JUVE Comment

This leading patent litigation practice was again extremely active in mobile communications suits, primarily on the industry side against NPEs. Kanz’s pharmaceuticals team is seen more and more often in the market. The firm has followed a strict policy since the 2015 international merger: to avoid conflicts of interest, it only works for originators now. The German practice implemented this consistently by ending its relationships with generics manufacturers. The team advised Gilead regarding an HIV drug and remains active for the original drugs division of former purely generics manufacturer Teva. Although the strategy appears a success, the market quite rightly does not view Hoyng as a fully integrated firm yet, as the partners reject financial integration. Cooperation between the German partners and other international offices is still in the early stages, but is starting to bear fruit, as shown by litigation for Carl Zeiss in an international dispute with Nikon over chip production machines.

Strengths

Litigation specializing in pharmaceuticals, electronics and telecoms patents.

European strategy

By merging, ROKH and Hoyng Monegier got strategically prepared for the UPC system and more pan-European litigation earlier than other European litigation boutiques. Today, the firm is one of Europe’s large IP litigation outfits and rivals the European market leaders Bird & Bird and Hogan Lovells. The firm has strong teams in Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Munich and Paris and can rely on renowned offices in Brussels and Madrid. But with the merger, the boutique also put other boutiques under pressure, as these lost important cooperation partners in the Amsterdam and Paris offices.

Recommended individuals

Prof. Dr. Christian Osterrieth, Klaus Haft, Dr. Martin Köhler, Kay Kasper, Dr. Christine Kanz, Dr. Mirko Weinert, Dr. Tobias Hahn.

Team

9 equity partners, 12 associates, 1 of counsel

Practice

All-round activity in IP focusing on patent infringement proceedings and nullity suits. Also licenses, R&D cooperations and transaction advice. Trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Public knowledge: OpenTV against Apple; Samsung against Unwired Planet; Deutsche Telekom against SLC and Intellectual Ventures (all regarding mobile communications patents); ASML/Carl Zeiss SMT against Nikon regarding semiconductors; Elektra against Varian concerning radiotherapy; Gilead against generics manufacturers regarding Sovaldi and Truvada; frequent litigation for Energizer, Nokia, Teva, US chip manufacturer and French pharmaceuticals corporate.