JUVE Comment

The patent team at this national full-service law firm has established itself as a well-positioned mixed litigation practice. The addition of partner Anton Horn to the lawyer team, alongside a small but permanently integrated group of patent attorneys, is now yielding benefits not only in UPC litigation but also in national proceedings. This is particularly evident in the firm’s predominantly medium-sized company client base. For instance, the firm now represents VusionGroup against Hanshow at both the UPC and EPO.

This successful development stems from the litigation team led by partner Horn. The firm’s core SME clients, drawn from Germany and other European countries, span a broad technical spectrum, including CeramOptec, EnerDry and Brødrene Hartmann. The lawyers and patent attorneys advise US automotive supplier Veolia in both infringement and nullity proceedings. A mixed team represents Heroal in an infringement suit and parallel EPO opposition concerning window profiles.

For now, the lawyers continue to collaborate with external patent attorney firms such as Cohausz & Florack in infringement proceedings. Both firms are working together for EnerDry in an ongoing damages calculation case against BMA. The firm’s in-house patent attorney team maintains a modest filing practice serving SMEs including Aixway3D, CNH Industrial and Kima Process Control. Its most prominent prosecution client is the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).

While the patent team currently maintains limited activity in pharmaceutical cases, Heuking recently bolstered its practice with renowned life sciences lawyers from Taylor Wessing, who focus primarily on regulatory advice. One partner had previously worked regularly with Taylor Wessing’s patent team. She aims to continue this work at Heuking, potentially creating opportunities for Horn’s patent team to expand into this largely untapped sector.

European set-up

Though rarely seen in major pan-European litigation campaigns concerning pharmaceutical blockbusters or SEPs, the Heuking patent team has proven itself a formidable force in SME litigation since the UPC’s launch. Horn’s team represented Danish manufacturer Brødrene Hartmann against Omnipac in a UPC infringement case concerning sealing technology for egg cartons. Thanks to its mixed-team approach, Vusion Group retained the practice not only for a UPC revocation but also the appeal in a related PI case against Hanshow regarding electronic price tags. These PI proceedings were originally handled by Finnegan Henderson before a mixed Heuking team came on board.

Additionally, long-standing cooperation within the international WSG network provides a solid foundation for cross-border work and UPC cases, particularly in advising SMEs in multinational proceedings. The Heuking team benefits from this well-established WSG network, which includes firms with respected patent practices such as Dorda in Austria, Altius in Belgium and Plessner in Denmark.

Strengths

Litigation for SMEs, advice on know-how protection.

Recommended individuals

Anton Horn (“good strategic approach and attention to detail”, “a good lawyer with integrity and a well-established team”, competitors)

Team

5 lawyers, 2 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: EnerDry against BMA over drying plants for biomass; CeramOptec against Lightguide Optics and Endoteq over laser technology; Feintool against competitor over mechanical products; OPmobility against competitor over headlights; Veolia against competitor over technology regarding water treatment; Heroal against competitor regarding window profiles. EPO opposition: Guidance against Dentsply over dental product.