JUVE Comment

This mixed firm is among the German market leaders in patent prosecution and patent litigation to an equal extent. BP has had a turbulent time in every respect. The lawyers had the sudden death of internationally well-regarded managing partner Peter Hess to cope with. The litigation practice also grew with a four-strong team around former Freshfields partner Chrocziel. This not only brought connections to Audi, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard, but valuable expertise in antitrust, and broadened the comparatively slim litigation practice. BP also enjoyed success in client work. The firm was visible as ever in mobile communications cases, especially in what is probably the largest dispute before the German courts at present, for NPE Intellectual Ventures against various mobile communications providers. Having long been present in the healthcare sector, litigation for Amgen regarding Praluent and 10X Genomics involving microfluid chips was important progress. A dispute for Adidas against Nike and extensive prosecution work for the auto and semiconductor industry showed how Bardehle is primarily an industry firm. So it was no surprise that the firm is also involved in the major proceedings between Avago and Audi/VW for co-litigator Nvidia. Given the large number of auto manufacturers and suppliers, e.g. Audi, BMW or Kuka, among clients, the hot topic of connected cars is just the tip of the iceberg for BP.

Strengths

Patent prosecution and mixed litigation practice primarily for mobile communications and software patents. Strong European presence and excellent US contacts.

European strategy

With its mixed litigation approach, internationally oriented lawyers and offices at the key UPC venues in Düsseldorf, Paris and Munich, Bardehle is well on the way to becoming a top European firm. It also has a small Italian office in Verona. The arrival of Chrocziel raises Bardehle’s clout for complex major proceedings.

Recommended individuals

Johannes Heselberger, Dr. Tilman Müller-Stoy (“excellent, extremely practice-oriented and well structured”, competitor), Prof. Dr. Peter Chrocziel; patent attorneys: Dr. Christof Karl, Johannes Lang.

Team

27 patent attorneys, 16 lawyers

Partner moves

Prof. Dr. Peter Chrocziel (from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer).

Practice

Extensive activity in trademarks and unfair competition and a clear focus on technical protection rights. Filing on a broad technical

spectrum. Much litigation, litigation coordination and strategic advice on licences as well as antitrust.

Clients

Litigation: Intellectual Ventures against DTAG, Telefónica and Vodafone; Qualcomm against Parker Vision (both regarding mobile communications); 10X Genomics against Bio-Read regarding microfluid chips; Amgen against Regeneron/Sanofi concerning Praluent; SK Hynix and Hewlett-Packard against Netlist concerning JEDEC standard; Nvidia against Broadcom/Avago concerning connected cars; Adidas regarding sneakers; frequent work for BMW, Microsoft, Nintendo. Prosecution: filing and opposition suits for Adidas, Apple, Dell, Kuka, Nintendo, Qualcomm, Wago. Advice: on R&D and licences for Audi, on R&D for VW.