JUVE Comment

This small IP boutique enjoys a solid reputation when it comes to patent litigation for telecoms and electronics clients, often involving FRAND. This is chiefly the domain of name partner Cyrille Amar, who is frequently called on by tech companies like Sonos and Cerbair. His renowned expertise in all matters related to SEPs and in-depth knowledge of contract law stand these clients in good stead. In his litigation for ETSI, Amar most recently made a name for himself for disputes in which contractual issues play a pivotal role. Alongside the established focus on digital technology, the small IP boutique is active for clients from a variety of sectors, such as Labrador in the medical devices sector.

However, the market’s perception centres heavily on Amar, while other partners and associates have hardly appeared in patent litigation at all so far. The firm has not yet been able to grow its practice following last year’s departure of a young partner. This makes the alliance with EIP all the more important, as it gives the French boutique access to capacities that could be crucial for UPC cases.

Strengths

Litigation regarding mobile communication patents, including FRAND.

European set-up

In setting up EIP Amar, a UPC alliance with British-German-Scandinavian firm EIP, Amar Goussu Staub has positioned itself internationally for the new court. With offices in Paris, London, Düsseldorf and Stockholm, it is represented at key patent locations, three of them UPC venues. The first few months since the new court opened its doors have not seen any activity from the alliance. This is partly down to the fact that telecoms companies – which both Amar Goussu Staub and EIP are well known for advising – are waiting to see how things develop in the first phase of the UPC.

The partnership also offers advantages for clients of the French IP boutique in national lawsuits, if nothing else because of EIP’s mixed set-up. In the dispute between Labrador Diagnostics and bioMérieux, for instance, Amar drew on the technical expertise of the EIP patent attorneys in London. This new instruction for a medical devices company could be especially interesting against the backdrop of the UPC, as companies from this sector have already been busy at the new court.

Recommended individuals

Cyrille Amar

Team

3 lawyers

Specialties

Patent litigation and advice, including on licensing and FTO, as well as the IP side of transactions, historically with a strong focus on mobile communications. Also arbitration concerning patents.

Clients

Litigation: Cerbair (defendant) against Drone XTR over drone detection technology; Sonos (defendant) against Google and Nest over patents for the control of sound systems via mobile phone; ETSI (co-defendant) in Philips versus Thales over questions of responsibility towards ETSI members; ETSI (claimant) against TCL over procedural costs in TCL versus Philips; Labrador Diagnostics (defendant) against bioMérieux over diagnostics tool; Fabrice Visocekas (claimant) against Vicat over method of producing low-carbon concrete.