JUVE Comment

The well-positioned patent practice of this German full-service law firm is renowned for its extensive litigation for its core SME clients. The team around Matthias Sonntag is regularly involved in strategic advice, pre-litigation licensing negotiations and patent litigation. Advice on SEPs plays an important role here. The practice, like the firm as a whole, has an excellent specialisation in pharma and regularly represents core clients such as Hexal and Sandoz in extensive proceedings.

The large team continues to grow. Following the most recent appointment, the team now has a strong core of four counsel. Now that senior partner Thomas Bopp has retired, the next logical step is to develop a second partner. This would also be sensible in view of the UPC, to demonstrate a critical mass compared to competitors.

European set-up

Gleiss Lutz made its first foray into UPC cases with its work for Supponor and Sportfive over hardware-based technology for electronic perimeter advertising in sports stadiums. The team has been conducting the case nationally for two years and is now running the UPC case in parallel. This work shows the firm’s potential when national proceedings are transferred to the UPC. Gleiss Lutz also has some experience in conducting pan-European proceedings together with other law firms, and could be of interest to its core clients in the life sciences sector. However, there is strong competition in this sector from internationally integrated teams in other law firms.

Strengths

Litigation concerning pharmaceuticals.

Recommended individuals

Matthias Sonntag, Herwig Lux

Partner moves

Thomas Bopp (retired)

Team

12 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: Supponor and Sportfive against AIM Sport Vision over hardware-based technology for electronic perimeter advertising in stadiums; frequent litigation for Procter & Gamble, Hexal und Sandoz. Advice: ongoing to Alfred Kärcher, Andreas Stihl, Karl Storz, Procter & Gamble; Sony on mobile communications and HbbTV.