JUVE Comment

Dentons’ French team is known for representing notable clients from the telecoms and medtech sectors as well as national research institutes concerning electronic patents. The team litigated for Apple in a dispute over its operating system – one of few telecoms lawsuits currently running in France. This should not overshadow the fact, however, that background advice is an important element of activity in this sector.

Dentons’ solid reputation in the market was cemented by young partner Loïc Lemercier, who has expanded the team in the past three years.

Strengths

Patent litigation regarding mobile communications.

European set-up

In the first UPC cases, Dentons, like some large-firm competitors, was nowhere to be seen. This is, on the one hand, not surprising, as telecoms companies, including Dentons’ clients, are taking a wait-and-see approach to the new court. On the other hand, medical devices companies have already been extremely active – but not Dentons’ clients. Overall, with a large global network and preeminent US practice, the firm is in a good starting position for UPC cases. But it cannot offer its US clients and others such an extensive service as competitors like Bird & Bird, Allen & Overy and Hogan Lovells, who have built up renowned patent litigation teams at all or at least the most important UPC locations. In addition to its French office, Dentons has IP teams in Italy, Germany and the UK – including patent attorneys in Munich and London – but these are chiefly active in prosecution. None of the offices enjoy anywhere near the visibility in their respective markets of other international outfits. The Paris patent practice is therefore seldom seen in pan-European cases. The French office occasionally works in cross-border litigation with teams from other international firms that lack their own Paris patent practices.

Recommended individuals

Loïc Lemercier (“entrepreneurial mind”, competitor)

Team

6 lawyers

Specialties

Patent litigation for a broad spectrum of industries, especially medical devices and electronics.

Clients

Litigation: Apple (defendant) against Ferid Allani over mobile phone operating systems (public knowledge); Al.Chi.Mia and Ophta France (defendants) against Arcadophta over ophthalmic gas injection sets; Goliath France/Zuru (defendant) against Robotswim over swimming toys; CNRS (defendant) against former employee over lithium batteries; Septodont (defendant) against investor over dental technology; MyRobotics (claimant) against SL Process over know-how concerning medical devices.