JUVE Comment

The IP firm is still one of the most active litigation outfits in Düsseldorf, in part due to its unusual breadth. Wildanger conducts equal amounts of litigation in pharma, mobile communications and mechanics. Other Düsseldorf boutiques have yet to achieve the same breadth. Most prominent of these fields is mobile communications, namely cases over standard-relevant patents. Some partners have been advising NPEs for years, e.g. Saint Lawrence Communications in SEP and FRAND proceedings. Now ocompanies have also been trusting the firm’s experience in such cases, e.g. LG for the defense against a suit from Conversant. As a member of the Avanci pool, Sharp turned to Wildanger in a suit against Daimler over connected cars patents. The firm was thus able to use its know-how in NPE suits to advantage in what is currently the most important area of patent litigation. In order to manage the heavy workload here, Wildanger took on the highly experienced Reetz from Hogan Lovells. He brought German company Hoccer as client. Wildanger has a steady work flow in many areas of technology. Through Geschke the firm is very active in pharma cases, e.g. for Mylan over Truvada.

Strengths

SEP and NPE suits. Litigation related to electronics, mechanics and pharmaceuticals.

European strategy

With its expertise in SEP suits, Wildanger has gained a good toehold in international cases. The boutique is banking on its independence and close cooperation with European litigation firms, though these are being wooed by many German competitors. With regard to the UPC, Wildanger will have to consolidate its partnerships in European litigation and grow in order to handle more major proceedings. Positive notes are that the partnership is constantly growing and the partners work on complex instructions in teams more regularly than other boutiques.

Recommended individuals

Roland Kehrwald (“outstanding written and oral arguments”, competitor), Wolf Graf von Schwerin, Peter-Michael Weisse, Eva Geschke (“pulls an ace out of her sleeve when you least expect it”, competitor) Alexander Reetz (“a real boost for the firm”, competitor)

Partner moves

Alexander Reetz (from Hogan Lovells)

Team

8 partners, 1 counsel, 3 associates

Specialties

Much litigation in mobile communications and pharma. Nullity suits and licences. Small trademarks and unfair competition team.

Clients

Litigation: regularly for BSH; LG against Conversant; IPBridge against TCL and Leneovo (both over mobile communications); Hoccer against Tinder over communications patent; Sharp against Daimler over LTE patent; Mylan against Gilead over Truvada (both public knowledge); Henkel over dehumidifier; medical product manufacturer over heart valves; household appliance manufacturer over extraction fan technology; lorry manufacturer against competitor in infringement suit.