JUVE Comment

A respected firm in patent law, ABP uses a mixed approach. Unlike most of its competitors, ABP provides a full service in IP thanks to its speciality in both litigation and patent prosecution. The firm’s patent attorneys, who are registered at the EPO, handle patent filing but the firm also works with a network of external patent attorneys. ABP manages patent portfolios for its predominantly Austrian core clients through its own service company. One prominent example is Swarovski. These portfolios often give rise to infringement suits over technical IP rights. Oppositions and nullity suits are also part of ABP’s repertoire. On behalf of its international industrial clients, the firm increasingly coordinates international IP matters from Austria. For example, ABP recently advised a manufacturer of electrical parts on fighting counterfeits from Chinese companies. As a result, the firm has been steadily boosting its international presence for years. It maintains offices in Zurich and Munich, having lately bolstered the latter by hiring a fee earner. Its trademarks and unfair competition practice is well positioned in the market, albeit less present than its patent practice.

Strengths

Comprehensive patent advice and litigation.

Recommended individuals

Hannes Burger

Team

3 equity partners, 3 associates

Specialties

Patent portfolio management, oppositions, nullity and infringement suits. Comprehensive filing, administration and litigation practice in trademarks, as well as strategic advice.

Clients

Litigation: Pöttinger Landtechnik, Rehardt, Neutrik; Mühlböck on infringement suit over wood-drying plant; a manufacturer of electrical parts against Chinese counterfeits. Prosecution: filing for Atomic, Fill, Keba, Miba, Rosenbauer, Swarovski-Optik, Trumpf Maschinen; Swarovski Optik on EPO appeal over patent revocation; Coil Holding on defence against an opposition against reactor patent (all public knowledge).