JUVE Comment

This German IP firm is well positioned for patent disputes due to its close collaboration between patent attorneys and lawyers. Its large prosecution client base – primarily technology-focused SMEs fom Germany – regularly turns to the firm for comprehensive litigation. Notable examples include work for C&E Fein, Robert Bosch, and Zimmer MedizinSysteme.

The team’s intensive work for clients such as BMW, Opel, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eastman Chemical, Fresenius Medical Care, Merck, and Merz in patent prosecution and EPO oppositions showcases its expertise in the automotive, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Above all, the firm’s active opposition work forms the foundation for its patent attorneys’ extensive litigation experience. The team frequently supports its clients at the filing stage through to opposition and litigation at civil courts. C&E Fein and Robert Bosch are prime examples of this. The patent firm is also advising both companies in their cases against Alibaba before the UPC. This UPC lawsuit is currently the firm’s only case before the new court, even though other companies from the innovative SME sector are using the new court frequently. Unlike competitors such as Bardehle Pagenberg or Meissner Bolte, the firm has not yet managed to capitalise more frequently on its close ties with SMEs to increase its presence at the UPC. Over the past two years, the firm has also seen a total of three partners leave – the two most recent moved to Casalonga. Stabilising its partnership is therefore a priority if it is to make a more vigorous push at the UPC.

Strengths

Litigation predominantly for the automotive sector. Pharmaceuticals patents.

Recommended individuals

Christiane Maxien, Mathias Ricker (“very experienced in polymer chemistry”, client; both patent attorneys)

Team

17 patent attorneys, 4 lawyers

Partner moves

Holger Tostmann, Henning Lülf (both to Casalonga)

Clients

Litigation: C&E Fein and Robert Bosch against Coram Tools over saw blades; Swisslog against competitor over automatisation technology for logistics centres. Frequent litigation: Archroma, Doka, Kuka, Zimmer MedizinSysteme. EPO oppositions: Nippon Shokubai against LG Chem over ultra-absorbent polymers; Merz against Alergan over aesthetic pharmaceuticals; Eastman against PPG over coatings for beverage cans; straw man against Novartis over process for purifying proteins; straw man against Takeda over animal protein-free recombinant furin; Eastman Chemicals against Sekisui over interlayers for windscreen wipers; Eastman Chemicals against Daicel over cellulose acetate for cigarette filters.