JUVE Comment

This German IP firm is well positioned for patent disputes due to its close collaboration between patent attorneys and lawyers. The firm’s large prosecution client base – primarily technology-focused SMEs – regularly turns to it for comprehensive litigation. Notable examples include work for C&E Fein, Robert Bosch and Zimmer MedizinSysteme, which has now led to the firm’s first UPC litigation.

The firm’s intensive work for clients such as BMW, Opel, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eastman Chemical, Fresenius Medical Care, Merck and Merz in patent prosecution and EPO oppositions showcases its expertise in the automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Above all, the firm’s active opposition work forms the foundation for its patent attorneys’ extensive litigation experience.

European set-up

While this independent IP firm boasts a well-established team of patent attorneys and lawyers for litigation, it has historically been more involved in national litigation than pan-European proceedings. Although the lawyers have raised their profile in recent years, the much larger team of patent attorneys remains better known. UPC litigation could offer the firm a valuable opportunity to significantly enhance its overall litigation profile. Competitors such as Bardehle Pagenberg and Vossius & Partner have more aggressively leveraged the new court to attract fresh business.

For a time, Wallinger Ricker Schlotter Tostmann had not been retained for UPC proceedings. However, its first UPC lawsuit for long-standing clients C&E Fein and Robert Bosch against Alibaba demonstrates that the firm’s future in UPC litigation likely lies in representing established clients from the innovative SME sector. The firm also represents these two clients in numerous national and EPO proceedings.

Strengths

Litigation predominantly for the automotive sector. Pharmaceuticals patents.

Recommended individuals

Christiane Maxien, Mathias Ricker (both patent attorneys)

Team

24 patent attorneys, 4 lawyers

Partner moves

Michael Platzöder (to own firm)

Clients

Litigation: C&E Fein and Robert Bosch against Coram Tools over saw blades; Swisslog against competitor over automatisation technology for logistics centres; frequent litigation for Archroma, Doka, Zimmer MedizinSysteme. EPO oppositions: Nippon Shokubai against LG Chem over ultra-absorbent polymets; Merz against Alergan over aesthetic pharmaceuticals; Eastman against PPG over coatings for beverage cans; straw man against Novartis over process for purifying proteins (some public knowledge).