JUVE Comment

Litigation for life sciences and telecoms clients has in recent years consolidated the position of this national firm’s IP team as a challenger to the market leaders. Renowned partner Thomas Cuche advised Gilead on the French proceedings of a pan-European battle against ViiV Healthcare over an HIV drug. It is currently, however, a steady stream of work from national laboratories as well as companies from such varied fields as construction, automotive and household/entertainment electronics that is keeping the practice busy. The opening of an office in Lyon offers the opportunity to win over local industry, including major pharma and industrial companies, as new clients for IP advice. But the competition here is strong; market leader Hoyng ROKH Monegier operates an established Lyon office.

Duclos Thorne Mollet-Viéville boasts a comparatively large headcount, making it well positioned to handle even large-scale, complex litigation for international clients. Besides Cuche, it is name partner Thierry Mollet-Viéville who is most renowned for his work in patent litigation. The younger litigators are not as visible and there is no clear strategy for advancing new talent. This is important if Duclos Thorne Mollet-Viéville is to continue playing a role in the dynamically evolving European patent market.

Strengths

Litigation related to electronics, mechanics and pharmaceuticals.

European set-up

Duclos Thorne Mollet-Viéville has long-standing contacts at firms in important UPC locations, mainly in Germany and Italy. The team also appears in the French proceedings of large pan-European patent disputes, for example for Gilead. The firm is thus in a good starting position for the UPC, although cooperation partners in other key markets, especially the Netherlands, would be an advantage. Unlike many small national IP boutiques, Duclos Thorne Mollet-Viéville also has the set-up required for UPC suits. But unlike Casalonga, the team does not have technical expertise from its own patent attorneys. Since French patent attorney firms such as Plasseraud and Ipsilon are increasingly bringing lawyers into the team, which thus entails possible conflicts of interest, it makes sense to build up its own technical expertise for the UPC. Competitors such as Casalonga or Hoyng ROKH Monegier are already further ahead here.

Recommended individuals

Thomas Cuche (“very skilled”, “highly experienced litigation strategist”, competitors), Thierry Mollet-Viéville

Team

14 lawyers

Specialties

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

Clients

Litigation: Gilead (defendant) against ViiV Healthcare over HIV drug Biktarvy; Hutchinson (claimant) against Tyron Runflat and Global Wheel over wheel inflation system (public knowledge); manufacturer of gaming equipment against competitor over Wii consoles (Court of Appeal); retailer (defendant) against manufacturer of household appliances over kitchen appliance; manufacturer of solar modules (defendant) against competitor over solar panels; manufacturer in the field of fibre optic telecom networks (claimant) against competitor and implementor over fibre optic cable.