JUVE Comment

The Dutch patent practice at Taylor Wessing is well-positioned in high-profile cases in the Netherlands regarding telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. The teams in Eindhoven and Amsterdam were visible in the market thanks to the firm’s litigation for long-term clients, such as telecommunications firm Asus and pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Fresenius. In this respect, despite its relatively small size, the Taylor Wessing team competes in some cross-border cases with the market leaders, but in general there is still a notable gap to that group. In the Netherlands, the main focus differs from, for example, its London office, which still leads with its pharmaceutical expertise. In the Netherlands, the practice takes a broader approach with its involvement in SEP and FRAND litigation. The team will do well to diversify its portfolio and demonstrate the ability of its younger associates in emerging areas of technology.

Strengths

Pharmaceutical litigation including for generics companies. FRAND and telecommunication litigation.

European strategy

Taylor Wessing continues to build its cross-border offering, with a strong presence across the major European patent jurisdictions of London, Munich and Düsseldorf. As well as its steadily-growing presence in Amsterdam and Eindhoven, the firm also has small offerings in Brussels and Paris. In France the patent team’s visibility is not as high as some of its main European competitors such as Hogan Lovells and Bird & Bird. But TW is seen less often representing key clients in pan-European disputes with multiple offices compared to the European market-leading practices. With its litigation for Asus in the Netherlands, UK and Germany, the practice has taken an important step towards redressing its historic imbalance towards pharmaceutical cases, despite major competitors being actively involved in cases of this calibre for years. Taylor Wessing’s offices are not fully integrated and its teams develop joint work between offices less frequently than some of the market leaders. Nevertheless, the patent team’s setup in all major jurisdictions is well-presented for more cross-border work, an asset should the UPC come to fruition. However, unlike two of the market leaders, Taylor Wessing has not built up its own patent attorney practice in Germany.

Recommended individuals

Judith Krens

Team

3 partners, 9 associates

Specialties

Pharmaceutical litigation, including SPCs and biosimilars. SEP litigation, including FRAND. Licence agreements and transactions.

Clients

Litigation: Asustek (defendant) against Philips concerning SEP infringement and FRAND; Pfizer (claimant) against Hoffman-La Roche concerning bevacizumab biosimilar; Fresenius (claimant) against Amgen concerning adalimumab biosimilar; Fresenius (defendant) against Biogen and Samsung Bioepis in revocation case against adalimumab patent; VSY Technology (defendant) regarding infringement of patent for intraocular lenses; AAA-Lux (defendant) in revocation case over LED patent.