JUVE Comment

Among patent filers, this IP firm is one of the well-positioned names in the market. In addition to an outstanding reputation for chemicals and pharma patents, the firm is establishing itself in the IT sector, especially mobile communications patents. This is partly down to the rise in litigation work for the patent attorneys, including representing Asus in an extensive dispute with Philips. They always work with external lawyers for litigation, e.g. from Taylor Wessing in the work for Asus. The firm also files many patents for Xiaomi but does not yet conduct much litigation for the Chinese mobile communications manufacturer in Germany. In the UK and the Netherlands, however, it has been taken to court many times by NPEs. Such suits are likely in Germany in the future, which would lend Dompatent more visibility if Xiaomi banks on its patent attorneys. Overall, the practice’s China work has made strides as the firm now employs numerous Chinese-speaking patent attorneys. The firm often coordinates the patents activities of European companies in China. In the pharma and chemicals sector, Dompatent solidified its ties to client Kingfa, for which it now litigates.

Strengths

Strong litigation team and also patent prosecution related to pharmaceuticals, biotech and chemicals.

Recommended individuals

Hans-Peter Jönsson, Jörg Helbing, Jochen Hilleringmann (all patent attorneys)

Team

17 patent attorneys

Specialties

All-round IP activity specialising in patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits. Infringement proceedings with external lawyers, trademarks and unfair competition with the firm’s own lawyers. China desk.

Clients

Litigation: Asus against Philips over mobile communications; NPE against Apple over mobile communications; Kingfa (claimant) against BASF over polymer patents. Prosecution: filing for 3D Systems, ADM Archer Daniels Midland, Asahi Kasei, Becton Dickinson, Behr-Hella, Bio-Rad, B. Braun Melsungen, Chemische Fabrik Kreussler, China Academy of Telecommunications Technology, Covestro, Deutsche Post, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Edgewell, Elmos Semiconductor, Fischbach, Gebr. Willach, Grillo Werke, Hamm, Henkel, HP Pelzer, Hyundai Mobis, Inficon, Knauf, Leybold, Lubrizol, Monsanto/Bayer CropScience, Nanogate, RWTH Aachen, Tsubakimoto Chain, Vita Zahnfabrik, Wirtgen, Xiaomi Mobile (all public knowledge).