JUVE Comment

The German patent litigation team operates within a globally integrated full-service firm with a strong IP focus. The German practice attracts clients of varying sizes from Europe, the US, and Asia, with clear specialisations in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and automotive suppliers. A current highlight among the firm’s instructions, in which the German practice plays a significant role, is the representation of SAP and BioMarin at the UPC. The extensive litigation portfolio for Lufthansa also continues. Indeed, the work for Lufthansa Technik demonstrates how international cooperation within Jones Day, particularly with teams in France, Italy, the UK, and the US, proves highly effective in electronics and mechanics. However, the firm rarely appears in the most commercially significant mobile communications disputes. Compared with competitors such as DLA Piper, Jones Day’s German practice attracts high-profile cases much less frequently.

The patent attorneys and lawyers maintain equally strong positions and typically collaborate on cases. They regularly represent key clients in major EPO oppositions.

The firm now effectively leverages this experience at the UPC through new instructions: acting for SAP against Celonis and, more recently, for Vibrantz against Heraeus at the Court of Appeal. These clients demonstrate the practice’s potential at the UPC. Overall, the firm maintains a substantial client base of US and Asian companies receptive to litigation at the new court. However, the team’s current profile remains lower and less dynamic than that of competitors such as A&O Shearman.

Strengths

Pharma proceedings for originators. Very strong US practice.

Team

11 lawyers, 10 patent attorneys, 2 dual-qualified

Clients

Litigation: Lufthansa Technik against Astronics, Schwind eye-tech-solutions against Ivis Technologies over corneal lamellar grafting transplantation. EPO oppositions: Crage medical against straw man over CAR-T therapy against cancerous tumours; Puma Biotechnology against Hexal over breast-cancer drug Nerlynx; regular oppositions for Motherson Group and Akebia.