JUVE Comment

With its first major patent proceedings for Bristol-Myers-Squibb, this leading litigation practice for patents showed that it can land attractive clients in the pharmaceuticals sector on top of extensive litigation for regular client Novartis. In the mobile communications sector, the team represented its three major clients in large series of proceedings again, with several for Ericsson. For Hewlett-Packard, the German team coordinated a European series of proceedings involving printers. With three visible partners now, FBD has stepped up the strong cooperation between the Munich and Düsseldorf offices. This interoffice activity could serve as a model for how FBD could build a hard-hitting team with the Amsterdam office – which is in a somewhat weaker position – before the UPC. If the court does open with British involvement, FBD would also have a team with a similar position to Amsterdam in London. In Paris – the potential location of the UPC Central Court – FBD appeared bold, opting not to build a patents team here. It instead chose to strengthen ties between the dispute resolution practice and patents.

Strengths

Litigation, esp. related to pharmaceuticals and telecoms, licensing contracts on the interface with IT, advice on the interface with antitrust.

Recommended individuals

Prof. Dr. Peter Chrocziel, Dr. Frank-Erich Hufnagel (“brings surprising new ideas to the defense community”, competitor), Wolrad Prinz zu Waldeck und Pyrmont (“strong presence”, competitor).

Team

3 partners, 9 associates

Practice

Patents work in Düsseldorf and Munich focuses on litigation, also transactional advice and licenses. Hamburg: licenses and advice to the biotech sector. Clients: predominantly companies from the pharmaceuticals, telecoms and automotive sectors. Close cooperation with antitrust and commercial litigation and liability.

Clients

Sony Mobile against France Brevets; frequent litigation for Apple and Microsoft; Ericsson against TCL and Intellectual Ventures; NTT Docomo against HTC (all regarding mobile communications); Hewlett-Packard concerning large format printers (all public knowledge). Continental regarding car tires; Novartis concerning Rivastigim; Hexal concerning Pregabalin; Bristol-Myers-Squibb regarding Opdivo; Genentech on licensing contracts.