JUVE Comment

This pure patent attorney firm operates a renowned prosecution practice. Few other such firms boast so many partners experienced in litigation and such an impressive list of litigation clients. Mobile communications litigation for manufacturers predominates. S&P is present in virtually all the high-profile NPE suits on the side of the defendant, e.g. Deutsche Telekom, Nokia or Apple. The firm litigated for the iPhone manufacturer with Intel in a major suit by Qualcomm. But this depth of activity in the sector is leading to conflicts of interest: S&P was unable to work on the since-settled Nokia/Apple dispute. So as not to risk losing their excellent starting position for the UPC, the partners will have to keep an eye on the expansion of technical expertise at Bird & Bird and Hoyng ROKH Monegier, with whom they work closely. But S&P also boasts lots of direct company contacts and a wealth of litigation experience. Unlike litigation, which focuses on mobile communications, prosecution work is much broader with many technical fields.

Strengths

Prosecution related to electronics, software, IT and mechanics. Litigation involving mobile communications and electronics.

Recommended individuals

Michael Turi, Dr. Wolfgang Lippich, Friedrich von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Dr. Tobias Stammberger, Alexander Münster-Horstkotte (all patent attorneys).

Team

19 patent attorneys

Practice

Active exclusively in IP. Strong focus on technical protection rights. 50 percent patent filing with a broad technical spectrum, 50 percent disputes by patent attorneys: opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings, the

latter exclusively with external lawyers.

Clients

Litigation: Apple and Intel against Qualcomm; Deutsche Telekom and Nokia against Intellectual Ventures; Microsoft against IPCom (all regarding mobile communications). Prosecution: filing and opposition suits for Amadeus, Heckler & Koch, Intel, Max&Co., Vestas (all public knowledge).