fbpx

Gianfranco Dragotti

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed founder, Gianfranco Dragotti, on January 23, 2025, at the age of 86.

A pioneer in the field of intellectual property, Gianfranco embarked on his career at a remarkably young age while still at university. His journey began with translating patents for an IP firm in Rome, an experience that laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to excellence and innovation.

In 1978, he established Dragotti & Associati, transforming a boutique practice into a highly regarded firm recognized both nationally and internationally for its expertise in intellectual property rights, legal strategy, and innovation management.

Throughout his distinguished career, Gianfranco held numerous prestigious positions within the industry. He served as President of the Italian College of Industrial Property Consultants from 2004 to 2010 and, since 2015, led the Disciplinary Board of the Italian Industrial Property Consultants Institute. He was also a Council Member of the Industrial Property Consultants Institute (2010-2013), President of the AIPPI Standing Committee on PCT (2013-2016), and a longstanding member of the Executive Committee of AIPPI – Italian Group (1985-2004). His leadership extended beyond national borders through his active participation in FICPI, LES, and UNION, where he served as Vice President of the Italian Group.

Renowned for his technical expertise, Gianfranco was frequently appointed as a Technical Expert by the Courts of Milan, Venice, Trieste, Rome, Genoa, Bologna, and Turin, where he provided invaluable insights on complex legal and intellectual property matters. His contributions also extended into academia and journalism—he was a registered journalist from 1989 to 2019 and a trusted expert contributor to Il Sole 24 Ore’s L’esperto risponde column.

Beyond his professional achievements, Gianfranco was admired for his integrity, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to his colleagues, clients, and the broader IP community. His passion for intellectual property was truly inspiring, leaving a lasting impact on all those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Outside of his career, Gianfranco embraced life with energy and enthusiasm. He had a deep appreciation for the sea, literature, fine wine, and mixology. A skilled dancer with an innate sense of elegance and charm, he will be fondly remembered for the warmth and vitality he brought to every interaction.

His legacy of excellence, vision, and humanity will continue to shape the future of Dragotti & Associati and inspire generations to come.

He will be profoundly missed, but his influence will endure.