JUVE Comment

This pure patent attorney firm from Stuttgart is excellently positioned in litigation for German SMEs. The traditional law firm also has extensive experience in litigation across a broad technical spectrum, especially nullity actions and EPO oppositions related to mechanical engineering, mechanics and electronics. In addition, the patent attorneys conduct infringement proceedings alongside various external lawyers, for example they represent Philip Morris against BAT with Hoyng ROKH Monegier. The firm has loyal clients among automotive suppliers and medical device manufacturers, such as Robert Bosch and Paul Hartmann. This specialisation holds further potential for national and international disputes, as companies have increasingly enforced patents for medical and battery technology in recent years.

Work for German SMEs in China is another practice mainstay. Dreiss coordinates proceedings for companies such as Swiss auto supplier Kinetix. Here, the firm relies on an informal network for infringement proceedings before the Chinese courts.

At the same time, Dreiss is undergoing a generational change. Following Oliver Friz’s move to of counsel status last year, Tillmann Hellwig has now also retired from the partner ranks. Both are still active in an advisory capacity but are placing responsibility in the hands of the younger patent attorneys. The firm emphasised this development with the appointment of a partner.

European set-up

Dreiss is well positioned for UPC work thanks to its size, technological breadth and extensive litigation experience – including in pan-European proceedings, such as for Philip Morris. The good contacts to medical device manufacturers and automotive suppliers could translate into UPC work, as some proceedings from the medical technology sector that were previously conducted nationally are already pending at the UPC. However, Dreiss has not yet been involved in these cases.

Strengths

Patent litigation in engineering, mechanics and electronics.

Recommended individuals

Alexander Bulling, Thomas Knapp, Andreas Pfund (“quick and thorough”, competitor), David Sinz, Klaus Thielking (“reliable, well organised, experienced, extensive expertise especially in the automotive field, very good litigator”, competitor) (all patent attorneys)

Team

21 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: Philip Morris against BAT over e-cigarettes; Koroyd against Burton over ski and snowboard helmets; Pioneer against TomTom over navigation technology; regular litigation for Robert Bosch and Essity. Oppositions: Philip Morris against JTI and Nicoventures over e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes; BPW against SAF-Holland over control arm (all public knowledge).