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Alan Adcock

Partner and Director, Intellectual Property

Biography

Alan Adcock is a partner and director in the Tilleke & Gibbins intellectual property and regulatory affairs groups, helping to oversee the firm’s client work in these areas across ASEAN. He is recognized as a leading intellectual property lawyer based on his handling of corporate IP matters, including licensing and acquisitions, and his knowledge in life sciences, fluency in Mandarin, and outstanding client service. Since 2005, Alan has received recognition by Asialaw Leading Lawyers as one of Asia’s leading business lawyers in the area of intellectual property, and he has been named a top IP lawyer in Thailand by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific  and WTR 1000.  Alan is also recognized as a leading IP strategist by IAM Strategy 300, an expert on patents in IAM Patent 1000, one of the world’s foremost life sciences practitioners by IAM Life Sciences 250, and a leading life sciences regulatory lawyer by Who’s Who Legal. He heads the firm’s regional life sciences practice alongside Wongrat Ratanaprayul, director of the firm’s Indonesia office, as well as the firm’s China desk, alongside Derrick Khoo.

Alan represents diverse clients, from pioneers in the life sciences to the biggest IP owners in the world, and helps them achieve the dual goals of profit and protection. He has extensive experience in IP acquisitions, strategic structuring, technology transfer, and IP licensing and securitization agreements. He has handled various IP infringements and regulatory infractions involving labeling, advertising, clinical trials, product handling/warehousing, product registration, taxation, and import/export violations across most of Asia.

Alan is also closely involved in Tilleke & Gibbins’ leading patent and trade secret litigation practice, focusing mainly on the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and material science sectors. He handles local pre-litigation strategy and litigation management for infringement and invalidation matters and works regularly with external counsel globally when strategic tasks or evidence issues reach outside Southeast Asia.

Alan serves as co-chair of the International Bar Association Healthcare & Life Sciences Law Committee and is on the International Division Steering Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising. He is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) Commercialization of Brands Committee and was recognized by INTA in 2016 and awarded their INTA Volunteer Service Award.

Alan is a past president of the Licensing Executives Society of Thailand. He is licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey and is admitted in the US District Courts of Southern and Eastern New York.

Experience

  • Conducted global intellectual property due diligence and advised on the transactional elements of a USD 60 million equity participation by an international energy company in a U.S. company specializing in biobased chemicals. The collaboration will result in the establishment of bio-succinic acid production plants using natural raw feedstocks such as tapioca, cassava, maize, and other agricultural inputs for the downstream manufacturing of bio-based plastics.
  • Assisted a client with a multijurisdictional acquisition of a major corn and palm oil brand with a deal value of USD 6,000,000, including the review and acceptance of the letter bid, preliminary due diligence, review of the disclosure statement, and the drafting, negotiation, and execution of the main acquisition agreement. We also provided all post-completion follow-up including trademark assignment recordals in more than 50 jurisdictions, release of various title encumbrances, transitional arrangements, rebranding, certification and labeling regulatory advice, and subsequent new agreements for supply and distribution.
  • Helped a multinational food company comply with Thai FDA requirements. Advised the client on advertising and promotional materials in Thailand, with particular emphasis on the requirements of the FDA and the consequences of improper ad content.
  • Acted on behalf of a major U.S.-based agrichemical manufacturer. The case involved termination of the client’s distributor for breach of contract and IP (patent and trademark) infringement. In addition, we represented the client in re-registration of its full range of products with the Thai Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Represented a leading producer of smartphones as its “point of contact” with all government authorities, which involved crafting an overall government relations strategy, establishing and cultivating relationships with officials, responding to government investigations, monitoring potential policy and regulatory developments, and seeking legislative and regulatory change on our client’s behalf. We have also structured appropriate and effective solutions to the business and legal challenges faced by our client.
  • Represented a multinational pharmaceutical company in its cancellation petition against a registered trademark based on the mark’s similarity to an International Nonproprietary Name (INN) issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Board of Trademarks withdrew the trademark.
  • Protected the intellectual property rights of a famous drug company in regard to an osteoporosis drug product passed off by another pharmaceutical company. The Supreme Court ordered the cancellation of the infringing party’s mark.
  • Represented a multinational pharmaceutical company in patent infringement litigation against a local generic company.  Managed a major pharmaceutical-related patent during a trial on patent infringement.
  • Acted as counsel to a major pharmaceutical company, which representation included liaising with the Thai FDA on marketing compliance issues, verifying that the client’s marketing activities were in compliance with the complex regulations governing pharmaceutical practice in Thailand, and preventing and mitigating risk and loss.
  • Represented a leading pharmaceutical company on regulatory due diligence in its spin-off of high revenue product lines (over the counter antihistamines, cough relief syrups, tablets and elixirs) to another pharmaceutical company.
  • Represented a multinational cosmetics manufacturer in negotiating a multi-million dollar tri-party agreement between the Department of Agriculture, a local Thai university, and the client to set up a joint research and development program for sourcing and uncovering botanical ingredients in Thailand for their new product range.
ABOUT Alan

