Filing – Germany 2018

JUVE Comment

This mixed IP firm is among the market-leading practices on the patent attorney side, but the litigation team is also excellently positioned when it comes to pharmaceuticals suits. HE has now raised the headcount of its prosecution team and underscored the importance of this by appointing four partners from its own young patent attorneys. The renowned litigation practice was expanded with an associate lawyer in Munich. The Düsseldorf litigation team, however, still needs reinforcements, partly because the litigators do not enjoy a similar stand...

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• Litigation: Lawyers
• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This Munich IP firm is one of the prosecution outfits with the highest filing figures and, for the second year in a row, grew by two patent attorneys in the fields of electrical engineering, mechanics and chemicals. The patent attorneys work across a broad technical spectrum overall. Pharmaceuticals patents do not play as strong a role as at competitors Hoffmann Eitle or Vossius, but MFP is very strong in mechanics patents and the automotive sector. Two of its highest profile clients are General Motors and Sumitomo Rubber. In disputes, the firm...

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 e...

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• Litigation: Lawyers
• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This Stuttgart IP boutique is rooted in the technologically strong southwest German Mittelstand with its extensive prosecution work. The team also files patents for notable electronics manufacturers such as Nokia and General Electric. The firm continued to branch out from its traditional focus on regional engineering companies – both geographically and thematically. It stepped up advice on legal issues related to blockchain technology and AI, e.g. for a large German electronics manufacturer. Dreiss is also attracting new international clients b...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

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 pra...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

Not only is this Munich patent attorney firm one of the major German filing practices with a very international approach, but it is also well positioned for litigation in the mobile communications sector. Katérle is active for LG in two proceedings against NPEs Fipa and Conversant. The firm also conducts much litigation involving bicycle components for regular client Sram. The pharmaceuticals and biotech team is not present in so many infringement cases before the EPO, but in opposition and nullity suits. The basis for this is extensive prosecu...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This Ruhr Valley firm, one of the four most visible filing practices in west Germany, is opting for cautious, partner-centric development. Though smaller than Cohausz & Florack or Dompatent, its renown in prosecution work is in no way inferior to the much larger competitors. In litigation, the patent attorneys are not nearly as prominent as Cohausz, as they are hardly visible at all in the major patent battles, tending rather to represent the innovative German Mittelstand.

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This Cologne IP firm is one of the most visible prosecution outfits in the Rhein-Ruhr region with an outstanding name for chemicals and pharmaceuticals patents. Dompatent was more visible than ever before in a number of high-profile infringement proceedings outside its specialist discipline. The firm litigated for Asus in an extensive mobile communications suit and defended regular client Wilkinson in a prominent dispute against Gillette over razors. Reducing Dompatent – as many competitors do – to just the life science and chemicals sector thu...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This Munich patent attorney firm is one of the most visible prosecution names in Germany for its team clout if nothing else. In semiconductor, IT and electronics patents EHF can even hold its own against Europe’s strongest prosecution outfits. Unlike Grünecker, EHF foregoes a litigation practice with its own lawyers and its patent attorneys only occasionally appear before the ordinary courts. In opposition suits before the EPO, however, EHF is very visible as it files a large number of patents for regular clients.

JUVE Comment

This Stuttgart patent attorney firm bolstered its team with three patent attorneys from its own ranks and consequently expanded prosecution work with more filing for long-time clients. Besides German Mittelstand companies, clients include various research institutes and international companies, especially from the US, China and Japan, for whom the team provides strategic portfolio advice, incl. filing. Alongside the traditionally strong focus on the mechanics, electronics and optics sectors, the team is advising more and more on materials and c...

JUVE Comment

This pure patent attorney firm is very visible in pharmaceuticals and chemicals patents, the two main pillars of work. The patent attorneys are often seen in high-profile proceedings, e.g. for Hormosan concerning Truvada. But IBH already reacted two years ago to the upheavals in the pharmaceuticals industry and shifted capacities to other sectors. Since then, it has focused more on patents on the interface with electronics and mechanics, e.g. bioinformatics or medical technology. Unlike last year, IBP grew again with a new patent attorney.

JUVE Comment

Like Bird & Bird, JD has opted for a mixed approach with a well-positioned litigation practice and strong prosecution practice for much longer than other law firms. The latter practice raised its patent attorney headcount. Both filing and litigation centre on international biotech and pharmaceuticals companies. The team has an asset in the close ties to offices in the global firm network, as JD litigated in a host of pharmaceuticals proceedings in various countries. The German litigation team is also active in proceedings involving mechanics or...

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• Litigation: Lawyers
• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

The patent prosecution team of this IP boutique is one of the most visible Munich outfits and files a large number of patents at the German Patent and Trademark Office. For its predominantly German client base the firm files a large number of priority applications, and European filing is also on the increase. One very important client is Liebherr – both for filing and litigation. Besides activity for many innovative Mittelstand companies, LSG’s work for a number of international corporates is visible in the market. The patent attorneys around L...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

From its hub in Düsseldorf, this firm most visible for its prosecution work took major steps towards expansion. In close succession, MHP opened offices in Essen and Frankfurt to better serve the Ruhr Valley and southwest markets. These new launches have yet to lead to success, but their addition means MHP grew by four patent attorneys, some from within its own ranks and some who were laterals from industry. There were, however, two departures to in-house. The client structure remains unchanged: MHP files priority applications for a large number...

