JUVE Comment

The small, well-positioned team of this Hamburg IP firm mainly conducts patent litigation for defendants. One of the two partners boasts strong connections among healthcare companies and provides comprehensive advice in patent litigation and pharma advertising law disputes. The other partner’s regular clients are Mittelstand companies specialising in mechanics, which he often accompanies in infringement proceedings all the way up to parallel EPO opposition and nullity suits. Companies from the packaging and consumer goods industry also feature heavily on the client list. The only patent attorney recently left Harmsen Utescher, taking prosecution activity with her. However, she worked relatively independently from the lawyers, so her departure has not weakened the remaining litigation activity. Harmsen Utescher no longer offers patent filing.

Team

2 partners, 1 associate

European strategy

The Hamburg boutique is occasionally involved in pan-European proceedings and then works regularly with its clients’ regular firms. It does not maintain any fixed relationships with foreign firms and thus rarely secures referral mandates from abroad.

Specialties

In patents, litigation and advice to an equal extent. Very broad activity in IP, incl. healthcare and food law. Strong practice in trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: luggage manufacturer (defendant) against competitor over suitcase; pharma company (defendant) against competitor over second medical use patents for cancer therapy; manufacturer of coffee capsules (defendant) against Nestlé over EPA opposition. Advice: chemicals and engineering companies on licensing; trading company on FTO analysis.