Industries

Life Sciences

Practices

Antitrust and Competition

Corporate/M&A

Customs and International Trade

Intellectual Property

Regulatory Affairs

Location

Languages

    English

    Chinese

Education

    JD, Syracuse University College of Law/Columbia Law School

    MA, University of Hawai'i

    BA, Wingate College

Insights

December 9, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins is proud to announce that four litigation cases handled by the firm have been selected among the nine Distinguished Judgment Awards granted by Thailand’s Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court (IP&IT Court) for the period from October 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. This recognition highlights the complexity, novelty, and legal significance of these cases, which were chosen based on stringent criteria including new legal issues, high evidentiary volume, and intricate legal arguments. Among these four cases, one was singled out as the “Most Distinguished Judgment” – the landmark trademark squatting case involving the trademark rights of our client, Thailand’s largest state-owned energy conglomerate, and its subsidiary. In this case, the defendants had filed 52 trademark applications mimicking our client’s marks, making it the largest trademark squatting dispute in Thai history. On April 30, 2025, the IP&IT Court ordered the cancellation of multiple infringing trademarks, setting a benchmark for IP enforcement against trademark squatters in Thailand. The other three recognized cases demonstrate Tilleke & Gibbins’ breadth of expertise in IP litigation: Patent infringement and invalidation involving trade secrets misappropriation. Trade dress infringement of a unique packaging. Landmark Luckin Coffee case involving trademark infringement and invalidation. The IP&IT Court handles approximately 200 IP civil litigation cases each year, and our IP litigation team has typically been involved in 25–30% of them, reflecting our dominant role in shaping IP jurisprudence in Thailand.
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November 21, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed the Thailand chapter to Asia IP’s ASEAN Guide to IP Protection 2025, an annual reference covering key developments and practical considerations for intellectual property systems across Southeast Asia. The chapter offers an overview of Thailand’s current legal framework for the protection of trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and copyrights. It summarizes registration requirements, recent regulatory updates, and procedural considerations relevant to rights holders and practitioners. The chapter offers actionable insights for rights holders at every stage of the IP lifecycle and addresses practical strategies for managing portfolios, anticipating enforcement challenges, and maximizing the value of IP assets. The authors also highlight recent trends and developments in Thai IP law, ensuring that readers are equipped with the latest knowledge to inform their decisions. The complete Thailand chapter can be downloaded through the button below, and the chapter is also available on the Asia IP website.
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November 13, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed the Thailand chapter to Franchise 2026, part of the International Comparative Legal Guides (ICLG) series published by Global Legal Group. This annual guide offers comparative analysis of franchise laws and regulations across jurisdictions worldwide, providing practical insights for businesses and legal practitioners operating in the global franchise sector. Each country chapter in the 12th edition follows a Q&A format covering key aspects of franchise law and operations, including: Relevant legislation and rules governing franchise transactions Business organization options for franchised operations Competition law considerations Protection of intellectual property and brands Liability issues and risk mitigation Governing law and dispute resolution Real estate matters Online trading regulations Termination requirements Joint employer risks and vicarious liability Currency controls and taxation Commercial agency considerations Good faith obligations and fair dealing requirements Ongoing relationship management Franchise renewal processes Franchise migration procedures Sustainability commitments Electronic signatures and document retention Current developments in the franchise sector The Thailand chapter, authored by Alan Adcock and Kasama Sriwatanakul, provides an in-depth overview of the legal landscape for franchising and franchising-related activities in Thailand. The complete Thailand chapter is available as a PDF below. The Thailand chapter—and the full Franchise 2026 guide—are also freely available on the ICLG website.
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Awards & Rankings

