JUVE Comment

This small, partner-heavy IP boutique is present in patent infringement cases, especially the major mobile communication cases. The team litigated for Broadcom/Avago against VW/Audi in one of the first suits over connected cars. In addition, the boutique represented Wiko against Sisvel and 3G Licensing over mobile communications patents. A new client was the TCL subsidiary TCT, which instructed the practice in the second instance for an SEP case. In other technical fields, both midsized companies and corporates retain the four-strong team. One example is the litigation for 3M against Tesa over a manufacturing process for adhesive strips made from polymer foam, which went to the Federal Court of Justice twice. The team also has a number of pharma clients, but has a lower profile in these cases.

Strengths

Litigation related to mechanics and mobile communications.

European strategy

In Germany, Klaka is present at two key UPC locations, Munich and Düsseldorf. Internationally Klaka nurtures close ties to patent attorneys and other lesser known European litigation firms. The firm will have to grow and establish other stand-out litigators besides Giebe for a convincing UPC strategy.

Recommended individuals

Olaf Giebe (“extremely effective”, competitor), Wolfgang Götz (“develops the best strategy for clients”, competitor), Stefan Eck

Team

4 partners, 1 of counsel

Specialties

Strong focus on patent law, exclusively litigation and advice. Also trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: AVM Computersysteme against ISDN over telecom patents; Broadcom/Avago against VW and Audi over connected cars; Bulthaupt in entitlement action over laser-cut edges for furniture; Certoplast against Tesa over special adhesive tape for harness; Fischerwerke against Ejot over special wallplugs; Fränkische Industrial Pipes against ABB over tube connectors; GEODynamics against DynaEnergetics; 3M against Tesa over polymer foam; Medien Patentverwaltung against Warner Bros. over coding of film copies; Sram against Shimano in various proceedings; TCT against Fraunhofer over SEPs; Wiko against Sisvel and 3G Licensing over mobile telecommunications. Advice and portfolio management: Wiko on SEPs; Dürr; Leukocare