JUVE Comment

This Düsseldorf-Munich litigation team is highly recommended for patents and has a good starting position for the European patent system with its additional expertise in Amsterdam and London. In German patent litigation, TW has impressed the market with pharmaceuticals patents from day one and also conducts litigation within a broad technical spectrum. But TW’s involvement in mobile communications suits has fluctuated in recent years. The firm was in action for Ericsson and Hisense, but continues to be a bystander in the major battles in the sector – even when regular client Ericsson is involved. TW was also not seen in the major proceedings involving NPEs, partly due to the fact that the Düsseldorf office is less visible than those of competitors.

Strengths

Litigation related to pharmaceuticals and telecoms. Large European patents team. Good contacts in China and Japan.

Development potential

With regard to the UPC, the internal relationships between the strong German and British patents groups appear clearly marked out. While the German team boasts excellent contacts in China and Japan, London represents the link to the US market. The patents team is still not using the young offices in Silicon Valley and New York enough. In addition, the German partners will have to make sure that contacts to US companies are not concentrated too much at the London office because of its language advantage.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Sabine Rojahn, Dr. Michael Samer, Christoph de Coster, Dr. Klaus Kupka, Dr. Christian Lederer (“excellent”, competitor), Dr. Dietrich Kamlah, Dr. Gisbert Hohagen.

Team

9 equity partners, 3 salary partners, 10 associates

Practice

All-round activity in IP. In patents, activity focuses on infringement proceedings. Very close cooperation with the European patents team and international life science practice. Also licensing and cooperation contracts.

Clients

Hisense against Sisvel regarding mobile communications; Ericsson concerning UMTS; Sandoz/Hexal concerning Seroquel; Nichia regarding white LEDs; Gore regarding stents; Agfa Graphics concerning printing plates; litigation for Fraunhofer, FSA, Hospira and ThyssenKrupp.