JUVE Comment

There has been a marked shift in balance at this Viennese IP firm since founding partner Michael Horak left for Binder Grösswang in June 2019. He boasts an excellent reputation in trademarks and copyright law but is only sporadically active in patent law. Sascha Salomonowitz, on the other hand, is the firm’s patent expert. He now leads his broad-based international IP practice under his own name with the remaining team. The Austrian IP market was taken by surprise when the two partners decided to go their separate ways – both are highly-renowned figures on the scene. The split is said to be down to fundamental strategic differences. That said, the two partners’ business was never particularly integrated, which led to an easier separation. A typical example of Salomonowitz’s work is his advice to an Austrian manufacturer of children’s bicycles on trademarks and know-how protection during the company’s international expansion. Now that he is the only partner, the boutique’s structure is hierarchical and partner-heavy. Eventually, more junior lawyers will be needed to meet the demands of international clients and handle the workload.

Recommended individuals

Sascha Salomonowitz (“very good patent lawyer”, competitor)

Team

1 equity partner, 1 associate, 3 trainee lawyers

Partner moves

Michael Horak (to Binder Grösswang)

Specialties

Trademarks, design law and fair trading (incl. product imports), patent litigation and know-how protection. Sectors: pharma (originators), food, consumer goods and IT industry.

Clients

US pharma corporate on infringement suit over biosimilar; manufacturer of solar panels against import of counterfeits.