JUVE Comment

This Stuttgart patent attorney firm represents its clients, primarily German SMEs, in nullity suits and oppositions at the EPO, with a specialty in mechanical engineering, mechanics and electronics patents. The team is also nicely positioned for comprehensive prosecution activity spanning a wide technical spectrum.

Dreiss has stepped up work for notable corporations in cross-border infringement suits alongside various prominent law firms. The team joined forces with lawyers from Hoyng ROKH Monegier to advise Philip Morris in its pan-European patent dispute with BAT over e-cigarettes. The tobacco company also counts on the Dreiss patent attorneys in an EPO opposition against JT International and Nicoventures. The dispute between Pioneer and TomTom over navigation technology is also part of greater litigation activity.

Work for German SMEs in China is another practice mainstay. Dreiss coordinates proceedings for companies such as J. Schmalz and Swiss auto supplier Kinetix. Here, the firm relies on an informal network for infringement proceedings before the Chinese courts. Despite this expansion, Dreiss cannot yet rival the market leaders Cohausz & Florack, df-mp and Bardehle, as it has yet to find its place in the major mobile communications and pharma battles.

Strengths

Patent litigation and prosecution in engineering, mechanics and electronics.

European set-up

As a national prosecution firm, the Dreiss patent attorneys often work in cooperation with external lawyers for litigation. They have good contacts at McDermott and Hoyng ROKH Monegier, for example. The firm teamed up with the latter to advise on the technical aspects of the extensive dispute over heat-not-burn technology in e-cigarettes, proving that it can also play a role in cross-border cases on the patent attorney side.

But there is no guarantee that collaborations with external lawyers will run as smoothly at the UPC, as many firms are adjusting their strategies. Dreiss recognises this and is currently building strategic partnerships with law firms – in Germany and other countries, where it has had strong links to patent attorney firms for years.

Recommended individuals

Thomas Knapp, Alexander Bulling (“excellent”, competitor), Andreas Pfund (“outstanding”, competitor), David Sinz, Klaus Thielking (all patent attorneys)

Team

18 patent attorneys

Specialties

All-round activity in IP with a clear focus on patent prosecution and a broad technical spectrum. Opposition and nullity suits, infringement proceedings with external lawyers.

Clients

Litigation: Philip Morris (defendant) against BAT over e-cigarettes; Philip Morris (opponent) against JTI and Nicoventures regarding EPO opposition over e-cigarettes as well as traditional cigarettes; Barberán (defendant) against Hymmen over wood printing technology; Pioneer (claimant) against TomTom over navigation technology; Minol (defendant) against Siemens over building technology; Storopack (defendant) against Ranpak over packaging machines; coordination of infringement suit in China for Kinetix and J. Schmalz (both claimants); frequent EPO oppositions and nullity suits for Paul Hartmann regarding medical technology; Uhu (defendant) against Henkel over glue. Advice: Robert Bosch on mechanical engineering and electronics patents. Prosecution: patent filing and oppositions for Automotive Lighting, Appotronics, Bosch Packaging, Conmed, Deutsche Augenoptik, HMS Medical, J.Schmalz, LG Innotek, Nokia Solutions and Networks, Marelli Automotive, Paul Hartmann, Rheinmetall, Robert Bosch, Schunk, StarMed, Trumpf, Verifone, ZF Friedrichshafen, German car manufacturers.