JUVE Comment

The patent team of this full-service law firm is very active in patent disputes in the mobile communications sector. The practice led by Munich partner Ralph Nack was again involved in numerous high-calibre proceedings, for example for Xiaomi and TCL. Clients in SEP disputes benefit from the strong links to Noerr’s antitrust practice.

In addition to mobile communications litigation, the practice has also made a name for itself in disputes concerning various complex technologies in other sectors, for example for Fluke concerning automatic image processing and pattern recognition or for Centripetal over network security solutions.

Noerr also sets itself apart from many pure legal teams in that the patent practice represents its clients not only in infringement but also nullity proceedings and oppositions, such as the recycling company PreZero at the EPO. Disputes over licensing and trade secrets also play a major role. Noerr also regularly advises on the drafting of R&D agreements and transactions.

In terms of staff, however, Noerr is treading water. Not only did the team recently lose an associate who moved in-house, but Nack remains the team’s only visible lawyer in the market.

European set-up

In recent years, the German law firm’s IP practice has cultivated close relationships with similarly positioned national outfits and independent boutiques, which have already proven their worth in cross-border disputes. For example, Noerr is coordinating the litigation for Centripetal Networks across four jurisdictions. At the UPC, clients are now also benefiting from these established contacts; for example, on behalf of AIM Sports Noerr is cooperating with Roschier from Sweden, Powell Gilbert from the UK and Rospatt from Germany at the UPC. The same applies to the cooperation with patent attorneys. For Centripetal, Noerr is working with the patent law firm MFG Meyer-Wildhagen Meggle-Freund Gerhard and in the case of AIM, the team is supported by Samson & Partner for technical issues. Noerr is likely to continue to rely on these established relationships when larger teams are required for more extensive UPC actions.

Strengths

Mobile communications litigation for implementers including SEP and FRAND issues. Licence agreements.

Recommended individuals

Ralph Nack (“seasoned litigator, solution-oriented advice”, “quick grasp of difficult technologies, you can trust his instincts”, competitors)

Team

8 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: AIM Sport Vision against Supponor and SportFive over ad overlays in TV broadcasts; TCL against LG over SEPs; Xiaomi against Crystal Clear Codec over SEP; Centripetal Networks against Cisco over network security solutions; Cambridge Mobile Telematics against Appy over technology for monitoring driver behaviour; Rembrandt Messaging Technologies against Apple over SMS technology; Edelmann Technology against Celli Nonwovens over printers; Fluke against Testo over automatic image processing and pattern recognition; Honor against VoiceAge over SEP; Joskin against Bomech over farming technology. Opposition: PreZero against Der Grüne Punkt over method for producing polyolefin recyclates (public knowledge).