JUVE Comment

This international technology-focused law firm is a challenger to the market leaders in France and handles patent infringement proceedings for a global client base. Bird & Bird stands out from most competitors for its high proportion of pan-European patent disputes. The Paris team has an advantage in that its IP team represent Bird & Bird in all European countries.

One good example is the litigation for Edwards Lifesciences against Meril in the international dispute over transcatheter heart valves. In Paris, the team recently enforced a seizure. Bird & Bird teams are also conducting the proceedings in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands – but not in the UK.

Overall, cooperation with the other offices still offers a great deal of potential for further referrals for the French team. The team led by Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan and Yves Bizollon could come up trumps with its broad technical experience.

Strengths

Well-oiled pan-European patent litigation in all technical fields.

European strategy

The French Bird & Bird team works almost exclusively in international cases and with its partner offices. The practice stepped up cooperation with the well-positioned Italian practice especially.

Cooperation with Bird & Bird’s German patent attorneys harbours potential for growth. This is because the French team is relatively small in the Bird & Bird cosmos. Its growth strategy seems reserved for an international firm in which the patent practice sets the tone. In Paris too, initial efforts are underway to establish dual-qualified lawyers. This move may make strategic sense as competition from mixed firms is growing in France.

Its litigation teams in Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Munich especially continue to operate at the top of the German market. The teams in Amsterdam and London are also strongly positioned. The well-respected office in Milan would put Bird & Bird in a good position if a UPC central division goes to Italy rather than London. As well as strong visibility in these important venues, the firm bolstered has its Madrid office with an additional patent partner.

Recommended individuals

Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan (“excellent litigator,” competitor), Yves Bizollon

Team

2 partners, 1 counsel, 12 associates, 1 of counsel

Specialties

Focus on patent litigation. Advice concerning patent strategies and licences and on the interface with antitrust.

Clients

Litigation: ABB (claimant) against GE Grid Solutions (GE) over high-voltage direct current converter stations; Alstom (defendant) against Bombardier over train wagons; Broadcom (defendant) against Intellectual Ventures over SEPs (public knowledge); Chavanoz (defendant) against Mermet over flame-retardant yarn blinds and curtains (Court of Appeal); Allergan (claimant) against Mylan over Bimatoprost; Edwards Lifesciences (claimant) against Meril over transcatheter heart valve; Life Scientific (defendant) against Syngenta over second application of azoxystrobin; Minakem (claimant) against Melchior over method for producing cyclopropane; Nespresso (defendant) against ECC over coffee capsules (Court of Appeal); Simtech (claimant) against Pronal over military tanks.