JUVE Comment

The patent attorneys at this Düsseldorf IP boutique have long been market leaders in litigation and prosecution. The firm had an outstanding year in both mobile communication patents and pharmaceuticals. C&F was invloved in the CRISPR Cas cases, which are of huge significance for the sector, and advised its core client Bayer on some key proceedings. C&F was the only firm to advise on both sides in the disputes over connected cars, with its team advising both the plaintiff Nokia as well as car markers Audi, VW and Porsche. This underlines how deftly C&F has positioned itself and made the most of its vast sector know-how. The firm continues to litigate for NPEs such as France Brevet and Fundamental Innovation as well as companies in extensive mobile communication cases on a regular basis.

Strengths

Litigation related to software, electronics, mobile communications and pharmaceuticals.

European Strategy

The nationally independent IP boutique opts not to integrate its own lawyers for patent litigation. Through intensive cooperation with numerous selected law firms like Krieger Mes or Heuking, C&F is calmly responding to greater efforts by competitors to form mixed teams. Thanks to strong NPE contacts, the firm could benefit from the UPC launch, which these clients can hardly wait for.

Recommended individuals

Gottfried Schüll, Arwed Burrichter, Natalie Kirchhofer, Ralph Minderop, Christoph Walke (all patent attorneys)

Team

24 patent attorneys

Specialties

Patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings, also trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: Nokia against Daimler over mobile communications; Audi/VW/Porsche against Broadcom/Avago over mobile communications; MPEG LA against ZTE over video playback; Gilead over Truvada; Wächtershäuser & Hartz against Broad Institute over CRISPR Cas; Brødrene Hartmann against Omnipac over egg boxes (all public knowledge); Bayer in EPO complaint over Xarelto; France Brevet against Apple and NXP over NFC; Fundamental Innovation against Huawei and Samsung over mobile communications; Sino-Resource against Honeywell over coolant for car air conditioners; Alison Hi-Tech against Aspen over insulators; UPM against Munksjö/Ahlstrom over special silicon papers; Bio-tec against Novamont over packaging. Prosecution: oppositions for Exelixis/ Genentech/Roche over cancer medicine Cotellic (cobimetinib); Rovi/Tivo. Filings forDeutsche Post, Carl Zeiss, Innogy, Francotyp-Postalia, Fritz Egger,Lhoist, Schmitz Cargobull, SIG, Thyssenkrupp,Vorwerk.