JUVE Comment

Kellenter’s patent litigation team was active again in numerous series of proceedings, often in combined teams with other litigation firms like Krieger Mes. In recent years, Kellenter’s work for NPEs like IPCom and Fipa slightly overshadowed the fact that HM is actually an industry firm, but now the latter clients have come back to the fore. A major series of proceedings for Saint-Gobain against 3M and work for Brita and GE subsidiary Concept Laser bear witness to this. On the side of Maxim Integrated as co-litigant for Samsung against Fundamental Innovations System, the team showed how it also litigates on the industry side in NPE suits. The team manages this balancing act because its industry clients have so far stemmed from sectors that NPEs have yet to take action against concerning connectivity. The team is sturdy with Kellenter as the only partner, but remains limited for UPC proceedings because of its small size.

Strengths

Litigation for NPEs.

European strategy

As part of a nationally independent full-service firm, the patents team will struggle to arm itself for the UPC by tightening ties to experienced international patents teams. Of HM’s best-friend firms, only De Brauw in Amsterdam and Bonelli Erde in Italy have renowned patent experts in their ranks. Bredin Prat in Paris and Slaughter & May in London barely make an appearance in patents. HM’s lawyers will thus have to put themselves forward for UPC work by virtue of their own expertise. Another partner would be a good idea for this reason if nothing else, but also to raise the firm’s clout overall.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Wolfgang Kellenter.

Team

1 partner, 3 counsel, 3 associates

Practice

All-round IP activity with a clear focus on patent litigation, incl. antitrust. Also strategic advice, assessment of technical

protection rights and transactions.

Clients

Litigation: frequently for AstraZeneca and Brita; Fipa against Samsung, LG and HTC; IPCom against Apple and HTC (both regarding mobile communications); Sisvel against Toshiba regarding TV patents; Maxim Integrated concerning battery technology for mobile communications; Concept Laser concerning laser technology; Saint-Gobain regarding paint spray technology.