JUVE Comment

The mixed team at this large IP firm has established itself as a challenger in the patent litigation market. A substantial number of SMEs and international companies instruct the team on prosecution work and, increasingly, litigation. Recent highlights include the firm’s representation of Headwater against Samsung in a case concerning mobile communications. The firm is also currently handling multiple strands of proceedings for clients such as Philips.

The firm continues to defend the rights of its medium-sized prosecution clients regularly before national courts. This work is now being carried out by rising home-grown talent such as Sönke Scheltz and new arrivals Philipp Rastemborski and Florian Henke, who have earned the trust of long-standing prosecution clients in litigation matters. They work closely with the firm’s large team of patent attorneys, with several young up-and-comers having significantly enhanced their reputation and market standing, particularly through UPC cases.

However, the firm’s headcount remains unsettled. Michael Schneider and two lawyers have moved to competitors, although the young talent in the litigation team is well positioned to mitigate the impact of these departures.

The firm has successfully integrated its new recruits into the five-strong life sciences team led by partners Martin Nohlen and André Guder, thereby dynamically expanding into a new technical field.

Overall, this has driven dynamic growth in the firm’s prosecution work, partly through new clients in other fields, such as for Quantum and Pierburg/Rheinmetall.

Strengths

Litigation for patent holders (including various NPEs) in mobile communications, including SEPs and FRAND, as well as mechanics, electronics and medical devices. Increasing high-profile prosecution in chemicals and life sciences.

Recommended individuals

Sönke Scheltz (“impressive”, competitor), patent attorneys: Jochen Ehlers, Klaus Göken, Joachim von Oppen, Manuel Söldenwagner

Team

6 lawyers, 55 patent attorneys

Partner moves

Michael Schneider, Philipp Neels (both to Taylor Wessing)

Clients

Litigation: Headwater against Samsung over mobile communications; Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology against Asus over Wi-Fi 6; Philips against Belkin over wireless charging; Philips against Synaptics and Google over audio-video interfaces; Philips against Ningbodaliaowenhua, Replab, and MJCM over razors; Mala against Cisco over networks; ACO against Hauraton over heavy-load drainage systems; Shenzen Woody Vapes against Pixan Oy over controls for e-cigarettes; Veridium IP against Identy over AI-based biometric fingerprint recognition; Symrise against Stada over sunscreen; Silimed against Polytech Health & Aesthetics over manufacturing process for breast implants; Siegfried against Zentiva over blood-pressure-lowering drug Caramlo. EPO oppositions: Belparts against IMI Hydronic Engineering over electronic valves for heating and cooling systems; Nordson against Baumer over glue application devices.