JUVE Comment

The prosecution practice of this patent attorney firm is well positioned in the life sciences sector but also has a good name for EPO oppositions and nullity suits, as well as technical support in infringement proceedings. This expertise stretches beyond the life sciences sector (especially medical products) to a wide spectrum of technical fields.

The most high-profile case at present is the defence of UK company Supponor against a suit by AIM Sport over electronic perimeter ads in sports stadiums, working with Gleiss Lutz. The economic stakes are high for both sides. The firm is also involved in a fierce battle for Hilti at the EPO against new patents for electronic appliances from competitors.

Witte Weller’s filing activity bloomed in the Covid-19 pandemic. Diazyme and Jennewein Biotechnologie are two regular clients for which the firm also litigates in EPO oppositions and, in the past, in infringement proceedings. The team is equally well positioned for electronics and mechanics patents. Not all clients’ businesses have done as well as those in the life sciences and electronics sectors, but the high number of oppositions has compensated in part for the more reserved filing figures. The firm has a strong client base of internationally active companies such as Sony for mobile communications, wifi and batteries, and Philips in IoT technology.

The firm also made strides in its internal organisation, especially the digitalisation of its own business, partly fuelled by new arrivals. Mechanical engineering specialists Lukas Klement and Dieter Späth, who came from other patent firms, bolstered the team for mechanical and plant engineering, as well as robotics and electrical engineering.

Strengths

Litigation over medical devices. Patent prosecution across a broad spectrum of technology.

Recommended individuals

Christian Steil, Volker Heuckeroth, Stephan Keck (all patent attorneys)

Team

20 patent attorneys

Partner moves

Lukas Klement (from Cartagena), Dieter Späth (from Abacus)

Specialties

Exclusive activity in IP, 80 percent of which is in patents. Filing practice with a strong focus on electronics, medical technology and mechanics. Opposition and nullity suits. Infringement proceedings with external lawyers.

Clients

Litigation: Supponor and Sportfive (defendants) against AIM Sport over electronic perimeter advertising in sports stadiums; Stihl (opponent) in various EPO oppositions over lawnmowers, high-pressure cleaners, chainsaws and power tool kit (all public knowledge). Prosecution: filing and oppositions for Boeing, Carl Zeiss, Diazyme, General Atomics, Jennewein Biotechnologie, Karl Storz, Mitsubishi Electric, Morata, Philips, Pilz, Saturn Licensing, Sony. Filing for Kawasaki, Rohm and Recaro E-Gaming.