JUVE Comment

The Düsseldorf patent litigation firm is heavily involved in mobile communications disputes. The team represented its long-standing clients Audi and VW in the first major suit over connected cars. The case was extensive and involved the entire firm. This example illustrates how well this litigation boutique can manage major cases. The firm is well positioned in medical product cases and represents Coloplast, for example, in an international suit over urinary catheters. Furthermore, the practice is instructed by international companies and German midsized companies from almost all sectors. This strong development is reflected in the headcount; KA wooed two experienced associates from its market-leading rivals Bird & Bird and Hogan Lovells, and also established two young partners. The boutique is thus well armed for the future.

Strengths

Litigation, especially mobile communications.

European strategy

The Düsseldorf IP litigation boutique is among those nurturing relationships with similar specialist firms in the other UPC jurisdictions, e.g. Powell Gilbert in London. But the merger of French patent litigation boutique Véron – an excellent contact before now – with Hoyng ROKH Monegier shows how quickly a partner who was thought to be secure can be lost to other mergers. Solid connections to nationally independent partners in other UPC states could offer protection against this.

Recommended individuals

Peter Kather (“very experienced”, competitor), Christof Augenstein (“top in negotiations”, client), Christopher Weber (“highly focused”, “strong in negotiations”, competitor)

Team

6 partners, 6 associates, 1 of counsel

Specialties

Exclusively litigation and advice in IP.

Clients

Litigation: Audi/Volkswagen/Porsche against Broadcom over conncted cars; regularly for BASF, Boston Scientific, Brose Fahrzeugteile, Coloplast, Deutsche Lufthansa, DWS, Ericsson, Knorr-Bremse, Tesa, TI Automotive. Advice: Lenze on employee invention law.