Mușat & Asociații este întotdeauna cu un pas înainte în ceea ce privește evoluția cadrului legislativ și a mediului de afaceri, anticipând nevoile clienților și acționând că un deschizător de drumuri în domeniu.

Practice areas

Intellectual Property
Competition & Antitrust
European Union Law
State Aid
Mergers & Acquisitions/Privatisations
Litigation & Arbitration
Healthcare & Pharma

Ph.D. in Law and Lecturer with the “Nicolae Titulescu” Faculty of Law, Paul Buta has over 20 years of legal experience, being specialized in Competition Law, Intellectual Property and Civil & Commercial Litigation.

He was involved in complex projects, providing legal assistance to a significant portfolio of international clients on issues pertaining to competition and IP and on regulatory issues in various sectors, including highly regulated ones such as the life sciences sector.

As one of Romania’s most highly regarded IP professionals, he boasts a wealth of experience accumulated over the last two decades. A certified patent, trademark, designs and semiconductor products attorney, Paul’s IP expertise covers all aspects relating to prosecution and portfolio strategy. He has also been involved in some of the most notable IP litigations heard in Romanian courts.

Paul is also renowned for his expertise in the field of tax litigation and international commercial arbitration, particularly for his strategic analysis and the innovative solutions applied in the successful management of litigation matters.

  • Studies
  • Spoken languages
  • Qualifications & Career
  • Mandates
  • Affiliations
  • Awards
  • Appreciations
  • Legal experience: 19 years
  • Experience within Mușat & Asociații: 12 years
  • Managing Partner: 2021 – to date
  • Deputy Managing Partner: 2018 – 2020
  • Partner: 2016 – 2018
  • Managing Associate: 2013 – 2016
  • Senior Associate: 2012 – 2013
  • (2011) - Fully qualified lawyer, Bucharest Bar
  • (2009) - Admitted as lawyer, Bucharest Bar
(2014) – Ph.D (Summa cum laudae), Intellectual Property Law, Nicolae Titulescu University, Bucharest
(2014) – LL.M. (Merit) (University College London, Queen Mary’s College) in Intellectual Property Law, University of London
(2013) – Pg. Dip., International Business Law (Distinction), University of London
(2013) – Pg. Cert., Commercial and Corporate Law (Distinction), University of London
(2007) – M.A., European Affairs and Programme Management, Faculty of International Relations and European Studies, Babeș-Bolyai University
(2005) – LL.B, Nicolae Titulescu University, Faculty of Law
(2004) – B.A., Political Science, Faculty of Political Science, University of Bucharest
  • English
  • French
  • Italian
  • Romanian

Advised one of the largest international developers of electronic products, computer software, online services and personal computers, in respect of the intellectual property rights related to the launch of the music and video services store, one of the largest in the world.

Advised a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and systems company (and its Romanian subsidiary), in connection with a patent infringement case (including ancillary proposals, such as preliminary actions and customs interventions), initiated in several jurisdictions around the world, by a renowned patent troll.

Advised a leading European telecommunications provider, in connection with the protection of its trademark portfolio in Romania against third part infringement of its reputed trademarks in Romania, including the Magenta colour trademark owned by the Client.

Advised one of the largest German producers of machinery used in the wood processing industry, for the purposes of securing protection over its patent portfolio in Romania.

Advised a major Romanian FMCG producer, in two disputes regarding the infringement of its trademark, designating the leading brand on the Romanian nuts & seeds market, as well as the industrial design model related to such trademark.

Advised the subsidiary of a large international producer of medicines, which carries out innovative research activities for human health, in respect of the registration with the Romanian Trademarks Office of several trademarks, serving as lead message bearers in a promotional campaign for anti-vertigo innovative medicines. The mandate covered the entire registration procedure and the liaison with the Trademarks Office.

Advised one of the leading weaponry and war ammunition producers worldwide in an antitrust investigation regarding alleged bid rigging in a tender procedure for purchase of infantry ammunition and optical devices organized by a Romanian Ministry.

Advised one of the biggest global players in pharma in connection with the investigations and dawn raids conducted by the Romanian Competition Council on certain markets, as well as with various competition issues deriving from the distribution agreements concluded with their wholesale distributors.

