JUVE Comment

On the basis of its excellently positioned prosecution practice, this leading firm in patents fine-tuned its litigation team setup. The firm bolstered the lawyer side with two career starters and appointed an experienced litigator salary partner. The litigation team already enjoys an excellent position in Munich, and the firm launched an additional office in Düsseldorf in November 2015, with a mixed litigation team of its own patent attorneys and an experienced lateral. Vossius is thus gearing itself more and more towards the UPC system, with a strong mixed approach, for instance to offer its US clientele full service. The patent attorneys are already working more consistently alongside the litigation specialists. Vossius is esp. well positioned in pharmaceuticals proceedings, but also represents Asian companies before Germany’s courts. With its launch in Düsseldorf, Vossius thus also has its sights set on Asian clients in the Rheinland.

Strengths

Patent prosecution and litigation related to pharmaceuticals, biotech and chemicals patents.

Development potential

The firm’s Achilles’ heel as regards the UPC is still its European visibility, which is lower than that of main competitors Bardehle and Hoffmann Eitle. Given its strong pharmaceuticals specialty, an office or closer partnerships in London would appear logical.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Johann Pitz, Dr. Thure Schubert; patent attorneys: Dr. Hans-Rainer Jaenichen, Dr. Alexa von Uexküll, Elard Frhr. von Schenck zu Schweinsberg.

Team

50 patent attorneys, 12 lawyers

Practice

All-round IP activity. Approximately 80% of the practice activity involves technical protection rights. Strong patent prosecution department with three technical practices: chemicals, life science and technology. Disputes in integrated teams. Licensing contracts and strategic advice. Trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Israel on complaint at EPO regarding plant patent; Shenzhen Geniatech regarding MPEG2; ResMed regarding medical products; LabPMM concerning biotechnological diagnostic method; extensive patents activity for: Boston Scientific, 3M, IMC Group, LG, NEC, Smith & Nephew, Sumitomo.