August 13, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins is pleased to announce that three of the firm’s intellectual property practitioners have been recognized in the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists 2026, an annual guide published by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) that identifies the world’s leading experts in developing and implementing strategies to maximize the value of intellectual property portfolios. This year, Alan Adcock, Peeyakorn Suparugbundit, and Somboon Earterasarun were included in the prestigious rankings, which encompass leading professionals from law firms, corporations, research institutions, and universities around the world. The 2026 ranking marks Alan’s 16th consecutive inclusion in the IAM Strategy 300, reflecting his longstanding leadership and influence in intellectual property strategy. The recognition also represents a fourth consecutive ranking for Somboon, highlighting his continued success in helping clients maximize the value of their intellectual property assets. In addition, Peeyakorn’s first appearance in the guide recognizes her growing reputation and significant contributions to the profession. The IAM Strategy 300 is compiled through a rigorous research process involving confidential online nominations, interviews, and consultations with senior members of the global intellectual property community. To be included, individuals must receive nominations from at least three people outside their own organization, making the ranking a significant endorsement from peers and clients. The full list of ranked individuals is available on the IAM website.
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June 11, 2026
A total of 11 Tilleke & Gibbins intellectual property practitioners have been recognized in World Trademark Review‘s WTR Global Leaders 2026, an exclusive ranking of the world’s top trademark professionals. This marks an increase from eight practitioners in 2025 and highlights the strength and depth of the firm’s IP team across Southeast Asia. The firm’s recognized practitioners are: Cambodia David Mol Sokmean Chea Indonesia Wongrat Ratanaprayul (New ranking) Myanmar Yuwadee Thean-ngarm Thailand Alan Adcock Darani Vachanavuttivong Somboon Earterasarun Suebsiri Taweepon (New ranking) Nuttaphol Arammuang (New ranking) Vietnam Linh Thi Mai Nguyen Loc Xuan Le WTR Global Leaders draws on research from the WTR 1000 and WTR 300 to identify the very best trademark practitioners worldwide, bringing together a select group of professionals recognized for their expertise, insight, and contributions to the field. The full list of ranked individuals in the private practice category can be viewed here.
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June 10, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins was again recognized as a top-tier intellectual property law firm in Southeast Asia in the 2026 edition of Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars rankings Firm Rankings In this year’s firm rankings, Tilleke & Gibbins secured the following positions: Cambodia General IP – Recommended (top tier awarded for this category) Indonesia Patent – Tier 2 Trademark – Tier 2 Thailand Patent – Tier 1 Trademark – Tier 1 Vietnam Patent – Tier 1 Trademark – Tier 1 Individual Rankings In addition to the firm rankings, 12 Tilleke & Gibbins lawyers were recognized individually as IP Stars: Cambodia David Mol – Rising Star Sokmean Chea – Rising Star Indonesia Rochmali Zultan – Rising Star Wongrat Ratanaprayul – Patent Star, Trademark Star Thailand Alan Adcock – Patent Star, Trademark Star Darani Vachanavuttivong – Patent Star, Trademark Star Kasama Sriwatanakul – Rising Star Sukontip Jitmongkolthong –Trademark Star Vietnam Linh Duy Mai – Rising Star Linh Thi Mai Nguyen – Trademark Star Loc Xuan Le – Patent Star, Trademark Star Trung Nguyen – Trademark Star The annual IP Stars rankings are based on extensive independent research, including client and peer feedback, market analysis, and recent case highlights. For more information and to browse the full rankings, please see the IP Stars website.
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June 4, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has reinforced its position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading patent practices in the newly released IAM Patent 1000 2026, earning top-tier firm rankings in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, alongside 23 individual recognitions across the region. The firm achieved Gold rankings in Thailand and Vietnam and a Highly Recommended ranking in Indonesia—the highest tier available in the jurisdiction—highlighting the strength and consistency of its regional patent practice. This marks the firm’s 14th consecutive year in the top tier for Thailand, seventh consecutive year for Vietnam, and third straight year ranked among Indonesia’s leading firms. The firm’s strong regional performance is further reflected in the individual rankings, with the following Tilleke & Gibbins practitioners recognized for their expertise in patent law: Indonesia Irene Djalim Melinda Ambrizal Wongrat Ratanaprayul Thailand Alan Adcock Atthachai Homhuan Darani Vachanavuttivong Jakkrit Kuanpoth Napagate Triratana Nattriya Supmoon Nuttaphol Arammuang Peeyakorn Suparugbundit San Chaithiraphant Somboon Earterasarun Suebsiri Taweepon Sukontip Jitmongkolthong Wong Vorravitwattana Vietnam Dat Thanh Nguyen Giang Hoang Bach Hien Thi Thu Vu Hung Tuan Nguyen Linh Duy Mai Loc Xuan Le Thanh Phuong Vu The IAM Patent 1000 identifies the world’s leading patent firms and practitioners through extensive qualitative research based on feedback from clients, peers, and industry stakeholders. For more details, please see the IAM Patent 1000 rankings for Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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