JUVE Comment

The German patent team of this large international firm has a well known litigation specialist in Munich in Herr, who is also a qualified patent attorney. This has enabled the practice to litigate for clients such as Becton Dickinson regularly in infringement, opposition and nullity cases. With a second dual qualified lawyer, the firm is also well equipped for cases in the field of optics. Internationally active German companies such as Giesecke & Devrient also frequently retain the firm. The patent practice also advises companies which are already ongoing clients of other practices, e.g. healthcare. Such clients also harbour further potential, as the practice is relatively small compared to market leading practices at large internatinal firms.

Strengths

Litigation with technical and legal expertise. Arbitration.

European strategy

The European patents practice has a respectable setup for the UPC launch with teams in London and Munich. But none of the offices are market leaders and the planned growth in Paris has yet to materialize. The firm would have offices in two additional UPC locations, Warsaw and Barcelona, if Poland and Spain join the court.

Recommended individuals

Jochen Herr (“the highest quality and completely reliable”, client)

Team

2 partners, 3 associates

Specialties

IP work focuses more on trademarks and unfair competition. Work in technical protection rights focuses on litigation with a mixed approach and technical specialties in chemicals, electronics and mechanics patents. Patents-related arbitration, transactions, licensing contracts and antitrust.

Clients

Litigation: Becton Dickinson against B. Braun over safety intravenous catheter; Giesecke & Devrient against US government over passports; Pioneer against Thomson over MP3 standard; RealID against Volfoni over 3D cinema projectors. Prosecution: opposition for Arcelik, Becton Dickinson, E.on, Pelikan. Advice: Curevac on cooperation over cancer vacine.