JUVE Comment

The German patent litigation team operates within a globally integrated full-service law firm with a strong IP focus. The German practice attracts clients of varying sizes from Europe, the US and Asia, with clear specialisations in pharmaceuticals, biotech and automotive suppliers. The patent attorneys and lawyers maintain equally strong positions and typically collaborate on cases. They regularly represent core clients in significant EPO oppositions. The firm has recently secured new work from clients previously working with the large US patent practice, including MSA Safety, which manufactures breathing apparatus for fire brigades. The practice has also gained momentum regarding electronics patents.

International cooperation within Jones Day, particularly with teams in France, Italy, the UK and the US, proves highly effective in electronics and mechanics, as demonstrated by work for Lufthansa Technik. However, the firm rarely appears in the most commercially significant mobile communications disputes.

European set-up

Jones Day’s German practice has developed strong expertise in chemical and mechanical patents. The firm now effectively leverages this experience at the UPC through its first two representations: acting for Vibrantz against Heraeus, and more recently, for BioMarin concerning a drug for treating achondroplasia. These clients exemplify the practice’s potential at the UPC. The firm overall maintains a substantial client base of US and Asian companies receptive to litigation in the new court. However, the team’s current visibility remains lower than competitors such as Simmons & Simmons, partly due to less involvement in contentious matters.

Strengths

Pharma proceedings for originators. Very strong US practice.

Recommended individuals

Gerd Jaekel, Christian Paul; patent attorneys: Dorothée Weber-Bruls

Team

8 lawyers, 9 patent attorneys, 2 dual qualified

Clients

Litigation: Lufthansa Technik against Astronics, Panasonic and others over aeroplane electronics; Schwind eye-tech-solutions against Ivis Technologies over corneal lamellar grafting transplantation. EPO oppositions: Puma Biotechnology against generics over combination of lead compounds neratinib for the chemotherapeutic agent vinorelbine; Puma Biotechnology against Hexal and Generics over breast cancer drug Nerlynx; regular oppositions for Motherson Group and Akebia.