Ana Rita Paínho

I am a Portuguese qualified lawyer with extensive experience in technology, data privacy, intellectual property and life sciences.

I advise global clients on cross-border matters, with a strong focus on digital innovation and emerging technologies skilled in navigating cutting-edge legal challenges, from AI and data governance to healthcare and IP protection, with a proven ability to deliver strategic, business-oriented solutions.

I have a track record of advising on assisting pharmaceutical and biotech clients with patent and SPC strategies, paediatric extensions, licensing, and regulatory exclusivities, often in coordination with EU and national authorities. In the technology and digital sectors, I have been advising clients for many years on software licensing, copyright enforcement, trademark protection, and IP due diligence in M&A and cross-border transactions. My experience also extends to managing IP disputes, on trademarks, patents and authorship rights. I have extensive experience in intellectual property, particularly in trademark protection and branding strategies. Combining legal advice and litigation experience both in IP and technologies helps me assisting clients concerning the strategic approach to their projects while previewing potential litigation scenarios in the protection of their IP assets.

Beyond traditional IP, I have integrated my knowledge of data protection and technology regulation, advising on the interface between IP and digital compliance — from database rights and data-sharing agreements to the impact of the AI Act, Data Act, and Digital Services Act on technology business models.

I regularly provide advice on EU and Portuguese regulatory frameworks, focusing on digital markets, AI, data governance, and innovation-driven sectors such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

My IP background enables me to help clients adopt a business-focused strategy while protecting their intellectual property and ensuring compliance.

• Legal assistance to an AI-driven retail tech company, from start-up to growth in autonomous store solutions. We advised on key contracts with major partners and on data protection matters, including impact assessments and processing agreements.
• Legal assistance to a major energy company and its group in negotiating and managing IT software and cloud service contracts with national and international providers, covering software, data protection, server location, warranties, and security terms
• Legal advice on the launch of a service for condominiums with electric vehicle charging points, enabling consumption monitoring, tariff setting, and payment management. Provided guidance on the related mobile app for access control, scheduling, and consumption tracking, ensuring compliance with privacy and consumer laws.
• Legal advice to an American provider of satellite communications solutions and internet services, holder of one of two licences for mobile satellite communications operations. The assistance includes security audits, gateway licensing, mandatory reporting and communications to ANACOM.