Every year the bimonthly magazine World Trademark Review honours leading in-house departments or groups through its Industry Awards. These awards are designed to recognize the vitally important work carried out by in-house trade mark counsel and to identify the teams and individuals that are performing their functions to the highest possible standards. The awards are divided into geographical, industry and individual categories, the winners being selected from nominations received from the global trade mark community.

The award for the category 'fashion and luxury team' is sponsored this year by MAQS Law Firm (the full list of categories and sponsors can be read here).  The nominated in-house teams in this section have a distinctive European flavour to them: Adidas, Gucci, L'Oréal, LVMH Group, plus Nike from the US. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on 19 May 2009, which coincides with the INTA Meeting in Seattle.