JUVE Comment

Among the patent attorney firms, this Düsseldorf IP boutique is a market leader for patent litigation. In the technical fields of mobile communications and pharmaceuticals, which are rife with disputes, competitors cannot fail to encounter Cohausz & Florack these days. In high-profile SEP proceedings, the patent attorneys are hired alongside external lawyers by both Sharp and Nokia against Daimler concerning connected cars. The relationship with both clients is strong and stretches back over years. Even though the connected cars lawsuits against Daimler have now largely been settled, work is not slowing down, as the nullity suits by Daimler’s suppliers against SEPs are ongoing. Further actions from the Avanci pool are also expected.

In addition, the MPEG LA licence pool has put its trust in Gottfried Schüll and team for years. They are constantly filing new suits for pool members. Most recently, the success in the MPEG LA proceedings convinced other pool members to join a lawsuit against Hisense.

The team also leads the market when it comes to pharma proceedings. It litigated prominently for Bayer in a case of high economic importance involving its blockbuster Xarelto and CRISPR/Cas patents. Gilead also puts its faith in the team led by Arwed Burrichter and Natalie Kirchhofer, who are both among the most renowned litigators for complex, international life sciences proceedings.

The firm responded to its expanding business with organic growth by two patent attorneys. With its strategy of sustainable growth through in-house training, its position as a market leader is nailed down.

Strengths

Litigation related to software, electronics, mobile communications and pharmaceuticals.

European strategy

The nationally positioned IP boutique boasts excellent direct relationships with clients in Germany and abroad. Cohausz & Florack is clearly not following the trend of integrating mixed litigation teams under one roof. In patent infringement disputes it always partners with external lawyers. So far, the firm’s success and visibility in many high-profile proceedings have proven its strategy to be sound.

Recommended individuals

Gottfried Schüll, Arwed Burrichter (“highly experienced and knowledgeable. You always feel like you’re in the very best hands”, competitor), Natalie Kirchhofer (“simplicity and accuracy”, “creative and puts herself in the client’s shoes”, competitors), Christoph Walke (“very competent and dedicated”, “prepares technical details very well”, clients; all patent attorneys)

Team

26 patent attorneys

Partner moves

Ralph Minderop (retired)

Specialties

Patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Oppositions, nullity suits and infringement proceedings, also trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: Bayer (defendant) in EPO appeal on stroke medication Xarelto; Bayer (claimant) against Merck/Sigma-Aldrich on CRISPR/Cas; Gilead (defendant) against Teva, Hexal, Mylan, Hormosan over HIV medication Truvada; Puma (defendant) against BASF over foam for shoe soles; Nokia against Daimler over connected cars (public knowledge); Sharp (claimant) against Daimler over connected cars (public knowledge); Nokia (claimant) against Lenovo over video coding (settled in 2021); Sino-Resource (defendant) against Honeywell over coolants for air conditioning; Brillux (defendant) against DAW and STO over emulsion paints; Ocado (claimant) against AutoStore over robot-assisted automation systems; Henkel (claimant) against Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Dow, BASF and Dalli over dishwasher tabs; UPM (defendant) against Munksjö/Ahlstrom over silicone papers; Bio-tec (defendant) against Novamont over packaging; Vitasweet (defendant) against Celanese over sweeteners. filing forAscensia Diabetes Care, Auto-Kabel Management, Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology, Bilfinger Noell, Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen, Bombardier, Brillux, Carl Zeiss, Deutsche Post, Dirak, EWM, Ferdinand Lusch, Fogtec Brandschutz, Francotyp-Postalia, Fraunhofer Institute, Fritz Egger, Innogy, Kamat, Kobil Systems, Lhoist, Nomacorc, PCC, Plasmatreat, Schmitz Cargobull, SIG, Signotec, SMS Elotherm, Thyssenkrupp,UPM, Viega, Vorwerk (all public knowledge). portfolio management for Exelixis, Genentech, Roche, Goldbeck and Tesa Scribos.