JUVE Comment

The mixed team at this large IP firm has established itself as a challenger in the patent litigation market. A substantial number of SMEs and international companies trust the team comprehensively with prosecution work and, increasingly, litigation. The firm represents Zhuhai CosMX Battery, for example, in an extensive patent battle against competitors over battery technology.

Overall, Eisenführ Speiser has emerged stronger from a period of transition, partly due to its success in protecting and maintaining its core client base. The team has integrated lateral hires and strengthened internal collaboration. While increasingly standing out for high-profile litigation proceedings, it maintains a solid foundation serving its traditional mid-market clients in both prosecution and litigation work.

Michael Schneider, rising home-grown talents like Sönke Scheltz and new arrivals Philipp Rastemborski and Florian Henke are winning the trust of long-standing prosecution clients for litigation matters.

The integration of a five-strong life sciences team around partners Martin Nohlen and André Guder marks a significant advance in this competitive technological field. Companies such as US chemicals group Exxon Mobil, US cosmetics company Mary Kay, as well as Beiersdorf, Boehringer Ingelheim and Ferring now count among the firm’s regular clients. Simultaneously, existing life sciences clients benefit from the new team members’ extensive SPC expertise.

European set-up

Eisenführ has already achieved notable successes for clients at the UPC and ranks among the mixed firms with substantial experience at the new court. Highlights include proceedings for Headwater against Motorola and Apple and Samsung, where the litigation team leverages its mobile communications expertise.

The team is also involved in UPC cases across numerous other technical fields. It represents long-standing client Philips in parallel proceedings before national courts and the UPC, including disputes against competitors over electric toothbrushes and against Belkin concerning wireless charging, as well as litigation against competitors regarding razors.

Strengths

Litigation for patent holders (including various NPEs) in mobile communications, including SEPs and FRAND, as well as mechanics, electronics and medical devices. Increasing high-profile prosecution in chemicals and life sciences.

Recommended individuals

Sönke Scheltz (“well structured and convincing”, competitor), Michael Schneider; patent attorneys: Jochen Ehlers, Klaus Göken, Joachim von Oppen, Manuel Söldenwagner

Team

6 lawyers, 55 patent attorneys

Partner moves

Martin Nohlen, André Guder (both from Uexküll & Stolberg)

Clients

Litigation: Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology against Asus over wi-fi 6; Zhuhai CosMX Battery against Tulip Innovation and Ningde Amperex over smartphone and laptop batteries; Philips against Belkin over wireless charging; Philips against Synaptics and Google over audio-video interfaces; Shenzen Woody Vapes against Pixan Oy over controls for e-cigarettes; Veridium IP against Identy over AI-based biometric fingerprint recognition; Hoya Surgical Optics against Ophthalmo Pro over intra-ocular lenses; Symrise against Stada over suncream; Silimed against Polytech Health & Aesthetics over manufacturing process for breast implants; Siegfried against Zentiva over blood-pressure-lowering drug Caramlo; Ecko-Pack against Packable over food packaging; Enercon against EEEL over rotors for wind-power plants; EIS against Lelo Europe, Erotic Feel, Beautycos, Pervisio, Svakom, Ann Summers, TenTwelve E-Commerce and Bijoux Indiscrets over pressure wave massagers.