JUVE Comment

The patent attorneys at this mixed IP boutique have a strong reputation for prosecution and litigation across a broad technological spectrum. The client base is currently growing, mainly due to new work from Asian companies, including in medical technology. The firm is regularly involved in inspection proceedings.

In addition to expanding its client base in Asia, the firm is also undergoing an internal transformation process. After several departures weakened the firm’s lawyer team in recent years, the IP boutique received a shot in the arm with seven patent attorneys. Four of these were incorporated directly into the partnership. The team joined the Munich office and brought an office in Ludwigshafen. It also has a proven specialisation in chemistry with clients such as BASF. The firm had already expanded its expertise in mobile communications litigation at the end of 2022 with the addition of three experienced patent attorneys from Gramm Lins. Meissner Bolte has thus demonstrated it can be attractive for lateral patent attorneys. The lawyer team is smaller and less visible.

European set-up

The mixed practice has been involved in some interesting UPC cases in various technological fields. For example, it is representing Bitzer in an isolated revocation action against Carrier at the Paris central division. EPO opposition proceedings are also pending. The team successfully argued before the Court of Appeal that the revocation action can be brought even when there are parallel opposition proceedings pending.

The firm is also involved in the filter cartridge dispute for its long-standing client Brita. In addition, the team is defending Beko against Dolby in an SEP dispute regarding televisions. The team thus successfully represents medium-sized companies and subsidiaries of corporate groups at the UPC. The court’s reach is appealing, particularly for consumer goods manufacturers.

Strengths

Litigation on the patent attorney side regarding mechanical and mobile communications patents.

Recommended individuals

Florian Meyer, Gernot Schröer, Jasper Werhahn, Stefan Zech (all patent attorneys)

Team

58 patent attorneys, 7 lawyers

Partner moves

Wolfgang Thalhammer, Andreas Rabe, Michael Pohl, Andreea Schuster-Haberhauer (all from Reitstötter Kinzebach)

Clients

Litigation: CommScope against Comlab and Solid over wi-fi repeaters in trains; CommScope against Cobham over antennas; Cybex against various competitors over children’s seats; opposition for Bitzer Electronics, Electrolux, Johnson Controls, Wago. Filing for Aco Severin, Alcoa, Brita, Cybex, Gama Healthcare, Mitsubishi Electric.