JUVE Comment

This Düsseldorf-based patent attorney firm stands out for its involvement in the most economically significant patent disputes across all technical fields. Cohausz & Florack’s expertise and track record are particularly noteworthy in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. The team led by Christoph Walke has earned an outstanding reputation representing clients in electronic patent matters, especially in the mobile communications sector and related technologies. Beyond its work in high-profile ongoing proceedings for clients such as Nokia, the team is currently impressing with numerous new lawsuits, frequently filed on behalf of NPEs.

One of the firm’s key strengths, which secures its market-leading position, is its ability to manage generational change proactively while staying aligned with innovations and emerging technical focal points. This approach has enabled the firm to smoothly absorb the retirement of three electrical engineering partners over the past 24 months.

In pharmaceuticals and biotech, the substantial team led by Natalie Kirchhofer and Arwed Burrichter handles economically significant proceedings, particularly for pharmaceutical originators and biotech companies. The team ranks among the market’s most renowned experts, with a strong presence and extensive experience in EPO oppositions.

The firm also maintains its position as a top address for mechanical engineering matters. A current example is its representation of Magna against Valeo in a dispute concerning hybrid vehicle transmissions. This case has proven particularly contentious, arising from a failed development partnership.

European set-up

As one of the market’s strongest patent attorney firms with established litigators across all technical fields, Cohausz & Florack stands as one of the most attractive representatives at the UPC. The team features numerous renowned partners with extensive international experience, particularly in SEPs and complex pharmaceutical disputes, including work for Bayer and Nokia. The electrical engineering team has made an especially strong start at the UPC, handling cases involving mobile communications, SEPs, semiconductors, 3D printing and e-cigarettes. While pharmaceutical companies remain cautious about the UPC, resulting in less activity for the pharmaceutical and biotech specialists, the appointment of Burrichter as a technical judge at the UPC does raise potential conflicts of interest. However, if the team secures pharmaceutical, biotech and medical technology proceedings at the UPC, it could match the European market leaders. In mechanics, it is already gaining valuable experience through its representation of Magna against Valeo.

Strengths

Litigation related to mobile communications for SEP holders and for originators concerning pharmaceuticals. Also litigation regarding software and electronics.

Recommended individuals

Arwed Burrichter (“an institution”, competitor), Natalie Kirchhofer (“great expertise and coordination”, competitor), Peter Reckenthäler, Gottfried Schüll (“brilliant”, competitor), Christoph Walke, Philipe Walter, Matthias Waters (all patent attorneys)

Team

31 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: Celerity against Asus and Xiaomiover mobile communications; Palmira against AVM, Samsung and Apple over SEPs for wi-fi (settled 2024); Nokia against Amazon over video compression; Longhorn IP against Realme and Xiaomi over LTE; Magna against Caleo over hybrid vehicle transmissions; Bayer against various generics companies over stroke medication Xarelto/rivaroxaban; Sanofi against Ratiopharm over Aubagio/teriflunomid; Merck against Bayi over LCDs. EPO oppositions: Alison against Aspen Aerogels over light construction elements; Brillux against Sto over paint; Kobil against Vasco Data Security over QR code procedure; Deutsche Post DHL against IDnow over user identification; ThyssenKrupp Steel against ArcelorMittal and Tata Steel over steel production.