JUVE Comment

In recent years, EIP has established itself as a major player in the market with high-profile proceedings concerning mobile communications and connectivity patents. The Düsseldorf team acts on behalf of patent holders such as Broadcom/Avago and Sonos. It has recently expanded and deepened these client relationships. EIP is active for the former in disputes with Stellantis and Tesla over connected cars involving SEPs and FRAND. Broadcom/Avago also instructed EIP as co-counsel with Grünecker for one of the first claims at the UPC against Tesla.

In addition to its established specialty in mobile communications, the team is branching into other sectors, among them consumer electronics, retail technology und precision tools. EIP also broadened its client base in medical technology – a promising field for patent suits, often fought on a global level where companies pull no punches.

EIP is further expanding its Düsseldorf practice and, like the London office, is relying on a mixed set-up. A young patent attorney with experience in SEP proceedings has joined the team from Hogan Lovells. For the first time, the firm appointed two young partners in the still-young German office, thus underpinning its long-term growth plans with new talent from its own ranks.

European set-up

EIP is now reaping the rewards of its international growth. The cooperation established last year with Paris-based IP boutique Amar Goussu Staub, EIP-Amar, is not yet being used in the UPC proceedings for Avago. However, the Düsseldorf team is working closely with the French name partner Cyrille Amar in the UPC case for Labrador Systems.

The team is increasingly drawing on the technical expertise of the UK and Swedish patent attorneys. Although the Stockholm office currently focuses on prosecution, it also opens the door to the UPC’s Nordic-Baltic regional division. For clients such as Conversant, IP Bridge and Sonos, EIP has proven in recent years how well its cross-border cooperation works.

With its UK patent attorneys and lawyers boasting a wealth of litigation experience – even though the latter are not directly authorised to litigate at the new court – EIP can assemble large, mixed teams for UPC cases. This is an advantage over some UK, German or French litigation boutiques that must rely on their best-friend firms.

Strengths

Litigation for SEP holders concerning mobile communications, including SEPs and FRAND.

Recommended individuals

Christof Höhne (“very good pleadings”, “expert in mobile communications”, competitors), Florian Schmidt-Bogatzky (“very good”, competitor)

Team

7 lawyers, 1 patent attorney

Clients

Litigation: Broadcom/Avago against Tesla over controls for infotainment systems; Broadcom/Avago against Netflix over video coding patents; Broadcom/Avago against Stellantis over connected cars; Datang against Samsung over mobile communications (settled 2024); Sonos against Google over controls for audio systems. Advice: strategic advice to Visa and Frankenman; Sony on FTO analysis.