JUVE Comment

The patent attorneys at this well-positioned traditional firm in Stuttgart boast a wealth of experience in disputes within a broad technical spectrum. This applies mainly to nullity suits and EPO oppositions in engineering and electronics patents. These are often conducted for auto suppliers like Aircom Automotive or medical product manufacturers like Paul Hartmann. It is not unusual for such proceedings to be part of larger-scale litigation, including infringement proceedings. Dreiss conducts the latter on the side of notable litigation firms, e.g. working for adhesive manufacturer Uhu and with Pioneer in two different cases in cooperation with a Düsseldorf firm. To handle such proceedings, as well as steadily increasing prosecution work – the firm’s mainstay – Dreiss increased its headcount in its core technical fields by three associate patent attorneys, both from its own young talent and experienced laterals from competitors. Activity for German Mittelstand companies like vacuum technology specialist J. Schmalz or auto supplier Kinetix in China remains solid. Here, the firm draws on an informal network for infringement proceedings and the coordination of these before the Chinese courts.

Strengths

Patent prosecution and litigation in engineering, mechanics and electronics.

Recommended individuals

Thomas Knapp, Alexander Bulling (“excellent peer”, competitor), Andreas Pfund, Dr. David Sinz (“blends professional expertise, dynamism and pragmatism”, client), Klaus Thielking (“experienced and skilled in negotiations”, competitor; all patent attorneys)

Team

17 patent attorneys

Specialties

All-round activity in IP with a clear focus on patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits, infringement proceedings with external lawyers.

Clients

Litigation: Pioneer (claimant) against TomTom over navigation technology; Philip Morris (claimant) against JTI and Nicoventures regarding EPO opposition over e-cigarettes as well as traditional cigarettes; Minol (defendant) against Siemens over building technology; Olight (defendant) against Ledlenser over LED technology; coordination of infringement suit in China for Kinetix and J. Schmalz (both claimants); frequent oppositions and nullity suits for Paul Hartmann regarding medical technology; Storopack and Schunk concerning engineering; Uhu (defendant) against Henkel over glue. Prosecution: filing and oppositions for Automotive Lighting, Conmed, Deutsche Augenoptik, J.Schmalz, LG Innotek, Nokia Solutions and Networks, Paul Hartmann, Robert Bosch, Schunk, Syntegon, Trumpf, ZF Friedrichshafen and German car manufacturer.