JUVE Comment

The Munich IP team led by Thomas Lynker is renowned for its consistent representation of mobile communications implementers such as ZTE. Since early 2025, the team has been collaborating with Vossius & Partner to represent its long-standing client in an intense dispute with Samsung over a global SEP portfolio licence in German courts and at the UPC. Acer has also relied on the Munich team for years and is currently retaining Taliens in several proceedings against Nokia before German courts and the UPC. Additionally, numerous smaller cases involving mobile communications, network, semiconductor and wi-fi technology ensure a steady stream of work for the Munich practice. This is supplemented by minor proceedings in other sectors, such as for Stronglight concerning bicycle mudguards.

The practice has only occasionally been retained for medical device or pharmaceutical cases, but it remains involved in a preliminary injunction for cannabis substance manufacturer Candoro and a new case against Nemera regarding eye drop dispensers.

However, the economic success and reputation of the small team is founded on its extensive experience with SEPs. It manages the current high volume of cases from regular clients with a relatively compact team. Recently, Taliens has struggled to continue growing with new clients. The appointment of Christian Werner as partner is therefore a step in the right direction, as the practice’s previous strong focus on Lynker also carries the risk of excessive centralisation and dependence on one key individual in the UPC era.

European set-up

With its well-regarded speciality in mobile communications disputes, Taliens has made a strong start at the UPC, bringing an infringement action for new client Total Semiconductor against Texas Instruments regarding microprocessors. Furthermore, the defence of Mala in the national dispute with Nokia expanded to include a fundamental question at the UPC. However, the team recently demonstrated its full potential by representing Acer and ZTE before the European patent court. In such complex international cases, Taliens can rely not only on its direct client connections, but also on its well-maintained relationships with UK law firms. Together with Mishcon de Reya, it is conducting UPC proceedings for Positec regarding robot-assisted tools. It is representing ZTE in collaboration with Vossius & Partner and Powell Gilbert.

Recently, the Munich and Paris teams have been working together more frequently than in the past, for example for Nemera. However, it has not yet been able to fully exploit the potential of its international line-up with the Paris team and its close cooperation with Madrid IP firm Baylos.

Due to the high level of expertise of its Munich partners in SEP litigation, the internationally positioned IP boutique is frequently sought after by international law firms, especially those from the US seeking to enter the UPC arena. So far, however, the Taliens partners have maintained their independence and their excellent relationships with Asian implementers such as Acer, TCL and ZTE.

However, this approach could come under pressure at a time when UK law firms such as Powell Gilbert are entering the German market with German teams and offices. Sooner or later, UK law firms like Powell Gilbert may encroach upon the traditional client relationships of German boutiques.

Strengths

Mobile communications litigation for implementers, including FRAND issues.

Recommended individuals

Thomas Lynker (“outstanding lawyer who thinks beyond the patent case and considers the bigger picture”, client; “very deep understanding of SEP litigation, especially at the UPC”, competitor), Christian Werner

Team

6 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: ZTE against Samsung over 4G and 5G mobile communications standards; ZTE against Palmira over wi-fi 4 patents (settled 2025); Acer against Nokia over video codec standard; Acer against Wilus and Panasonic as Sisvel pool members over wi-fi 6 patents (settled 2024); Mala Technologies against Cisco, Huawei and Nokia over network technology; Candoro against Cantourage in infringement case over cannabis substance; Orckit IP against Adtran and Extreme Networks over network technology (settled 2025); Nemera against Aptar over eye drop dispensers; Stronglight against Büchel over bicycle mudguards; EDMA against Festool over saws for insulation materials.