JUVE Comment

DLA Piper is excellently positioned for infringement proceedings for clients in the mobile communications, mechanical engineering, and consumer goods industries. Reputable clients such as HP and Nike regularly trust the team with their many lawsuits. The practice is also well positioned for proceedings involving SEPs and network technology, such as for Extreme Networks. However, it still lacks a steady presence in high-volume proceedings to put it at the same level as law firms such as Preu Bohlig.

Last year, the team around Philipp Cepl was strengthened by the appointment of two young partners from within the firm, and these used their first year as partners to win new clients, for example Belkin. DLA’s strength in life sciences offers further opportunities for expansion. However, the firm suffered a setback when senior partner Markus Gampp left the team in spring.

European set-up

Unaffected by the departure, the Munich team around new partner Constanze Krenz led UPC and national proceedings for Belkin against Philips, demonstrating its experience in SEPs. Consumer goods manufacturer Dyson, previously a regular client of the firm’s UK arm, also entrusted a UPC lawsuit to the young Munich team. Toyota also relied on an international team from DLA Piper for a UPC nullity suit. The firm has thus shown it is well prepared for the new court with its national and international teams.

Strengths

Mobile communications litigation on the implementer side, including FRAND. Revocation cases without external patent attorneys.

Recommended individuals

Burkhard Führmeyer (“tried and tested litigator”, competitor), Philipp Cepl

Team

10 lawyers

Partner moves

Markus Gampp (to own firm)

Clients

Litigation: Belkin against Philips over SEP for wireless chargers; Extreme Networks against Orckit IP over network technology; Ardagh Group against Bound2B over resealable opening for beverage cans; Harman in nullity suit against Broadcom/Avago over connected car patents; regularly HP and Nike.