JUVE Comment

This well-established Düsseldorf litigation firm continues to leverage its deep roots in the German SME landscape and strong ties to patent attorney firms to secure a steady stream of UPC work. Most proceedings are managed by partners alongside external patent attorney firms, following the firm’s long-standing approach in national proceedings. Examples include several cases concerning LED technology for Expert Klein, Inventronics and Emporia, conducted in partnership with HGF.

Krieger Mes’ robust relationships with patent attorney firms and German SMEs remain an ideal gateway to UPC work. After a solid start in the court’s first two years, the firm now handles a significant caseload of nine campaigns for companies across diverse technologies, including M-A-S for plastic filtration machines, Bode for rail vehicle doors, and Yellow Sphere for caravans. While Dirk Jestaedt and Axel Verhauwen handle much of the UPC work, other partners are gradually becoming more active in UPC cases.

Krieger Mes, long known for its highly individualistic and partner-centric approach, shows signs of evolving its working style. Several partners now collaborate closely on UPC cases for Bode, Skechers and Truma. This shift mirrors other firms’ responses to the considerable complexity created by tight UPC deadlines.

Additionally, significant new instructions highlight the firm’s growing role as co-counsel in international litigation. The team represents long-standing client KPN alongside Bird & Bird in a mobile communications lawsuit and works with Powell Gilbert for Skechers in a dispute over slip-on shoes.

The KPN instruction is particularly noteworthy as it underscores the firm’s SEP expertise. Previously, its only UPC activity in this field was for Max ICT against Qualcomm, a dispute that settled in 2025. While the firm’s close ties to patent pools and NPEs in national proceedings have generated substantial business and an excellent reputation in SEP cases over the years, it has yet to realise its full potential. Key client Via LA has so far opted out many patents but could bring new opportunities and increased workload in future.

Strengths

UPC litigation for innovative midsized companies.

Recommended individuals

Dirk Jestaedt, Axel Verhauwen

Team

14 lawyers

Clients

Yellow Sphere Innovations against Knaus Tabbert over caravans; M-A-S Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Schulz GmbH against Altech over plastic filtering machines; KPN against Oppo over mobile communications technology; Skechers against Fast IP over slip-on shoes; Bode against Kangni over doors for rail vehicles; Rentmeiester against HP over ink cartridges; Emporia against Seoul Semiconductor over LED technology; Inventronics against Tridonic over drivers for LED; Expert e-Commerce and Expert Klein against Seoul Viosys over LED technology (ended 2025); Truma Gerätetechnik against CAN and Airxcel over heat exchanger for caravans (settled 2025); Max ICT as co-defendant of Transsion and Tecno Mobile against Qualcomm over mobile communications (settled 2025).