JUVE Comment

The patent attorneys at this Munich IP boutique provide comprehensive services to international clients in prosecution, litigation, nullity proceedings and EPO oppositions. They frequently collaborate with the firm’s own lawyers in infringement proceedings. Long-standing clients such as Credit Card Supplies and Liebherr rely on their mixed team, while others like Fresenius Medical Care engage solely with the patent attorneys’ technical expertise. The firm’s core work comes from regular clients, predominantly SMEs, for litigation matters.

The firm maintains strong connections in Japan and Korea through its prosecution practice, working with clients such as car manufacturer Mazda and Korean conglomerate SK Group. Recently, it has strengthened relationships with Chinese companies, including train manufacturer CRRC and battery maker CATL. Lorenz Seidler Gossel also maintains excellent traditional connections in the automotive sector, notably with Ford.

European set-up

As a national IP boutique, LSG’s involvement in international disputes typically occurs when its SME-dominated client base pursues proceedings before German courts. This pattern extended to UPC proceedings, where the Munich firm was absent in the new court’s first months. However, the firm now benefits from the UPC’s increasing appeal to medium-sized companies taking action against competitors.

LSG currently handles four UPC cases across diverse technologies. It represents Pharma activa in a PI case against G. Pohl-Boskamp regarding lice treatment. The firm also defends Shanghai VacDrain Vacuum Drainage Equipment and Surftown against UPC lawsuits concerning vacuum cleaners and wave generator control technology, respectively. Not all cases involve long-standing clients. For instance, Wirtgen initially registered a patent for road milling machines with another firm before instructing Lorenz Seidler Gossel to pursue litigation at the Munich local division. The firm’s mixed approach and proximity to the Munich local division are proving advantageous.

Strengths

Litigation with mixed teams.

Recommended individuals

Uwe Herrmann (“great technical expertise in medical technology”, client), Dieter Laufhütte (“extensive litigation expertise”, client; both patent attorneys)

Team

11 patent attorneys, 1 lawyer

Clients

Litigation: Credit Card Supplies against Bundesdruckerei and VTT regarding ID technology patent; Fresenius Medical Care against Nipro over dialysis technology; Liebherr against competitor over construction machines; Steuber against Hozelock over extendable garden hoses. EPO oppositions: MEG Weißenfels against Evian over PET water bottles; Sisto Armaturen against GEMÜ over RFID chips in membrane valves; frequent oppositions for Liebherr over excavation machinery.