JUVE Comment

This mixed IP firm is a market leader in patents: besides an extremely strongly positioned prosecution practice, Vossius is vigorously expanding its litigation team. Filing activity is very extensive and internationally focused among the German firms and centers on biotechnology. This frequently manifests itself in numerous opposition suits and appeal proceedings at the EPO, e.g. for CRISPR Therapeutics. Vossius also enjoys a strong position among pharmaceuticals and medical product manufacturers, as shown in the extensive litigation for ResMed and Boston Scientific. Vossius is also gaining ground in electronics and mobile communications patents, based on filing work for Asian corporates, especially LG. The expansion of the China desk is making an impact, as shown by litigation for ZTE. In general, Vossius is enhancing its litigation team more than most competitors. The focus here is on Düsseldorf, where a team of three joined from Arnold Ruess, among them Kramer, who is experienced in mobile communications and brought Wiko as a new client. The lawyers also litigated for another mobile communications provider in an NPE suit. The Munich litigation team has a strength in medical products.

Strengths

Patent prosecution and litigation related to pharmaceuticals, biotech and chemicals patents.

European strategy

Brexit could make a London office attractive to Vossius in the long term to offer US clients an alternative to British firms. But Vossius is also getting set for a UPC system with the UK by expanding its litigation team and forging alliances with renowned European firms, as its international setup is somewhat weaker than that of Hoffmann Eitle or Grünecker.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Thure Schubert, Dr. Kai Rüting (“competent and success-oriented”, competitor), Dr. Georg Rauh; patent attorneys: Dr. Hans-Rainer Jaenichen, Dr. Alexa von Uexküll, Elard Frhr. von Schenck zu Schweinsberg

Team

55 patent attorneys, 12 lawyers

Partner moves

Dr. Andreas Kramer (from Arnold Ruess).

Practice

Approximately 80 percent of the practice activity involves technical protection rights. Strong patent prosecution department with three technical practices: chemicals, life science and technology. Disputes in integrated teams. Trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: Wiko against Ericsson regarding mobile communications; ZTE against MPEG-LA-Pool regarding audio compression; CRISPR Therapeutics in opposition suit regarding basic patent; Smith & Nephew against KCI concerning dressings; Resmed against Fisher & Paykel concerning medical respiratory masks; Shionogi against Merck regarding raltegravir; 3M against Saint-Gobain regarding painting technology. Prosecution: extensive patents activity incl. opposition suits for Boston Scientific, 3M, IMC Group, Iscar, LG, NEC, ResMed, Roche, Sumitomo.