JUVE Comment

This Düsseldorf IP boutique has long been a leader in the patent attorney market for litigation and prosecution. Clients praise its outstanding quality and responsiveness. It is therefore not unusual for clients to entrust their crown jewel patents to the firm. C&F is especially well positioned for litigation in pharma and mobile communications patents. There are few competitors with equally strong setups in both market segments. In the landmark proceedings concerning connected cars patents, it is currently litigating for Nokia and Sharp against Daimler. In the pharma sector, it conducts central proceedings involving the important CRISPR/Cas technology for regular client Bayer. The firm also operates a technically broad prosecution practice with a strong profile for oppositions and strategic background advice. The personnel structures are solid, with more emphasis than at other patent attorney firms being placed on training its next generation itself.

Strengths

Litigation related to software, electronics, mobile communications and pharmaceuticals.

European strategy

The nationally positioned IP boutique boasts excellent direct relationships with clients in Germany and abroad. Cohausz & Florack is clearly not following the trend of integrating mixed litigation teams under one roof. In patent infringement disputes it always partners with external lawyers. So far, the firm’s success and visibility in many high-profile proceedings has proven its strategy to be sound.

Recommended individuals

Gottfried Schüll, Arwed Burrichter (“a technical authority in the market”, competitor), Natalie Kirchhofer (“can explain everything”, competitor), Ralph Minderop, Christoph Walke (“elegant and convincing”, competitor) (all patent attorneys)

Team

24 patent attorneys

Specialties

Patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings, also trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: Alison Hi-Tech (claimant) against Aspen Aerogels over light construction materials; Bayer (claimant) against Merck/Sigma-Aldrich on CRISPR/Cas; Bayer Crop Science (defendant) against Dow Chemical over Auxin Herbicides and Adama over cane sugar mutant patents; Brødrene Hartmann (defendant) against Omnipac over egg boxes; Gilead (defendant) against Teva, Hexal, Mylan, Hormosan over HIV medication Truvada; Nokia against Daimler over connected cars (public knowledge); Puma (defendant) against BASF over foam for shoe soles; Sharp (claimant) against Daimler over connected cars (public knowledge); Sino-Resource (defendant) against Honeywell over coolants for air conditioning; Vitasweet (defendant) against Celanese over sweeteners. Prosecution: oppositions for Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen. Filing for Ascensia Diabetes Care, Auto-Kabel Management, Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology, Bilfinger Noell, Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen, Bombardier, Brillux, Carl Zeiss, Deutsche Post, Dirak, EWM, Ferdinand Lusch, Fogtec Brandschutz, Francotyp-Postalia, Fraunhofer Institute, Fritz Egger, Innogy, Kamat, Kobil Systems, Lhoist, Nomacorc, PCC, Plasmatreat, Schmitz Cargobull, SIG, Signotec, SMS Elotherm, Thyssenkrupp,UPM, Viega, Vorwerk. Advice: portfolio management for: Exelixis, Genentech, Roche, Goldbeck, Tesa Scribos.