JUVE Comment

The well-positioned patent team at the London office of this global firm continues to consolidate its patent practice after the merger with Olswang. This saw CMS expand its capabilities to focus on technology-based patent litigation. A recent promotion means the patent team now has a dedicated technology focus, alongside the life science speciality of its other patent partner. However, increased involvement in litigation for the medical device sector means CMS is increasingly combining these two elements, looking ahead to litigate in new areas of technology. It is especially looking at combining patent litigation with SPC and regulatory work. But the patent litigation team is looking ahead to further hires, which is hoped will satisfy an imbalance in partners and associates. Through the merger with Olswang CMS also has patent attorneys in its London office, who are very active in filing for numerous high-profile clients like LG at the European Patent Office.

Strengths

Life sciences, particularly biotech cases and regulatory work. Patent filing at EPO/EPO Boards of Appeal. Technical patent cases.

European strategy

With offices in all of the important UPC locations, the firm has a good setup for the European patent court, even if the individual teams are not at the top of the market in each country. The firm’s work on integrating the CMS network over the past few years has been slow to bear fruit. However, it is seeing results cross-border, especially in its patent prosecution arm.

Recommended individuals

Gareth Morgan

Team

2 partners, 8 associates, 5 patent attorneys

Specialties

A combination of patent litigation for tech and life sciences, and patent prosecution in its London office, with slightly more emphasis on prosecution.

Clients

Litigation: Dr Reddy’s Labs (claimant) against Napp Pharmaceuticals over pain relief; Regen (defendant) against Estar over blood plasma; Clearswift (claimant) against Glasswall over email security software. Patent prosecution: Microsoft concerning browser navigation and user notifications; Universal Electronics regarding media systems; KCI Medical Resources regarding wound packing; Tangis Corporation concerning information presentations; Gold Charm on semiconductors; LG Electronics on caches (all public knowledge).