JUVE Comment

Working on multiple large-scale infringement proceedings, this Düsseldorf IP boutique established itself as one of the market leaders. The team around the two renowned partners Miriam Kiefer and Christof Augenstein boasts litigation experience in a broad range of sectors but is particularly well regarded for SEP litigation, including disputes over mobile communications and network technology for clients such as Ericsson and Centripetal. Currently, Augenstein represents Ona Patents in several proceedings over handset location technology. Kather Augenstein has also further strenthened its presence in the medical device sector with Kiefer acting for Canfield in the European-wide dispute against QuantifiCare. Beyond SEPs and medical technology, the firm’s technical breadth is demonstrated by litigation at German national courts for clients from other sectors, such as SEL Semiconductor Energy Laboratory over OLED technology and IGEPA in proceedings over non-slip floor foil.

In many of the high-profile cases the lawyers now regularly act for their clients in parallel series of proceedings at the UPC and national courts, such as for Ona Patents and Canfield. Even more of the firm’s litigation now takes place only at the European court. For example, the team represented Ericsson in a major SEP campaign against Transsion until the case settled in mid-2026 and the firm is at the forefront of the landmark UPC appeal proceedings for FujiFilm against Kodak. Thus, the firm’s centre of gravity is shifting decisively more to the UPC, where it is highly visible as one of the most active outfits.

The firm’s success, however, was met with a significant challenge: the departure of renowned litigator and SEP expert Christopher Weber, who left to launch his own firm. Furthermore, two experienced associates moved in-house. To address the changes in its team structure, the firm has promoted a new partner, bringing the total number of partners to four. Furthermore, Kather Augenstein appointed a new counsel and hired new associates, signalling its strategy to foster internal talent to maintain its capacity for complex litigation. The firm’s track record in cases that are playing out at both the national courts and the UPC means this growth is necessary. However, the boutique still lacks the manpower that bigger teams such as Arnold Ruess and Bardehle Pagenberg have. And it is likely to take some time and effort to fill the gaps in terms of experience left by those who have moved, particularly Weber.

Strengths

Litigation across a broad technical spectrum, especially mobile communications, automotive, and medical devices.

Recommended individuals

Christof Augenstein (“incredibly knowledgeable and a resolute advocate for his clients”, competitor), Peter Kather (“very experienced litigator”, “profound knowledge”, competitors), Miriam Kiefer (“trusted advisor”, client; “very good opponent”, “very well connected”, competitors)

Team

14 lawyers

Partner moves

Christopher Weber (to own firm)

Clients

Litigation: SEL Semiconductor Energy Laboratory against Huawei and Everdisplay over OLED; Ona Patents against Apple and Google over patents on determining location of handsets (partly settled); Centripetal Networks against Cisco, Palo Alto and Keysight over network security solutions (partly settled 2025); Glenmark against Mundipharma regarding damages in dispute over painkiller Targin (ended 2025); Coloplast against Hollister over urinary catheters; Canfield against QuantifiCare over 3D imaging; Omni-Pac against Hartmann Packaging over egg carton packaging; Roth Composite Machinery against GB Boucherie over special machine construction; IGEPA against Herr Schmich over non-slip floor foil (settled 2025); frequently for B. Braun Melsungen, Ericsson, Knorr-Bremse.