JUVE Comment

This German law firm reinvented itself a few years ago and now has a strong profile in litigation for Mittelstand clients, among whom it is also well established thanks to excellent connections to pure patent attorney firms. What also sets Preu Bohlig apart from competitors in large international firms and IP boutiques is how its young team of partners has prioritised these clients first. This setup has given the partners a wealth of experience in a wide variety of technical fields. Furthermore, they have a strong client base among auto suppliers and in the pharma sector. The staffing additions of recent years have given the firm an entrepreneurial boost, which has lent momentum to business development. With two partners operating on the interface between patents and pharma regulatory law, the firm is in an excellent starting position to litigate for drugs manufacturers. One highlight was litigation for Hikma against Elli Lilly concerning pemetrexed. Berlin senior partner Donle boasts an outstanding reputation for litigation in mobile communications cases and Huawei is a long-time client. He is currently representing the Chinese mobile communications manufacturer in the high-profile connected cars dispute as the key intervener for Daimler against Nokia.

Strengths

Litigation with a broad technical spectrum, including SEP and FRAND claims.

European strategy

The German firm with strong roots in the Mittelstand opened its own Paris office a few years ago, through which it acquires and advises French clients. An unusual investment, but one that has so far paid off. Preu Bohlig frequently cooperates with numerous foreign firms within non-exclusive relationships. Because of its client structure, however, the firm is only active for Huawei in important cross-border cases.

Recommended individuals

Ludwig von Zumbusch, Christian Donle (“outstanding level of knowledge”, “detail-oriented, creative think tank”, client), Christian Kau (“really excellent”, competitor), Daniel Hoppe (“high level of negotiating ability”, client)

Team

11 partners, 13 associates

Specialties

Very strong focus on IP. Alongside patents, also trademarks and unfair competition and pharma law. Litigation predominates. Invention law, know-how protection, licensing and R&D contracts.

Clients

Litigation: 4Inno Ingenieurgesellschaft (claimant) against Philips and Signify over LED lamps; BBP Kunststoffwerk Marbach Baier (defendant) against ElringKlinger over oil tanks; Bora (claimant) against Miele over extraction systems; Brita (claimant) against Aqua Select over filter cartridges; Carlex Glass (defendant) against AGC Glass Europe over windscreens; Faurecia (claimant) against Benteler over car cross beams; Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland (claimant) against FilaTech over hollow fibre spin machines; Hikma Pharma (claimant) against Eli Lilly and IFA over cancer drug pemetrexed; Huawei (intervener) in Nokia against Daimler on SEPs/connected cars; James Hardie Europe (claimant) against Aerocycle over construction materials; Mekra Lang (claimant) against Orlaco, Stoneridge over truck mirror replacement systems; Stetter (claimant) against Euromix over concrete mixers; Uhrig Straßen- und Tiefbau (defendant) against MTS Maschinentechnik Schrode over soil compactors; Washtec (claimant) against Istobal over hub washing in car washes; ongoing for Delta Electronics; HP, Ventec Central Europe. Advice: Carlex and Vodacom South Africa on employee invention law.