JUVE Comment

This Munich patent attorney firm is visible in the market with its technically broad prosecution practice as well as a pronounced focus on litigation. When it comes to pharma and biotech patents, work centres on major opposition suits before the EPO regarding ingredients of great economic importance. These oppositions frequently have the character of large series of cases, including Sandoz against Biogen’s multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri and various strawman oppositions against CRISPR patents.

In infringement proceedings, disputes over mobile communications patents predominate. Axel Katérle has an outstanding name for these. Working with external lawyers, Wuesthoff & Wuesthoff litigated for LG in several suits against NPEs. But this work is now coming under pressure, as the Korean corporation recently gave up its mobile communications division. The firm could, however, attract more infringement cases given the rise in opposition work for up-and-coming Chinese mobile communications manufacturers, such as Xiaomi and Oppo. Increased involvement in connected cars suits could compensate for this further. Despite vast experience with SEPs and close relationships with auto suppliers, the firm is still not hired by the auto industry for these.

In the late summer of 2021, the firm suffered a major setback when partner Bernhard Thum, known for his expertise in mechanical patents, split off with two other partners and three associates to form his own firm. The departures are above all a bitter blow to the firm’s prosecution work in mechanics and engineering. The team are taking important clients such as Edwards Lifesciences and SRAM

Strengths

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

Recommended individuals

Axel Katérle (“first-rate”, client; “extensive know-how in mobile communication standards”, competitor), Bernd Laqua (“particular experience in computer-implemented inventions”, client), Steffen Schmidt (“very good service and quality”, client), Hendrik Wichmann (all patent attorneys)

Team

33 patent attorneys

Partner moves

Bernhard Thum (to own firm)

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: LG (defendant) against Fipa and Conversant; Ericsson (defendant) against Wiko regarding EPO opposition;Asus (defendant) against Philips (all over mobile communications); Novozymes (defendant) against DSM over enzyme in milk products; Polpharma/Sandoz (claimant) against Biogen on EPO opposition over MS drug natalizumab; strawman on EPO opposition against Sanofi over pharma ingredient; strawman on EPO opposition over CRISPR/Cas patents; Alcon (claimant and defendant) against AMO over eye laser technology; AOC (claimant) against Tridonic on opposition against basic patent for white LEDs. Prosecution: Xiaomi and Oppo regarding EPO oppositions (public knowledge); filing and oppositions for Airbus, Colgate-Palmolive, Eastman-Kodak, Fanuc, LG, Olympus, Scania, Stryker, Tencent (public knowledge); Italian apple grower on plant variety protection.