JUVE Comment

This large IP firm files a sizeable number of patents and is mostly respected for its prosecution work, though it has also been building up a litigation practice with its own lawyers for some time. This is not particularly visible yet, but is already busy. For instance, the practice litigated in a midsized series of proceedings for NMS and made the market sit up and take notice on the side of NPE Wilan against Amazon. The extensive prosecution work harbors potential for much more litigation activity.

Strengths

Prosecution for electronics, IT and engineering patents.

European strategy

Although there is room for VJ’s reputation for litigation to grow, it is consistently developing a mixed litigation practice with an eye on the UPC launch, thus following the trend along with numerous similar Munich practices, like Prüfer & Partner and Maiwald. The strength in electrical engineering and the auto industry, and the excellent Asian connections (own office in Singapore), offer a good basis for this.

Team

17 patent attorneys, 3 lawyers

Practice

IP activity focuses on technical protection rights. Large proportion of patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits, infringement proceedings with own lawyers.

Clients

Wilan against Amazon regarding copy protection; Network Managing Solution (NMS) concerning mobile communications patents; litigation for Kyocera and Zepter; much filing, also opposition suits, for Henkel, Hyundai, Infineon, Intel, Kyocera, Osram.