JUVE Comment

The IP practice at this international full-service firm has traditionally been known for representing pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Recently, however, the focus has shifted more towards advisory work in this sector rather than active litigation.

The team, led by Julia Schönbohm and Bolko Ehlgen, currently focuses primarily on electronics disputes. It handles various proceedings concerning LED technology for long-standing client Seoul Semiconductors and its subsidiary Seoul Viosys. The team also represents a logistics company, an optics manufacturer and a medical device manufacturer in German court proceedings. However, the German team has established a stronger presence at the UPC.

European set-up

Linklaters’ international patent practice benefits from strong internal cooperation, with the Frankfurt team regularly coordinating multi-jurisdictional proceedings. The Frankfurt-Paris axis is especially well-established, as demonstrated by their joint work for Seoul Viosys against Photon Wave and Laser Concept regarding LED technology at the UPC. The Frankfurt office also leads global coordination for an upcoming litigation campaign for an optics manufacturer.

In the pharmaceutical sector, the London, Frankfurt and Paris teams have a long history of collaboration in cases for originator companies such as Sanofi.

This cross-border litigation experience now proves valuable at the UPC, where German and French lawyers are conducting proceedings for Seoul Viosys at the Paris central division. A Frankfurt-London team also represents Playtech in defending against MT RealTime Live’s nullity action concerning online gaming technology.

Linklaters currently handles five separate litigation series at the UPC – an impressive caseload given the team’s relatively modest size compared to competitors. The German team leads proceedings for ALD Vacuum regarding powder manufacturing methods. Working alongside Vossius & Partner, it also represents GXD-Bio Corporation in litigation against Myriad Genetics over breast cancer diagnostic methods.

The past year’s developments at the UPC indicate Linklaters’ growing prominence at the new court. However, firms such as Hogan Lovells and Freshfields maintain stronger positions due to their teams’ closer integration in UPC matters.

Strengths

Litigation regarding electronics and pharmaceuticals.

Recommended individuals

Bolko Ehlgen (“incredibly astute and thorough lawyer”, competitor), Julia Schönbohm

Team

10 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: Seoul Semiconductor against Conrad and other distributors over LEDs; Bundesdruckerei against Credit Card Supplies and VTT over passports. Advice: optics manufacturer on global litigation against competitor; Lufthansa and Volkswagen on licensing; Carrier Global regarding strategic portfolio managment and on licensing.