JUVE Comment

This leading patents team’s starting position for the new European patent system is good. Grünecker has a large prosecution practice with exceptionally broad technical know-how, established offices in Munich and Paris as well as a working mixed approach. Even if the UPC launch is delayed, this setup is the basis for a strong position at the top of the European market, esp. as the small litigation team is gaining momentum, as demonstrated by litigation for Yahoo and Twitter in the NPE dispute against TLI. The litigation team’s actual strength lies in traditional electronics and mechanics patents; it was esp. active in proceedings involving household appliances for Samsung, Grundig and Whirlpool. There is still room for the firm to raise its visibility in pharmaceuticals proceedings, as its pharmaceuticals prosecution practice is still too small compared to others in the market.

Strengths

Patent prosecution and litigation related to electronics, mechanics and software.

Recommended individuals

Gerhard Barth, Dr. Ulrich Blumenröder, Dr. Bernd Allekotte; patent attorneys: Martin Aufenanger, Hans Hilgers, Reinhard Knauer, Thomas Schuster, Dr. Heike Vogelsang-Wenke.

Team

70 patent attorneys, 14 lawyers

Practice

All-round IP activity, incl. copyrights, trademarks and unfair competition. Clear focus on technical protection rights. Extensive prosecution practice with broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings. Own office in Paris.

Clients

Public knowledge: filing for Harman Becker, Lear Corp., Microsoft, Nissan, Panasonic, Samsung, Yamaha, Xerox; Yahoo, Twitter against TLI regarding mobile communications; Samsung concerning vacuum cleaners; Eurofilters concerning vacuum cleaner filters; Whirlpool and Grundig regarding household appliances; Välinge regarding laminates; Kyowa Hakko concerning coenzyme Q10.