JUVE Comment

The IP practice of this Vienna-based firm is a leading outfit with a strong presence in almost all significant Austria-related pharmaceutical proceedings. It is the most renowned outfit throughout Austria and Europe for patent litigation. When it comes to trademarks and unfair competition, the lawyers are increasingly building a profile in advice to trademark owners. Nevertheless, its reputation for soft IP does not come close to the practice’s exceptional standing for patents and know-how protection. The team around Christian Gassauer-Fleissner, a luminary in Austrian patent law, consistently advises originators on important pharmaceutical patents, including how to extend their protection. To reduce the team to its extensive work in pharmaceuticals, however, would be a mistake. IT companies and traditional mechanics patents now also play a role. GF’s comprehensive advice to a manufacturer of safety controls for autonomous cars demonstrates how the younger partners are increasingly incorporating aspects of technology, copyright and IT law, as well as know-how protection, into their advisory services. Unlike other boutiques, the IP team under Christian Gassauer-Fleissner has already established the next generation of partners who are ready to follow in the senior partners’ footsteps, one example being Dominik Göbel. This younger generation is also developing their own business in soft IP and other patent-related areas. That said, the firm is constantly battling the revolving door, as indicated by the departure of a lawyer in mid-2018. Team stability is a necessity if GF is to branch out from its strong focus on patents.

Strengths

Strategic advice and litigation, specialisation in pharma patents, know-how protection.

Recommended individuals

Christian Gassauer-Fleissner (“an institution in Austrian patent law”, competitor), Dominik Göbel (“very dedicated and competent”, competitor).

Team

3 partners, 1 trainee lawyer

Specialties

Broad-based firm with a mainstay in IP. Clear focus on patent disputes. Strategic advice on protection rights, and increasingly know-how protection. Also works in licences, trademarks and unfair competition, product piracy, counterfeits and seizures. Pharma, medical products, consumer goods manufacturers. High proportion of international clients.

Clients

US pharma corporate on biosimilar for rheumatism treatment; European pharma corporate on Alzheimer’s drug; European pharma corporate on cancer treatment compound; UK pharma corporate on cancer treatment; Menarini on damages due to wrongly-issued injunction; AETS on patent infringement and payment claims (all public knowledge).