JUVE Comment

This firm enjoys a strong market image and sets itself apart from the competition with close cooperation between lawyers and patent attorneys. The patent attorneys are EPO-qualified and are based at the Munich office. Work centres on a growing patent filing practice on the one hand and solid trademark administration activity on the other. Patent prosecution work frequently gives rise to litigation. Mittelstand clients from a variety of sectors, most of whom are active internationally, trust in the firm for mechanical and electronics patents in particular.

The team is also well positioned in trademarks and unfair competition, with formal trademark law setting the tone for litigation work.

In Germany, the Austrian law firm is increasingly developing its own profile in order to capture local business there as well. In 2021 ABP Burger recruited a lawyer from market-leading IP boutique Rospatt Osten Pross in Düsseldorf as its new head of litigation, and as managing partner of the Munich office. With this addition, ABP Burger is now operating with one patent attorney, as well as four other lawyers, in the German market.

Strengths

Comprehensive patent advice and litigation. Besides Munich, the firm has a closely integrated Swiss branch. ABP also works with a wide, informal network of firms in Europe, especially in patents.

Recommended individuals

Hannes Burger

Team

3 equity partners, 3 associates, 1 trainee lawyer

Specialties

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

Clients

Litigation: Rehart (claimant) in infringement proceedings and nullity suit over fish lift; Mühlböck in EPO oppositions; Swarovski Optik in EPO appeal proceedings concerning patent revocation. Prosecution: Filing for Atomic, Fill, Keba, Miba, Rosenbauer, Swarovski Optik, Trumpf Maschinen (all public knowledge).