Manana Pruidze, LL.M.

Senior Intellectual Property Counsel | Attorney at Law

Ms. Manana Pruidze is an accomplished IP lawyer and expert with over 22 years of high-level experience in intellectual property law, legal reforms, and international cooperation. Before entering private practice, she held senior leadership roles at the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia (Sakpatenti), serving as Deputy Chairperson, Acting Chairperson and a long-standing Member of the Chamber of Appeals.

Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Manana Pruidze has been a central figure in shaping Georgia’s IP landscape. She successfully negotiated critical international agreements, including the IP chapter of the EU-Georgia DCFTA and the Validation Agreement with the European Patent Office (EPO). Her expertise is particularly sought in the areas of Geographical Indications (GIs), trademarks, and enforcement strategy. She served as the Chairperson of the GI subcommittee under both the Georgia–EU and Georgia–UK Free Trade Agreements.

As Senior Intellectual Property Counsel, Ms. Pruidze serves as the GVARAMADZE IP LAW FIRM’s primary architect for international IP strategy and complex regulatory compliance. Leveraging her extensive background as the former Deputy Chairperson of Sakpatenti, Ms. Pruidze delivers a comprehensive suite of legal services, merging "insider-level" strategic oversight with the full spectrum of legal consultancy. She manages every phase of the IP lifecycle - from preliminary clearance and filing strategies to navigating the technical complexities of the Georgian IP system.

Furthermore, she is a skilled advocate in the judicial arena, providing direct representation in both administrative and civil courts, as well as in contentious proceedings before the Chamber of Appeals. Her dual expertise in policy and litigation ensures that clients' assets are not only strategically registered but robustly defended through all levels of the Georgian legal system.

Her role is pivotal for international enterprises seeking to enter the Georgian market, as she oversees the legal frameworks for European Patent Validations—a system she personally helped negotiate at the state level. She bridges the gap between high-level policy and private enforcement, ensuring that our clients' assets are not only registered but robustly protected against infringement through her deep connections with international enforcement networks.

Strategic Functions:

International Strategy & Negotiations: Expert in negotiating bilateral and multilateral agreements and aligning national legislation with EU acquis and international standards.
IP Enforcement Coordination: Facilitated the establishment of the IP Enforcement Coordination Council and advises on cross-agency enforcement strategies involving customs and police.
Administrative & Judicial Advocacy: Over 20 years of experience coordinating the work of the GPO Chamber of Appeals, drafting decisions, and litigating contentious IP cases before Georgian courts.
Specialized Training: Delivers professional training and capacity-building programs for legal practitioners and enforcement officers on copyright, GIs, and IP compliance.

Professional Milestones

National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia (Sakpatenti):

Deputy Chairperson / Acting Chairperson: 2017 – 2023
Head of Legal & International Affairs: 2007 – 2017
Member of Chamber of Appeals: 2009-2023
Legal Expert: | 2003 – 2007

Professional Credentials & Education

Education: Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property from the University of Turin and the World Intellectual Property Organization Academy (WIPO) (2021-2022). Master of Law from Tbilisi State University (2003).
Certifications: Certified by the Georgian Bar Association in Civil Law (member since 2003).
Academic Leadership: Certified Tutor for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Academy and the Sakpatenti Training Centre.
International Leadership: Member of the Georgian National Group of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI).
Languages: Georgian, English and Russian.