JUVE Comment

This small, full-service firm has a large IP team with a strong reputation which is a challenger to the market leaders. Patent litigation is the traditional cornerstone of the practice, where name partner Mollet-Viéville and the younger Thomas Cuche draw attention for their work in high-profile disputes and are praised for their strategic advice. The renowned team is active in all technical fields. Besides a strong focus on patent litigation, Cuche has carved out a good name for advice on trade secrets. DTMV is frequently seen in high-stakes, complex pharma proceedings, mainly on the originator side. With litigation for two large players in the mobile communications sector in major disputes before the French courts, the firm underscored its position in this hard-fought sector, too. DTMV also provides advice and litigation in other fields, including automotive, medical devices and electronics. Long-standing contacts within a best-friend network in other countries are an asset and generate a great deal of international work, particularly from the US and Germany. Similarly to other large teams like Gide, Casalonga or Allen & Overy, DTMV has the manpower to handle large patent disputes for notable international clients. However, the influx of new clients and the rise in work make further headcount growth inevitable.

Strengths

Litigation related to electronics, mechanics and pharmaceuticals.

European strategy

The firm works with an established network of European firms in the central patent countries Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy and Spain. These deliver a steady stream of new clients with frequent referrals. But despite contacts nurtured over many years, DTMV competes like many French firms with other similarly positioned national boutiques who are drawing on the same pool of international firms to position themselves more internationally with a view to large pan-European proceedings.

Recommended individuals

Thierry Mollet-Viéville, Thomas Cuche (“very good, especially in trade secrets”, competitor; “very good lawyers with excellent strategic skills”, competitor about both)

Team

5 partners, 6 associates

Specialties

All-round IP activity with a strong focus on patent litigation and advice on licences, patent strategy and trade secrets.

Clients

Litigation: US originator manufacturer (defendant) against Asian/US competitor over HIV drug; German medical device supplier (claimant) against US competitor over procedures for detecting infections; originator manufacturer (claimant) against generics manufacturer over SPC; major technology company (defendant) against US submetering system company over smart energy technology; mobile communications manufacturer (defendant) against non-practising entity concerning FRAND.