  • Member of the Scientific Association for Intellectual Property Law, since 2007
  • Academic Member of the International Trademark Association – INTA, since 2008
  • Member of the Romanian Bar Association, since 2009
  • Member of the Romanian Chamber of Industrial Property Counsellors, since 2010
  • Member of the Board of the Society of Romanian Authors and Editors of Scientific Works – PERGAM, since 2010
  • Member of the Ligue Internationale du Droit de la Concurrence, since 2015
  • Founding Member of the Romanian Association of Competition Law, since 2022
  • Member of the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, 2007-2015
  • Ranked as IP Star, IP Stars, 2023
  • Featured in IAM 1000 as Recommended Individual, IAM Patent, 2023
  • Band 2 in Intellectual Property, Chambers & Partners Europe, in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
  • Band 4 in Competition and Antitrust, Chambers & Partners Europe, in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
“Paul George Buta's wide-ranging expertise covers trademark portfolio management and IP rights agreements. He often represents clients in IP litigation and counterfeiting claims.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023 – Intellectual Property
“Paul George Buta of Mușat & Asociații frequently defends clients in Romanian Competition Council investigations, as well as representing them in appeals against fines imposed by the Council. He also advises on the compliance aspects of distribution agreements.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023 – Competition / Antitrust
“Paul Buta is a top IP lawyer, with an academic background, who can provide innovative solutions applying the most recent insights and having a very strategic approach, planning well ahead and thinking about all possible risks.”
Legal 500, 2022 – Intellectual Property
One client praises Paul Buta for “the skills and capacity to handle complex matters”: “He was open to understanding the very complicated workings of the project and has provided valuable input throughout. I especially liked that he can think in terms of not only intellectual property, media and advertising law, but also in terms of liability to the business as it is supposed to operate. He is mindful of all risks that can appear and always finds a way to make it happen”.
Legal 500, 2022 – Intellectual Property
Paul George Buta is "an expert in negotiations and at anticipating the next move of the opposite party, and knows all the technicalities and methods to settle even the most difficult and sensitive legal matters", a client says, adding that "he always gives innovative but clear solutions."
Chambers & Partners, 2022 – Intellectual Property/TMT
“Paul is a very good lawyer who always provides business-focused solutions in a clear and comprehensive manner, straightforward and consistent with our intentions, which is essential. He has an impressive number of professional achievements in all kinds of IP litigations and has a particularly analytical and strategic thinking, which helps us with complex legal problems on the market. In our opinion, the fact that he is also a professor of law and his experience in all fields of IP and competition make him a great practitioner, an excellent strategist and one of the most valuable lawyers in Romania.”
Legal 500, 2022 – Intellectual Property
“Paul Buta is very meticulous and strategic in his analysis, always available and on-top of all facets of the matter. He knows both the law and the facts inside-out and is always evaluating improving our position.”
Legal 500, 2022 – EU & Competition
“We have worked directly with Paul Buta, who has provided us with very good analysis of the case and has created a very detailed and complete strategy for the whole proceedings. He can bring a lot to the table: academic credentials, a scientific and up-to-date knowledge of the legal arguments and of the particulars of the market, a business-oriented mind, attention to detail and a flair for long-term strategies.”
Legal 500, 2022 – Dispute Resolution
Paul Buta “is outstanding at all times. He has an excellent knowledge on intellectual property and a great capacity of synthesizing. Always up to date and open for calls and quick updates.”
Legal 500, 2022 – Intellectual Property
“Paul Buta is best suited for highly complex matters. His attention to detail and master chess-like planning allows detailed strategies to be developed from the beginning so nothing can catch him off-guard. Never sweetens the pill but you know from the start what are the realistic expectations and can plan accordingly.”
Legal 500, 2022 – Dispute Resolution
Clients praise Paul Buta for his "very useful and innovative suggestions".
Chambers & Partners, 2021 – Intellectual Property/TMT
“Paul George Buta is a very talented litigator with a sharp mind and an in-depth knowledge of competition law. His drafting style and oratorical skills are absolutely impressive. In court hearings he constantly maintains the judges’ attention, which is difficult, and takes them through the story of the case.”
Legal 500, 2021 – Dispute Resolution
“Paul Buta is an excellent strategist with deep knowledge of IP, EU and competition law and a very good negotiator. He is a top lawyer that should be recommended to all clients that need innovative and professional advice.”
Legal 500, 2021 – Intellectual Property
“Paul Buta is both a litigator and a consultant, which means that the strategy devised at the beginning was followed throughout the project. He is also excellent at strategy, planning ahead and taking everything into consideration. He is also always open to learning new things, like the technical issues in our project, which makes working with him easier.”
Legal 500, 2021 – EU & Competition
Client enthuse about Paul Buta's "quick response and hands-on approach," describing him as a "passionate litigator who knows the game inside-out."
Chambers & Partners, 2020 – Competition / Antitrust
“Paul Buta is an experienced litigator with an extraordinary capacity to provide analysis and innovative solutions.”
Legal 500, 2020 – Dispute Resolution
“Paul Buta is an exceptional litigator, and very involved and dedicated to his clients.”
Legal 500, 2020 – EU & Competition
Paul Buta "does a lot of contingency planning, which means that he can respond quickly to any changes".
Chambers & Partners, 2019 – Competition / Antitrust
According to clients, Paul Buta is "good in litigation".
Chambers & Partners, 2019 – Intellectual Property
Clients say Paul Buta "always manages to stay cool and calm in any circumstances".
Chambers & Partners, 2018 – Intellectual Property