JUVE Comment

This pure patent attorney firm has a well-positioned midsized prosecution practice. P&P is particularly active for auto suppliers. So it is only logical that P&P is involved in the first proceedings regarding connected cars before the German courts, for Texas Instruments on the side of the Audi/VW co-litigant. As in this case, extensive filing work often gives rise to busy litigation activity for regular clients.

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This IP firm remains one of the most visible prosecution outfits in Munich. The firm is remaining true to its strategy as a pure patent attorney firm and works within a broad technical spectrum. Because of their activity for originators, the patent attorneys enjoy an excellent reputation for pharmaceuticals litigation, but also work for generics manufacturers. Although they are experienced in litigation and file many global patents for LG (one of the highest profile mobile communications manufacturers), the patent attorneys hardly appear at all...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

In the past year, this IP firm, which boasts a large team and files many patents, demonstrated for the first time that its extensive prosecution activity harbors huge potential for much more litigation work for the patent attorneys and lawyers. VJP is playing a central role in the first series of proceedings involving the hot trend of connected cars with a large patent attorney team, who are fighting for Audi/VW alongside litigation experts from Kather Augenstein. The firm’s initial experience from mobile communications proceedings for NPEs lik...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

A Hamburg patent attorney firm chiefly noted for its midsized filing practice, which is one of the most active in north Germany. Many notable north German companies and some globally active corporates feature on the client list. Hauck appears increasingly often for its Mittelstand clients in opposition and nullity suits. The patent attorneys only occasionally conduct infringement proceedings and then always alongside external lawyers.

JUVE Comment

This Munich IP firm operates a very active filing practice for a balanced client list of international corporates like Honda and Sony as well as numerous German Mittelstand companies. Huawei is another key client for whom the firm conducts many opposition and nullity suits. The patent attorneys stepped up activity for the Chinese company in infringement proceedings. This is the field in which Mitscherlich made the most progress, as it also worked for Nespresso in its epic coffee capsule battle against ECC.

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This Hamburg IP boutique mainly works for companies from the pharmaceuticals, biotech and chemicals sectors in filing and opposition suits. Such notable companies as Monsanto and ExxonMobil are regular clients. Long-standing connections to Presspart gave rise to work for its subsidiary H&T. But the continuity in client relationships contrasted with staff fluctuation. Uexküll lost a partner accomplished in the chemicals sector, Wiegeleben. Two patent attorneys experienced in mobile communications already left last year. Staying attractive to you...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This mixed IP firm is established in Munich with a broad prosecution practice. The patent attorneys also boast a good reputation in disputes. While the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology practice puts in a strong appearance at the EPO for opposition suits and appeal proceedings, the mechanics team is very active in nullity suits and infringement proceedings for the auto industry. Traditional litigation between auto parts suppliers predominates. The team has yet to appear in the connected cars suits, but given its excellent sector ties this shoul...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

The patents team at this mixed Stuttgart firm is best known for prosecution work and praised by competitors as being “highly competent and reliable”. The outfit is far more visible for international corporates than others in the region. Besides regular clients Sony, Boeing and Qiagen, a number of US companies trust in WWP. The firm also often litigates for its clients, e.g. for Sony in the nullity suit over a digital book against an NPE. In infringement proceedings, the patent attorneys often operate on the side of large law firms with strong r...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

Like so many Munich patent attorney firms, with its midsized filing practice B&R is best known for its prosecution work for a strong international client base. The patent attorneys also run a renowned litigation practice with various technical specialties, incl. electronics and mobile communications patents. So it comes as no surprise that its best-known client is Google, to whom B&R mostly provides prosecution. In litigation, the patent attorneys have long been active for Nichia and always bank on good, but non-exclusive connections to selecte...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This Stuttgart full-service firm is best known for its strong filing practice. Activity traditionally focuses on the regional auto supply industry as well as German and international engineering. Prosecution work is giving rise to more disputes, where the patent attorneys are active alongside the BRP lawyers, e.g. for Item regarding aluminium profiles for exhibition stand construction. Despite the rise in proceedings, the patent team’s litigation work is not really registered yet in the market.

JUVE Comment

This Berlin IP firm is one of the strongest filing firms in east Germany, whose patent attorneys have carved out a strong presence in infringement proceedings over recent years. Excellent ties to Asian companies – with its own offices in Beijing and Yokohama – play a large part in this. Chinese mobile communications manufacturers feature heavily in the current client list. G&P used its showpiece instruction Haier against Sisvel – where the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof) is expected to make a precedent ruling on the FRAND issue at ...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This IP firm has an excellent reputation as a prosecution outfit in Frankfurt and the surrounding area. The patent attorneys are also active for regular clients in opposition and nullity suits. K&S recently grew by several patent attorneys, partly due to the merger with Frankfurt firm Dr. Knoblauch. Dr. Andreas Knoblauch brings experience in mechanics and electronics patents. His regular clients include ASC Telecom, Danfoss and Karl Mayer Textilmaschinen. The work of K&S itself is heavily characterized by filing for long-time clients from the e...

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• Litigation: Patent Attorneys

JUVE Comment

This midsized patent attorney firm is a well-known, midsized filing practice with broad technical expertise. This work is flanked by busy litigation activity in mobile communications patents, where Emmerling’s close ties to Huawei – probably the company against which the most action is being taken in Germany at present – are an asset. P&P also files many patents for Huawei, though it has to share the work with other firms. The team lost an experienced counsel to Hogan Lovells and a patent attorney went to a British patent attorney firm. The fir...