JUVE Comment

The team at this Munich IP boutique enjoys a good reputation for litigation. It has two very different specialties. On the one hand, LSG is active in mobile communication suits with a mixed team around highly experienced litigators. The most important long-standing client here is O2/Telefónica, which LSG successfully defended against a class-action lawsuit from Intellectual Ventures. On the other hand, the patent attorneys’ dispute work is based on a brisk filing business with a high number of priority applications at the German Patents and Trade Mark Agency (DPMA) and a growing proportion of European filings. In addition to the firm’s core midsized clients are some notable international heavyweights, including Liebherr, Ford, Mazda and Fresenius Medical Care. The patent attorneys conduct oppositions, nullity suits and infringement cases stemming from their filing work. They regularly work with the firm’s own lawyers for infringement suits. Furthermore, the patent attorneys have a clear specialisation in mechanics and electronics patents and advise clients mainly from the automotive and medical technology industries. Despite having a strong client base in the auto industry and experience in mobile communications, the connected cars suits have largely passed LSG by. The firm’s presence in pharma patents also has room for improvement, but LSG recently won an experienced patent attorney at associate level from Winter Brandel Fürniss and a new prosecution client in DSM Neutrition.

Strengths

Patent prosecution with technical expertise in mechanical engineering, electronics and automotive. Litigation with mixed teams.

European strategy

With its mixed approach LSG has already taken care of one task when it comes to representing its clients before the potential UPC. But LSG chooses not to have its own international offices, unlike Bardehle or Grünecker. It did forge alliances with a French and a British firm two years ago, which it hopes to intensify as soon as the UPC is ready to launch.

Recommended individuals

Dieter Laufhütte, Uwe Herrmann (both patent attorneys)

Team

9 patent attorneys, 5 lawyers

Specialties

All-round IP activity with strong practice in trademarks and unfair competition. Patents activity centres on patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings.

Clients

Litigation: O2/Telefónica against Intellectual Ventures and Munitech over mobile communications; KSB over pump technology; Geox over shoes; regularly for Alois Pöttinger, Blizzard, Fibertex, Ford, Fresenius Medical Care, Liebherr. Prosecution: filings and oppositions for Faun, DSM Neutrition, Fresenius Medical Care, Ford, Liebherr, Mazda and Alois Pöttinger Maschinenbau.