JUVE Comment

The mixed firm has a strong prosecution practice, active across a wide variety of technical fields, and this is also a driver of litigation activity. The patent attorneys are very active in EPO oppositions in the fields of computer technology, including semiconductors and software, as well as mobile communications, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. The particularly good relationships with Asian and US clients ensure a steady flow of work.

The small lawyer team also represents clients in infringement and nullity proceedings, often in tandem with the firm’s patent attorneys. While well-known corporations such as Intel, LG and Fuji Electric also rely on Boehmert & Boehmert at the EPO, the firm primarily represents medium-sized companies in infringement proceedings in connection with mechanics or electronics patents. However, the patent attorneys also work with external lawyers, for example from GvW Graf von Westphalen for Hörmann against Assa Abloy regarding doors for industrial buildings.

Overall, the firm is less visible in infringement proceedings than other mixed teams, such as Hoffmann Eitle and Vossius, and is seen less often in large-scale cross-border litigation. The patent attorneys are experienced in litigation, but the lawyer team is too small and low profile compared to the market leaders.

European set-up

With its many years of experience in litigation and one of the largest teams on the market, Boehmert & Boehmert has managed to position itself well for the UPC. Not only is the law firm now assisting regular client MED-EL at the UPC as well as at national courts, but Europe Forestry and Hefei Xinhu Canned Motor Pump are also relying on the team for their defence against patent holders at the UPC. The firm’s lawyers and patent attorneys work hand in hand. Boehmert & Boehmert’s deep roots among Asian and US clients could further boost its presence at the UPC.

Strengths

Litigation for SMEs in mechanical engineering, medical devices, electronics and pharmaceuticals.

Recommended individuals

Christian Appelt, Thomas Bittner, Markus Engelhard (all patent attorneys)

Team

42 patent attorneys, 5 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: Bundesdruckerei against Credit Card Supplies and VTT over passports; MED-EL against Advanced Bionics over cochlear implants; Hörmann against Kruzik and Assa Abloy over garage doors; M.E. Dorcas against Assa Abloy over door locks; Mikron Tool against Gühring over micro drills; Minitüb against IMV over technology for animal reproduction; Polytech Health against Silimed over breast implants; Sparda-Bank West against Teletan Software over mobile verification process (settled 2023); Wonderland against Cybex over children’s car seats; opposition for Samsung Bioepis against AbbVie over Humira/adalimumab (all public knowledge).