JUVE Comment

This pure patent attorney firm from Stuttgart remains excellently positioned in litigation for German SMEs. The traditional patent attorney firm has extensive experience in litigation across a broad technical spectrum, especially nullity actions and EPO oppositions related to mechanical engineering, mechanics, and electronics.

Due to their strong roots in the technology-driven SME sector, patent attorneys have recently been significantly more active in UPC proceedings than in the court’s first two years. Their litigation experience, close ties with regular clients, and strong links with several law firms such as Hoyng ROKH Monegier form the basis for this work. This is demonstrated, for example, by an extensive series of UPC proceedings for Freelock against BOA Technologies concerning a fitting system for sports shoes, or by their representation of the prosthetics manufacturer Wilhelm Julius Teufel.

However, unlike firms such as Thum & Partner or Cohausz & Florack, the Stuttgart-based firm does not focus as heavily on UPC cases and is therefore currently most prominent in national litigation and EPO proceedings. Its ongoing EPO opposition work for e-cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris and wound dressing manufacturer Paul Hartman stands out.

Recently, the firm has also invested in its own future and strengthened its mid-level ranks by appointing two non-equity partners from within its own ranks. It recruited a third non-equity partner from Hoffmann Eitle. Dreiss also regularly facilitates generational change amongst its equity partners – this year through a new appointment from its own ranks in its core practice area of mechanics and material sciences.

Strengths

Patent litigation in engineering, mechanics, and electronics with a focus on medical devices companies and automotive suppliers.

Recommended individuals

Alexander Bulling, Andreas Pfund (“highly competent and always responds very quickly”, competitor), David Sinz, Klaus Thielking (all patent attorneys)

Team

21 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: Barberan against Hymmen over industrial printing technology; BPW Bergische Achsen against various competitors over car parts technology; Ersa against competitors over soldering machines; Koroyd and Lloyd against Burton and over ski and snowboarding helmets; LPR – La Palette Rouge against PAKI Logistics over logistics and packaging technology; MTS Maschinentechnik Schrode in nullity suit over construction machinery; Philip Morris against British American Tobacco and Nivoventures over e-cigarettes; frequent litigation for Robert Bosch and Essity. EPO oppositions: C & K Components SAS over mechanical engineering and automotive; Gretsch-Unitas over mechanical engineering; Paul Hartmann over medical technology.