JUVE Comment

This partner-focused IP boutique with patent litigation teams in Munich and Düsseldorf has a strong profile for litigation in infringement proceedings, especially those involving mechanics and telecommunications patents. Klaka represented Wiko in the complex dispute against Sisvel. The firm also saw new work from long-time clients such as TCT. In other technical fields, both Mittelstand companies and large corporations, such as AVM Computersysteme and Certoplast, hire the team frequently. Contacts often arise via the firm’s established relationships with patent attorneys. Olaf Giebe, for instance, has been fighting alongside Weickmann & Weickmann for Sram against Shimano concerning bicycle components for years. Work involving chemicals patents was one area which made great strides last year. The firm is active in licensing negotiations for Leukocare in this segment. To propel this development further forward, Klaka now needs to invest in new associate talent. This could also help the firm’s visibility in major mobile communications cases, e.g. involving connected cars patents, where the patent team has not been particularly visible lately. This is particularly disappointing since the firm’s trademarks lawyers do have a strong relationship with BMW.

Strengths

Litigation related to mechanics and mobile communications.

European strategy

In Germany, Klaka is present at two key UPC locations, Munich and Düsseldorf. Internationally Klaka nurtures close ties to patent attorneys and other lesser known European litigation firms. The firm will have to grow and establish other stand-out litigators besides Olaf Giebe for a convincing UPC strategy.

Recommended individuals

Olaf Giebe (“very thorough”, competitor), Wolfgang Götz (“pragmatic strategist”, competitor), Stefan Eck

Team

4 partners, 1 of counsel

Specialties

Strong focus on patent law, exclusively litigation and advice. Also highly regarded practice in trademarks and unfair competition

Clients

Litigation: Wiko against Sisvel and 3G Licensing over mobile telecommunications; TCT (defendant) against Fraunhofer over SEPs; AVM Computersysteme (defendant) against NPE over ISDN patents; Sram (both claimant and defendant) against Shimano on electric switches; Bulthaup (claimant) against Rehau and Sachsenküchen on laser treatment of artificial material edges; Certoplast (defendant) against Tesa over special adhesive tape for harness; Fischerwerke (defendant) against Ejot over special wallplugs; Fränkische Industrial Pipes (defendant) against ABB over tube connectors; ongoing activity for 3M. Advice and portfolio management: Wiko on SEPs; Dürr; Leukocare.