JUVE Comment

The strong market position of this Munich IP boutique is based on its lawyers’ many years of litigation experience and a large number of mobile communications suits. Ampersand primarily represents NPEs, such as Unwired Planet, Invte, Onebutton, Uniloc and Wsou Investments. Hosea Haag enjoys an excellent reputation for such cases, which he conducts for these loyal clients alone or with a very small team. Ampersand frequently brings actions against numerous mobile communications giants and therefore boasts in-depth knowledge of SEPs and FRAND.

Mittelstand clients hire the firm, too, especially for technically complex proceedings. One recent example was medical product manufacturer Admedes. The high number of NPE actions, however, limits the team’s ability to enhance this activity.

For Ampersand, this year was all about a dramatic restructuring. The soft IP team doubled in size with two laterals from Hofsetter, Schurack & Partner. On the other hand, two partners left the firm, though these worked in other practices, such as pharma law, and had hardly any interfaces with the patent team. This development was also triggered by the rapid rise in the patent associate headcount. Ampersand will thus have to rethink its previously partner-centric approach. The patent team is investing in associate training to keep these in the firm and broaden the team’s base. Both are important moves if the team is to keep step with the rapid business development. The second patents partner has some way to go before enjoying the market presence of Hosea Haag, despite rising visibility.

Strengths

Litigation for NPEs regarding mobile communications, including SEPs and FRAND.

European strategy

The nationally independent litigation boutique is well versed in operating in mixed teams from various firms, thanks to its litigation for NPEs in major proceedings. It is thus relatively independent of conflicts of interest and could continue to be the first choice for NPEs in cross-border disputes, as well as at the UPC. These clients are expected to use the new court intensively.

Recommended individuals

Hosea Haag (“very experienced for particularly thorny patent issues”, “very smart”, competitors)

Team

2 partners, 3 associates

Specialties

Litigation firm with interfaces to drugs advertising law and unfair competition, as well as trademarks and technical protection rights.

Clients

Litigation: Invte (claimant) against Apple, ZTE and Huawei; Cobham (defendant) against CommScope; Onebutton (claimant) against Verizon and Google; Uniloc (claimant) against Samsung, Huawei, Netflix; Unwired Planet (claimant) against HTC; Wsou Investments (claimant) against ZTE, Huawei, Dell, Microsoft (all concerning mobile communications); Neodron (claimant) against Lenovo, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Apple over touchscreen technology; IDnow (claimant) against WebID Solutions over online identification; Admedes (claimant) against Glaukos over eye tests; Brushgate Oy (claimant) against Playbrush over toothbrushes; Valutis (claimant) against Proctor & Gamble over toothbrushes; Münster University Hospital in entitlement action against Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals; WFI Warmflascheninnovation (claimant) against Fashy over hot water bottles; Human Care Nederland (claimant) against Beka-Hospitec over standing aids; BlueID (claimant) against Tapkey over locking systems; DAF Trucks (defendant) against BPW Bergische Achsen over car brakes; DT Swiss (claimant) against J.D. Europe Components over quick releases for bicycle wheels; Wonderland against Cybex over children’s seats. Advice: Accord Healthcare, Schülke & Mayr on portfolio management.