JUVE Comment

The IP team at this full-service firm boasts a high profile in the market thanks to the excellent reputation of Christof Pöchhacker. The work of the practice is divided into two parts. While competitors often praise the litigation in soft IP, including copyright and data protection, the work in patents and know-how protection is predominantly transaction-related – and low profile. FBD advises intensively on R&D cooperations; as a result, the younger lawyers are currently little known in the market. In both fields, however, the team is active for long-standing, major IP clients – and frequently in cooperation with the German offices. For example, the practice teamed up with Düsseldorf lawyers to represent Plasser & Theurer in an important dispute concerning know-how protection. FBD litigates on behalf of its core clients in fundamental and economically important cases. However, the established cooperation with the German IP lawyers holds potential for synergies in patent litigation, as the German lawyers are involved in many international disputes. Pharmaceutical-related suits usually feature Austrian elements. The generational change is a good opportunity for younger FBD lawyers to make a name for themselves in patent litigation. This is particularly because it is by no means a given that long-standing clients at firms such as Wiltschek Plasser and Schönherr, where a generational change is also pending, will follow the younger lawyers.

Strengths

Arbitration and infringement litigation.

Recommended individuals

Christof Pöchhacker (“have worked with him for many years. He has a lot of experience, a global network and is highly competent”, client)

Team

1 partner, 1 counsel, 1 associate, 1 trainee lawyer

Specialties

Trademarks, design law and fair trading. Also patent infringement suits, increasingly advice on know-how protection. Well-integrated in the M&A practice. Advice on the interface with IT. Clients predominantly large international companies.

Clients

Plasser & Theurer in dispute on know-how protection; LG Electronics on acquisition of ZKW; investment company on R&D cooperations and licences in the pharma sector; Austrian manufacturer on R&D cooperation in industrial printing; private equity fund on protection of know-how during acquisition.