JUVE Comment

Despite changes to the lineup in Munich this year, the DLA team got off to a remarkable start at the UPC. The Munich team, led by Constanze Krenz, is involved in an astonishingly high number of proceedings at the new court. The litigation for Dyson concerning handheld vacuum cleaners and for Belkin regarding an SEP for wireless chargers stands out due to its size and complexity.

With only 15 lawyers, DLA’s European patent litigation team is rather small compared to international competitors such as Hogan Lovells or Taylor Wessing. It was therefore a major setback when the long-standing practice head Markus Gampp left the firm. DLA had already made provisions for this by appointing two partners, including Krenz. However, if the team wants to handle multiple larger cases in parallel, it will need to boost its clout.

However, the firm’s work in UPC cases is by no means limited to the German team. The Milan office is acting for Aplinestars against Dainese in a case concerning protective motorcycle devices. DLA represented the company in this dispute years ago before national courts and is now experiencing a revival at the UPC. In these proceedings, as well as for CAN and Airxcel, the Munich and Milan offices are cooperating closely. However, there is still room for expanding collaboration with the teams in Amsterdam, Paris and London.

The team is well positioned among pharmaceutical originators but has been unable to realise the full potential here as these companies are still hesitant about the UPC.

Strengths

UPC litigation regarding electronics and mobile communications patents.

Recommended individuals

Constanze Krenz

Team

15 lawyers

Partner moves

Markus Gampp (to own firm)

Clients

Dyson against SharkNinja over handheld vacuum cleaners; Belkin against Philips over SEP for wireless chargers; CAN and Airxcel Europe against Truma Gerätetechnik over heat exchanger; Alpinestar against Dainese over protective motorcycle devices; Toyota against Neo Wireless action over wireless communication system (settled in 2024); Amazon Fulfillment against air up group over distribution of infringing drinking bottles (settled in 2024).