JUVE Comment

The German team of the global firm focuses on patent litigation and following the arrival of Cepl two years ago, the practice now has a stable setup. His rapid integration into the team has increased its technical breadth and as such DLA is now in a better position to play a key role in the current connected cars disputes, especially with core clients Harman and Aptiv as first tier suppliers of communication modules. DLA represented them not only as co-litigants of VW, BMW and Daimler in the infringement suits from Broadcom, but also advises them in other cases. This work stems from the long-standing mobile communications experience of the Munich team around Gampp. The Cologne team focuses on pharma and medical product patents and has good ties to Medtronic and Becton Dickinson. Extending the team to two partners has enabled the firm to work on nullity cases without external patent attorneys, e.g. for Harman and Aptiv against the Broadcom patents.

Strengths

Mobile communications and connected cars litigation.

European strategy

Backed up by a strong US practice, DLA has expanded its European patents team. Today the European DLA patents practice is well-positioned. It is especially strong in Amsterdam and Munich. The inroads made by the German team has raised its profile within the European practice but there still room for development in Paris and, in particular, London. The practice has eschewed integrating patent attorneys in Germany. In Amsterdam, however, a European patent attorney specialises in pharma patents, enabling the firm to conduct opposition and appeal cases at the EPO without external patent attorneys.

Recommended individuals

Markus Gampp (“simply the best for tech litigation”, competitor), Philipp Cepl

Team

3 partners, 1 counsel, 5 associates

Specialties

In IP, advice and litigation in trademarks and unfair competition and technical protection rights to an equal degree. Infringement and nullity suits with a broad technical spectrum, as well as transaction advice, R&D and licensing contracts. Advice on antitrust.

Clients

Litigation: Harman as co-litigant of VW/Audi, BMW and Daimler against Broadcom over connected cars; Aptiv over connected cars patents, as co-litigant of VW/Audi against Broadcom; Alpinestar against Dainese over motorcycle clothing; Becton Dikinson on storage vending machine for pharmacies; infringement proceedings for British Airways, Covidia, Nike and Toshiba. Advice: portfolio management, licences and FTO analyses for Alpinestars and Robert Bosch.