JUVE Comment

In patents, this leading litigation practice continues to enjoy strong visibility in telecoms cases. FBD defended regular client Apple against the now-settled class action by Nokia, in cooperation with Hogan Lovells – now a well-rehearsed partnership. Both firms were also hired in a suit regarding machinery for manufacturing storage chips for Nikon. In pharmaceuticals proceedings, the team remains active at a high level for Novartis and is landing major new clients too. The trio of partners showed a united front; a series of associate departures in Düsseldorf were thus absorbed by close cooperation with Munich. FBD showed how it is a genuine powerhouse when it comes to recruiting young talent by filling the staffing gaps immediately – incl. with experienced associates from competitors like Hogan Lovells.

Strengths

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

European strategy

The German team already demonstrates its excellent teamwork with the well-positioned Amsterdam and London patents teams in ongoing client work today, e.g. for Bristol-Myers-Squibb. FBD does not have patent expertise in Paris, instead opting to work in cooperation with the local dispute resolution team to develop general patent litigators for UPC cases – a rather reserved strategy.

Recommended individuals

Prof. Dr. Peter Chrocziel, Dr. Frank-Erich Hufnagel, Wolrad Prinz zu Waldeck und Pyrmont.

Team

3 partners, 12 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 trademarks and unfair competition, antitrust and commercial litigation and liability.

Clients

Frequent litigation for Apple and Microsoft; Ericsson against TCL and Intellectual Ventures; NTT Docomo against HTC (all regarding mobile communications); Hewlett-Packard regarding large format printers; Nikon against ASML/Carl Zeiss concerning semiconductors (all public knowledge); Continental concerning car tires; Novartis regarding rivastigmine; Bristol-Myers-Squibb regarding Opdivo; Genentech concerning licensing contracts.