JUVE Comment

Thanks to a very well-positioned team of patent attorneys, this US firm boasts one of Germany’s leading patents practices. Apart from Bird & Bird, JD is the only large law firm in Germany to file patents on a large scale. The technical spectrum is vast, but a specialty lies in biotech and pharmaceuticals. The small litigation team is thus also very active in pharmaceuticals proceedings. The consistent mixed approach and intensive cooperation with London and the US offices show the clout JD is able to deploy at the UPC. JD often litigates for clients like Akebia or Celgene in several countries at once or coordinates international litigation. The German team also has a busy litigation practice for mechanics and engineering patents, but is rarely seen in mobile communications suits. This is where the main difference to the market leaders lies.

Strengths

Patent prosecution with technical expertise in the pharmaceuticals, biotech and auto sectors. Pharmaceuticals proceedings. Very strong US practice.

European strategy

The European patents practice can rely on a very strong US team with a wide array of client connections. For a long time, JD had an equally strong position in London and Germany, but Paris has now caught up thanks to the arrival of Thomas Bouvet and his team from market-leading boutique Veron. The firm can also bank on its patent attorney practices in Munich and Frankfurt, which boast litigation experience and can also support the other European teams.

Recommended individuals

Gerd Jaekel, Dr. Christian Paul; patent attorneys: Dr. Martin Weber, Dr. Dorothée Weber-Bruls.

Team

12 patent attorneys, 5 lawyers

Practice

All-round IP activity with a focus on technical protection rights. Prosecution practice with broad technical expertise. Opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings. Licensing contracts, transactions and advice on patent strategies.

Clients

Celgene against various generics manufacturers regarding cancer drug; opposition suits for Akebia concerning erythropoietin; Idenix regarding hepatitis C drug; CJ Cheil Jedang against Ajinomoto concerning amino acids; QA Technologies concerning cell phone test circuits; Lufthansa Technik regarding vehicle electronics; SAP on know-how protection and patents; all-round activity for Celgene, Rational, SMI, SMR Automotive, Sunrise Medical, Woco.