JUVE Comment

HE is still among the leading names for patents and established an excellent setup for the UPC early on, esp. on the patent attorney side. The firm operates one of the large European prosecution practices with an extremely strong position among Japanese companies and in the pharmaceuticals sector, and is also well placed when it comes to mobile communications and electronics patents. Alongside Bardehle, HE boasts one of the most active mixed litigation teams, traditionally with a strong presence in pharmaceuticals proceedings. Patent attorneys like Klusmann enjoy an excellent reputation here. HE was less visible recently in mobile communications proceedings. But the international setup allows hardly any room for criticism, as HE has long been visible in London with an office of its own because of its strong pharmaceuticals focus. The Milan and Madrid offices have yet to reach the level of London. There is also room for development at the two youngest offices in Hamburg and Düsseldorf, despite patent attorneys coming in as reinforcements and even though these offices are continuously widening their client base – from Düsseldorf HE works with Dutch patent attorneys, and from Hamburg it has its sights set on Scandinavia. But HE’s success at the UPC will depend on how well its strong Asian client base accepts the new system.

Strengths

Patent prosecution and litigation with technical expertise in pharmaceuticals, telecoms, chemicals, food chemicals, mechanics and electronics.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Niels Hölder, Dr. Dirk Schüssler-Langeheine, Dr. Clemens Steins; patent attorneys: Dr. Thorsten Bausch, Dr. Leo Polz, Dr. Matthias Kindler, Dr. Peter Klusmann, Dr. Peter Schweighart, Dr. Joseph Taormino.

Team in Germany

94 patent attorneys, 11 lawyers

Practice

All-round IP activity. Around 75% of the practice is in patents, focusing on patent prosecution, with very broad technical expertise. Opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings as well as global litigation coordination. Trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Public knowledge: Asus regarding LED patent; Kaneka concerning coenzyme Q10; AstraZeneca regarding Seroquel; Boehringer Ingelheim regarding repaglinide; frequent litigation for: Astellas, Lundbeck, NTT DoCoMo, Recordati, Seiko Epson and Toshiba; filing for Mitsubishi, Seiko Epson, NTT DoCoMo.