JUVE Comment

The patent litigation practice of this German full-service firm has carved out a solid reputation for representing clients within a broad technical spectrum. Technology-focused SMEs, such as Svakom, GEZE, and Bridgenorth Aluminum, continue to provide the team’s strongest foundation in patent litigation. For example, the team led by Matthias Sonntag represents Everlight as co-defendant in a damages dispute over LEDs for mobile devices and acts for Proctor & Gamble in proceedings over electric toothbrushes.

Leveraging its traditional strength in representing generic drug manufacturers in proceedings concerning pharma patents, biosimilars, and SPCs, the patent practice represents Hexal/Sandoz in a suit brought by Biogen involving a multiple sclerosis drug. Currently another biosimilar company is banking on Gleiss Lutz for the preparation of a lawsuit.

So far, the team does not operate at the forefront of the market in major mobile communications proceedings – even though it has experience in SEP and FRAND disputes and regularly advises clients from the sector, such as D-Link. Now the French telecommunication company Sagemcom has entrusted the team with its defence in a dispute over Wi-Fi 6 and 7. In addition, a team regularly advises automotive industry clients on SEP and FRAND issues.

After making its UPC debut representing TGI Supponor and Sportfive in a dispute regarding electronic perimeter advertising in sports stadiums, Gleiss Lutz is gaining momentum at the European court. Technology-focused SMEs such as CeraCon, Wilhelm Julius Teufel, and Westfalia Automotive have increasingly instructed the team to handle their UPC litigation.

While typical clients are often German, Japanese optics manufacturer Topcon now also relies on the practice in national and parallel UPC proceedings over ophthalmic technology against Polish competitor Optopol Technology. To strengthen its position at the UPC and in national litigation, Gleiss Lutz will need to expand its team. Developing a second partner appears the logical next step, following Noerr’s approach with two salary partners.

Strengths

Litigation concerning pharmaceuticals and for SME clients.

Recommended individuals

Matthias Sonntag (“highly competent in cross-border litigation”, client; “highly committed and competent”, “always great”, competitors), Herwig Lux

Team

8 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: Hexal against Biogen over MS drug Tecfidera/dimethylfumarate; Sagemcom against Huawei over SEPs for Wi-Fi 6 and 7, including FRAND; D-Link against Palmira over SEPs for wi-fi; Topcon against Optopol over optical devices; TGI Sport and Sportfive against AIM Sport over virtual advertising technology; Everlight Electronics against Nichia over damages in dispute over LED technology; GEZE against Dormakaba over door closing/opening systems; Bridgenorth Aluminum against Speira over lithography printing plate carriers; Svakom against EIS over pressure wave vibrator Pulse Pure (settled 2026); Procter & Gamble against Valutis over smart electric toothbrushes (settled 2025).