JUVE Comment

This Munich patent attorney firm again cemented its reputation as one of the most active litigation outfits when it comes to mobile communications patents. The patent attorneys are chiefly active on the side of industrial companies. The relationship with Apple is now well established; the company consistently calls on Samson & Partner, alongside other firms, for technical matters. Samson & Partner is still conducting nullity suits for Apple against Qualcomm patents, after the two companies were involved in a heated series of proceedings in 2019 over patent infringement. The patent attorneys were also visible in the first major battles over connected cars patents. From the very beginning, Continental counted on them as intervener for VW, as did Nokia – another regular client – against Daimler. Such work arises not only because the patent attorneys are called on by lawyers, but also thanks to direct company contacts. As a result, the firm is taking the expansion of technical expertise at litigation firms like Bird & Bird, Hogan Lovells or Hoyng ROKH Monegier in its stride. Unlike litigation work, which centres on mobile communications, prosecution covers a much broader technical spectrum. This frequently leads to cases involving other technologies, e.g. for Vestas concerning wind turbines or for a weapons manufacturer.

Strengths

Prosecution related to electronics, software, IT and mechanics. Litigation involving mobile communications.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Georg Jacoby, (“always does an excellent job”, competitor) Wolfgang Lippich, Alexander Münster-Horstkotte, Dr. Oswald Niederkofler, Friedrich von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Tobias Stammberger, Michael Turi (all patent attorneys)

Team

20 patent attorneys

Specialties

Active exclusively in IP. Strong focus on technical protection rights. 50 percent patent filing with a broad technical spectrum, 50 percent disputes by patent attorneys: opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings, the latter exclusively with external lawyers.

Clients

Litigation: Apple and Intel (claimants) against Qualcomm regarding nullity suit against chipset patent; Deutsche Telekom and Nokia (defendants) against Intellectual Ventures; Wiko (defendant) against Ericsson; Motorola (claimant) against Hytera; Facebook (defendants) against Blackberry (all over mobile communications); Nokia (claimant) against Daimler; Continental as co-defendant of BMW against Broadcom (both over connected cars patents); Vestas (claimant and defendant) against GE over wind power plants. Prosecution: filing and oppositions for Amadeus, Heckler & Koch, Intel, Max&Co., Novoluto, Rite-Hite, Vestas (all public knowledge).