JUVE Comment

This IP firm is among the market-leading German patents firms, especially for patent prosecution. ES not only files patents and conducts official proceedings in large quantities, but also boasts an impressive list of regular clients, incl. international corporates like Philips as well as innovative German Mittelstand companies and corporates, e.g. Sennheiser, Enercon or BASF. Eisenführ ramped up its patent attorney headcount, for example welcoming a partner experienced in chemicals patents from Uexküll & Stolberg as counsel. But the patents practice has made its most significant strides in litigation over recent years as the patent attorneys traditionally experienced in disputes are incorporating the lawyers in litigation with increasing consistency. Moreover, these are now operating largely independently and increasingly visibly for Philips and other industrial companies, incl. Fraunhofer Society and Dolby, who have pooled their patents. The firm’s in-depth mobile communications know-how is also the result of many years working for NPE Sisvel. Of the mixed litigation practices only Bird & Bird still conducts more proceedings.

Strengths

Patent prosecution in chemicals, electronics and renewable energies. Litigation mainly concerning mobile communications for NPEs.

European strategy

Eisenführ is generally open to international offices when the UPC launches and significant work develops locally – e.g. due to its excellent connection to Philips in Amsterdam. But in the meantime the firm wants to put itself forward for UPC proceedings with its tried-and-tested mixed approach but no foreign offices. Internationally, Eisenführ relies on ties to partner firms.

Recommended individuals

Rainer Böhm, Dr. Volkmar Henke (“very good in telecoms cases”, client); patent attorneys: Jochen Ehlers, Klaus Göken, Joachim von Oppen, Manuel Söldenwagner (“competent advice and very good know-how on pharmaceuticals patents”, client).

Team

40 patent attorneys, 6 lawyers

Practice

All-round activity in IP with a clear focus on patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits, infringement proceedings and arbitration. Know-how protection, advice on transactions and assessment of protection rights. Also trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: Philips against Asus, Archos; Mediatek against Broadcom and Apple; Vodafone against Saint Lawrence and Intellectual Ventures; Sisvel against Wiko (all regarding mobile communications); Dolby Laboratories against Wiko regarding audio coding; Enercon concerning wind turbines; Nordson concerning industrial adhesives. Prosecution: filing and opposition suits for BASF, Centirion, CeWe trust, Evonik, Nordson, Panasonic, Philips, Sennheiser, Symrise.