JUVE Comment

Like many patent attorney firms in Munich, Betten & Resch, with its midsized filing practice, is known for its strong base of international clients. For these, the patent attorneys also operate a well-positioned litigation practice, which has a strong focus on electronics and medical products.

In litigation, the patent attorneys have long been active for Nichia and always bank on good, but non-exclusive connections to selected firms like Taylor Wessing. With lawyers from the latter, the Betten & Resch patent attorneys are currently busy litigating for Abbott against Dexcom over glucose-monitoring patents.

Mobile communications patents traditionally play a key role in the prosecution practice. So it comes as no surprise that its best-known client is Google, which Betten & Resch mostly advises on prosecution. This connection has so far failed to translate into major litigation work. Activity in this field has been somewhat less visible of late. The firm is conducting proceedings over Wi-Fi 6 patents for a hardware distributor.

Strengths

Litigation regarding electronics and medical technology patents. Prosecution also regarding digital communication and computer technology.

European set-up

With its litigation experience and strong ties to some relevant litigation firms in the German market like Taylor Wessing, Betten & Resch has moved into position for advising on many international disputes. The firm demonstrated its competence in such cross-border battles for regular clients Abbott, REC and Nichia. The patent attorneys are also highly experienced in EPO oppositions.

Because of such connections and their long-standing expertise in disputes, the Betten & Resch patent attorneys are likely to play a significant role at the UPC – especially as the medical product sector is proving so litigious.

Although the firm could manage such cases alone, it will most likely be seen joining forces with external lawyers, as it is already doing for Abbott against Dexcom and REC against Hanwha Q-Cells. This is all the more likely as one of its main partner firms, Taylor Wessing, is making no effort to add patent attorneys to its own ranks.

Recommended individuals

Alexander Esslinger (“excellent technical understanding, a brilliantly good communicator”, competitor)

Team

12 patent attorneys

Specialties

Much filing with technical specialties in mechanics, electronics, digital communication, software and medical technology. Opposition, nullity suits and infringement proceedings.

Clients

Litigation: Abbott (claimant as well as defendant) against Dexcom in infringement and nullity proceedings over glucose-monitoring patents; REC (defendant) against Hanwha Q-Cells regarding EPO oppositions and infringement claims over solar-cell technology; hardware distributor (defendant) against Huawei in infringement proceedings over Wi-Fi 6 patents; Nichia (claimant) against Everlight in infringement proceedings over LED patents; WSA (defendant and opponent) against various competitors in EPO opposition over hearing-aid patents; Medtentia (defendant) against Edwards Lifesciences in EPO opposition over heart-valve patents. Prosecution: patent filing for Google, Hitachi, Hoya, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Jtekt, Microchip Technology, NEC, Nichia, Renesas, Scholl’s Wellness, Silicon Storage, Snowflake, SuperSonic, Trackman, Tokai Rika Denki, Oki Data, OpenText, ZTE (all public knowledge).