JUVE Comment

The very well-positioned prosecution practice is the foundation for the highly acclaimed mixed litigation team of this Munich IP boutique. Lorenz Seidler files patents for numerous Mittelstand technology companies, such as Alois Pöttinger Maschinenbau, as well as well-known brand manufacturers, such as Ford, Fresenius Medical Care and Liebherr. The patent attorneys frequently litigate in opposition and nullity suits for these clients, too. The firm generally conducts infringement proceedings for these regular clients with its own lawyers. There has been a recent rise in litigation for Chinese companies, for example a solar technology manufacturer.

Unlike competitors such as Bardehle Pagenberg, however, the litigators are rarely hired by clients for whom Lorenz Seidler does not file patents. Lorenz Seidler is seen as more of a representative for traditional technical fields, such as mechanical engineering, electronics or medical technology. The litigators are rarely involved in the extensive pharma and mobile communications suits. The only prestigious case is Telefónica/O2, which Lorenz Seidler defended against an NPE suit in mobile communications. The litigators have not yet been seen in the connected cars proceedings, despite the firm’s good connections in the auto industry.

Lorenz Seidler is making efforts to ensure that clients of O2’s calibre end up on the litigation team’s desk more often. The firm appointed a chemicals/electrical engineering specialist with litigation experience to equity partner. Together with the lawyers, younger partners now want to form a specialist team for litigation. Connected cars work for regular client Ford, for example, could open the door to more work in the top trend of the day.

Strengths

Patent prosecution with technical expertise in mechanical engineering, electronics and automotive. Litigation with mixed teams.

European strategy

Lorenz Seidler Gossel is first and foremost a national IP boutique, which looks after German Mittelstand companies. But with rising litigation activity in major mobile communications suits and for Chinese companies, the firm has not been idle in preparation for large, cross-border cases as well as the UPC. The firm has been unable to deepen its cooperation with a French and a British firm since the UPC launch date is unclear. But with its mixed litigation practice, Lorenz Seidler meets an important requirement for cases before the UPC, should this materialise after all.

Recommended individuals

Dieter Laufhütte, Uwe Herrmann, (“meticulous and reliable colleague”, competitor), Veit Kirchner (“he is a great patent attorney for mechanical patents”, client; all patent attorneys)

Team

10 patent attorneys, 5 lawyers

Specialties

All-round IP activity with strong practice in trademarks and unfair competition. Patent activity centres on patent prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings.

Clients

Litigation: O2/Telefónica (defendant) against Intellectual Ventures and Munitech over mobile communications; Geox (claimant) against competitor over shoes; Liebherr (claimant) against competitor over construction machines; Credit Card Supplies (claimant) against Bundesdruckerei and VVT regarding ID technology patent; IMES (defendant) against Kirstler regarding sensors for car motors; Pongratz Trailer (defendant) against Humbauer regarding car trailers; regular litigation for Alois Pöttinger Maschinenbau, Fibertex, Ford, Fresenius Medical Care and Mazda; Chinese manufacturer of solar plants over inverters. Prosecution: filing and oppositions for Allianz, Alois Pöttinger Maschinenbau, Blizzard Sport, Bulthaupt, Carl Zeiss, CRRC Group, DSM Nutrition, dy-pack, Fibertex, Fresenius Medical Care, Ford, GE, KSB, Liebherr, Mazda, SK Group, Telefonica, Vivonic and Wabtec; KSB (claimant) on oppositions over pump technology.