JUVE Comment

The patent attorneys are excellently positioned for EPO oppositions and the technical part of proceedings, especially when it comes to biotech, pharmaceuticals and electronics. Its international client base is entrusting the Munich IP firm with an increasing proportion of prosecution work. The team is also benefiting from the uptick in filing among communications companies, while AI filings are an important field of investment for numerous clients. The growing core client base includes, for example, the electronics group Xiaomi, the computer games manufacturer Tencent and the Korean e-cigarette manufacturer KT&G.

The firm has an excellent reputation in biotech and pharmaceuticals and represents generics companies in economically significant EPO oppositions. It is also one of the most active Munich firms in straw man oppositions here, for example concerning the blockbuster Keytruda. A major success over the past few years has been the representation of Novozymes against DSM regarding lactose-free milk.

After a high turnover of staff in recent years, the firm is now committed to a growth strategy that includes training its own staff and taking on young talent from competitors.

To fulfill the firm’s growth course and to help young talents gain visibility, the firm can use its participation in economically significant and therefore very elaborate EPO oppositions as a straw man and on the side of generic drug manufacturers. In disputes over electronics patents, including those related to AI, the firm has continuously developed young partners in recent years and can thus maintain its market reputation despite the fluctuation.

European set-up

Although the firm has not yet actively represented clients in UPC cases, its strong presence in EPO oppositions and the resulting close cooperation with UK firms such as Bristows for some biotech and pharmaceutical clients suggests that it will continue this work before the UPC when these clients use the new system.

Even communications companies like Xiaomi have not yet used the court to such an extent. Overall, the firm remains true to its approach of convincing its clients with growing, high-quality litigation work and therefore regularly appears in disputes, particularly in EPO oppositions.

Strengths

Mobile communications, pharma and biotech litigation.

Recommended individuals

Bernd Laqua, Rainer Röthinger, Steffen Schmidt, Hendrik Wichmann (“our choice for EPO oppositions”, client; all patent attorneys)

Team

28 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: Novozymes against DSM over enzyme in milk products; straw man in EPO opposition against Merck over cancer drug Keytruda. Oppositions for Airbus, Colgate-Palmolive, Ericsson, Hyundai, KT&G Corporation, LG, Olympus, Tencent, Xiaomi (public knowledge).