JUVE Comment

The patent litigation team of this national full-service law firm has successfully translated its strong German practice into an active UPC presence. While still renowned for its work in mobile communications, defending Asian implementers like TCL in SEP and FRAND disputes, the team has demonstrated impressive technical breadth at the European court. This is evidenced by a significant number of cases across diverse sectors such as medtech, network security, and consumer goods.

Long-standing clients have followed the team to the UPC. For example, the major dispute for Centripetal Networks over network security solutions has expanded to the UPC with actions against PAN and Keysight. Noerr is also representing medical device manufacturer Arthrex in both offensive and defensive proceedings against Syntorr.

The firm’s strong reputation in China continues to bear fruit, with new client Lepu Medical Technology entrusting the team with two UPC cases concerning medical devices. These cases demonstrate that the team has sucessfully expanded its client base to include another industry that is highly active at the UPC.

The practice’s visibility is no longer solely reliant on Munich partner Ralph Nack. Younger partners are also active in several UPC cases, slowly gaining market visibility as a result. Like in national cases, the team litigates alongside external patent attorney firms such as Fuchs IP and MFG Patentanwälte at the UPC. In proceedings at UPC divisions outside Germany, Noerr relies on long-standing contacts to local firms, such as Roschier at the Nordic-Baltic division and August Debouzy in Paris.

Strengths

Mobile communications litigation for implementers, including SEP and FRAND.

Recommended individuals

Ralph Nack (“exceptionally experienced and skilled, persuasive in oral proceedings while focusing on the most relevant arguments”, “very good at legal arguments from other jurisdictions”, competitors)

Team

8 lawyers

Clients

Centripetal Networks against PAN and Keysight over network security; TCL against NEC and Access Advance over electronics; Arthrex against Syntorr over surgical and medical instruments; Elitech against Inficon over medical diagnostic products; Shanghai Bojin Medical Instrument against Aesculap over surgical instruments; Lepu Medical Technology against Occlutech over medical devices; AIM Sports against TGI Sport/Supponor over sports marketing; OWIM against Decathlon over sports gear.