JUVE Comment

This IP firm is one of the market-leading mixed firms. Its patent attorneys have been among the very top litigators for oppositions at the EPO and nullity suits for years. But Vossius is most successful these days with its mixed approach. The team of lawyers, who are striving towards market leadership, are active in many infringement proceedings.

The firm laid the foundations for this development with good networking among Asian clients, combined with in-depth knowledge of mobile communications patents and FRAND aspects. ZTE and Wiko have long put their trust in Vossius. Chinese mobile communications manufacturer Xiaomi also opted for the firm. Vossius underpinned its strategy of expanding its client relationships with Asian companies by cleverly bringing in a counsel experienced in mobile communications litigation, who is also a Korean native speaker, from competitor Braun-Dulläus Emmerling.

Vossius also has traditional strengths in biotech and medical technology patents. Regular clients include CRISPR Therapeutics. Alcon hired the firm for a major series of proceedings involving laser eye surgery. Traditional high-tech clients also entrust the firm with high-stakes disputes. The most recent examples include Sungrow regarding photovoltaics and Online Cleaning regarding a cleaning technology for waste incineration plants.

Strengths

Patent prosecution with broad technical expertise. Mixed litigation teams, mainly concerning pharmaceuticals, biotech, mechanics and mobile communications.

European strategy

In its international cases, Vossius often works with Bristows in London and Brinkhof in Amsterdam, with whom it has close ties. Despite this, Vossius plays a role in international cases more often than, for example, Grünecker. The Vossius patent litigators are on a par with international firms like Hoyng ROKH Monegier and Bird & Bird, thanks to informal relationships with other European patent teams. In the latest international proceedings for Alcon, Vossius is working with the UK and US offices of Kirkland & Ellis. The good connection to the US firm was already evident in the cooperation for BAT in the e-cigarette battle with Philip Morris.

Recommended individuals

Andreas Kramer (“very efficient lawyer”, client), Thure Schubert, Georg Rauh (“solid SEP specialist”, client), Kai Rüting (“experienced, pragmatic, good”, competitor); patent attorneys: Gerhard Hermann, Hans-Rainer Jaenichen (“excellent for life sciences EPO oppositions”, competitor), Elard Frhr. von Schenck zu Schweinsberg

Team

53 patent attorneys, 14 lawyers (incl. 30 partners, 3 counsel, 27 associates, 6 of counsel)

Specialties

All-round IP activity. Strong patent prosecution department with three technical practices: chemicals, life sciences and technology (incl. mobile communications). Litigation in integrated teams. Trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: Archos (defendant) against Via Licensing over audio and video coding; Wiko (defendant) against Philips, Via Licensing and Intellectual Ventures; Xiaomi (defendant) against Mitsubishi, General Electric, IP Bridge, Philips on HEVC/H.265-Standards; ZTE against INVTE (over mobile communications); TCL (defendant) against VoiceAge over language codex; British American Tobacco (defendant) against Philip Morris over e-cigarettes; CRISPR Therapeutics (opponent) against Broad Institute on opposition against basic patent; Alcon (claimant) against Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, AMO Manufacturing, LLC AMO Ireland, AMO Germany on eye laser technology; Boston Scientific (claimant) against Nevo over pain management through neuromodulation; Sungrow (defendant) against Fraunhofer; Online Cleaning (claimant) against Remondis and Eichner Innovative in nullity and cancellation case over cleaning technology for waste incineration plants. Advice: Lenovo on hearing witnesses against InterDigital. Prosecution: numerous oppositions for Roche; filing and oppositions for 3M, Beijing Goldwind, Boston Scientific, IMC Group, Iscar, LG, Max Planck Society, NEC, ResMed, Roche, Sumitomo.