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 of regular clients from a wide variety of sectors. The firm files European patents for international companies to a lesser extent. The patent attorneys’ litigation work is increasing within existing client relationships, though local competitor Cohausz & Florack is still a step ahead.

Strengths

Prosecution with technical expertise in chemicals, biotech, engineering, auto and semiconductor patents.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Stefan Michalski, Dr. Aloys Hüttermann, Dr. Dirk Schulz, Guido Quiram, Dr. Uwe Albersmeyer (all patent attorneys).

Team

22 patent attorneys

Practice

Clear focus on patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits. Infringement proceedings with external lawyers. Employee invention law.

Clients

Litigation: straw man suit against CRISPR patent at EPO; Heiler concerning sports turf; IT-IS against Roche concerning measuring devices; Claassen concerning licences; Thales Alenia against Astrium and German Aerospace Center regarding air traffic control system. Prosecution: filing and opposition suits for ABB, Acer, Deutsche Post/DHL, Gigaset, NTT, Phoenix Contact, SMK.