JUVE Comment

This mixed IP boutique stands out for its active filing practice and representation in infringement actions for mobile communications clients. The team enjoys particular regard among Asian clients and continues to expand this client base. A recent highlight was concluding the dispute between AVM and Huawei concerning the Fritz Box. The appeal to the Federal Constitutional Court in the Haier vs Sisvel case remains ongoing. The mixed litigation team includes solicitor Marco Scheffler, who has built a strong reputation in SEP and FRAND disputes. For other proceedings, the patent attorneys also collaborate with lawyers from other firms.

The firm’s prosecution practice continues to develop dynamically, with regular clients including Samsung Electronics and Thyssenkrupp, and encompasses active representation in EPO oppositions.

The firm maintains steady growth, achieved through both internal development and external expansion. Gulde’s integration of Berlin patent attorney firm Jungblut & Seuss last year enhanced the team’s medical technology expertise and client base. The firm has also gained new clients in the e-health sector.

Most recently, Gulde established a new office in Dresden, recruiting a patent attorney from Viering Jentschura. This strategic move brings the firm closer to eastern Germany’s IT cluster, which attracts Chinese companies and thus aligns well with the firm’s profile.

European set-up

As a mixed practice with a substantial team of patent attorneys offering broad technical expertise, Gulde is well positioned to represent clients at the UPC – whether through mixed teams or patent attorneys alone. Despite strong connections with prominent mobile phone companies such as Oppo and Xiaomi, the team is not involved in Oppo’s extensive litigation against Panasonic at the UPC. For this court, these clients have primarily instructed firms with more extensive experience in cross-border patent disputes than Gulde.

While the mixed litigation team has yet to demonstrate its capabilities at the UPC, its strong relationships with Asian clients and robust client base in medical technology and automotive sectors present significant potential for future UPC proceedings.

Strengths

Patent litigation related to electronics and telecoms patents. Strong presence among Asian companies.

Recommended individuals

Marco Scheffler, Nicolas Haße (“ambitious and very good”, competitor), Sönke Lorenz, Martin Thimm (patent attorney)

Team

35 patent attorneys, 3 lawyers, 1 dual qualified

Clients

Litigation: Oppo against KPN over telecommunications patents; Xiaomi against Bell Northern Research over telecommunications (settled 2024); AVM against Huawei over wi-fi 6 patents (settled 2024); Bestway against Intex Marketing over inflatable products; Haier against Sisvel over SEPs for advanced audio coding (complaint before the German Constitutional Court). EPO oppositions: UACJ Corporation against Constantia Teich, Speira, AMAG rolling and Carcano Antonio over aluminium alloy foils; Samsung Electronics against Dyson over vacuum cleaner; Imperial Tobacco against Philip Morris and Juul Labs over e-cigarettes (all public knowledge).