JUVE Comment

The well-established patent practice at DLA Piper continues to attract litigation work from clients in mechanics and electronics. One example was the successful litigation for new client SafeStand regarding innovative building products. The dispute has since expanded, with additional cases filed at the UK High Court in 2025. For long-standing client Dyson, the London team played a key role in matters concerning electronics, albeit in a coordinating and advisory capacity rather than through litigation. In the global dispute with SharkNinja, the team worked alongside the continental European practice in both national proceedings and at the UPC.

Unlike many UK competitors, the DLA team maintains a strong advisory practice, which accounts for approximately half of its work. This includes matters such as patent licensing work for Cancer Research, and advice to prominent electronics retailer Currys. In addition to litigation work, advice to Tonomus Neom on mobile communications standards kept the team around Deborah Bould busy.

The London practice now faces its own transition following similar changes in the German patent litigation team in 2024. Richard Taylor, who has focused primarily on advisory work in recent years, will retire in May 2025. However, DLA Piper has prepared for this change through a partner appointment. The patent litigation team remains well positioned with two experienced partners at the helm.

European set-up

The UK patent practice is an integral part of DLA Piper’s respectable pan-European practice, which has recently gained attention at the UPC. Although significantly smaller than patent teams at firms such as Freshfields or Bird & Bird, DLA Piper has made a strong start at the new court with several cases.

The German team led the firm’s work for Belkin in its SEP dispute with Philips over wireless chargers and Dyson over hair-cutting technology. However, the firm’s UPC work extends beyond the German practice. The Milan office represents Alpinestars in a case concerning protective motorcycle devices. In these proceedings, as well as for CAN and Airxcel, the Munich and Milan offices work closely together.

Nevertheless, there remains scope to expand collaboration with teams in Amsterdam, Paris, and the UK, especially as the London team is only involved in one UPC case. Previously a regular client of the firm’s UK arm, Dyson also instructed the young Munich team in UPC lawsuits. The patent practice’s work for the consumer goods manufacturer indicates that foundations for greater cooperation between London and continental teams are in place.

A British-German team also advises carmakers on SEP issues. However, particularly in this advisory segment and in pan-European pharmaceutical disputes, there remains significant room to develop joint work to catch up with established firms such as Freshfields or Bird & Bird.

Strengths

Litigation concerning mechanics and electronics patents.

Team

11 lawyers

Partner moves

Richard Taylor (retirement in May 2025)

Clients

Litigation: Safestand against Weston Homes over innovative building products. Advice: Dyson on coordination of global dispute with SharkNinja over hair-cutting technology (settled in 2024); ResMed on international patent licensing and transaction strategy; Unilever on patent and IP transactions; General Electric regarding patent-related issues in connection with spin-off of GE Vernova.