JUVE Comment

This Munich patent attorney firm boasts a strong and technically broad prosecution practice, as well as a pronounced litigation specialty. In pharma and biotech patents, the firm is most active in major opposition suits at the EPO involving important active ingredients. These are often strawman suits against competitors’ patents. W&W underscored its expertise in chemicals patents and consumer goods with extensive work for Colgate-Palmolive. In infringement proceedings, on the other hand, the patent attorneys are primarily involved in mobile communications cases. W&W partnered with external lawyers in litigation for LG in several proceedings against NPEs. Axel Katérle is also visible in a large dispute for Asus. Despite this expertise, the firm has so far not been hired for connected cars suits. However, the blend of experience in mobile communications cases and strong ties to auto suppliers would be a good basis for this.

Strengths

Patent prosecution with technical expertise in mechanics, electronics and biotech. Plant variety protection. Mobile communications litigation.

Recommended individuals

Bernhard Thum (“excellent strategic advice”, competitor), Axel Katérle (“very extensive knowledge on FRAND issues”, competitor), Hendrik Wichmann (all patent attorneys)

Team

36 patent attorneys

Specialties

All-round IP activity. Patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Nullity and opposition suits, infringement proceedings, generally with external litigators. Mainly active for automotive, biotech, pharma and chemicals companies.

Clients

Litigation: Asus (defendant) against Philips, LG (defendant) against Fipa and Conversant; Ericsson (defendant) against Wiko regarding EPO opposition (all over mobile communications); Globalfoundries (claimant) against TSMC over chipset technology (settled 2019, public knowledge); Novozymes (defendant) against DSM over lactose-free milk; Sram (both clamant and defendant) against Shimano over bicycle technology; Swiss Pharma (claimant) against Biogen over Tysabri; strawman on EPO opposition against Sanofi over pharma ingredient; AOC (claimant) against Tridonic on opposition against basic patent for white LEDs. Prosecution: filing and oppositions for Airbus, Colgate-Palmolive, Edwards Lifesciences; Eastman-Kodak, Fanuc, Juul, LG, Olympus, Scania, Stryker, ZF TRW.