JUVE Comment

This Düsseldorf IP boutique is known for patent litigation across a broad technical spectrum. Partner Axel Verhauwen is particularly well known and praised by a client as “outstanding” in patent disputes. He was highly present in proceedings for BSH and Brose concerning mechanics and electronics as well as for Ophthalmo Pro concerning medical devices. While the firm is strongly rooted among innovative German SME companies, much work also comes to Krieger Mes through its close contacts with patent attorney firms. Verhauwen also has many years of experience in high-calibre SEP proceedings, including for MPEG LA. He is also occasionally active in pharmaceutical disputes, for example for Fresenius Kabi regarding biosimilars.

The team is well positioned for major proceedings and newly appointed partner Julia Vogtmeier is already recognised in the market and praised by a competitor as “rock-solid and analytical”.

European set-up

Despite its extensive experience in German infringement proceedings for national tech giants, Krieger Mes is seen less often than other German boutiques in large cross-border cases. The firm also does not have an established network with foreign entities.

However, Krieger Mes’ good relationships with German SMEs are proving to be a door opener to the UPC. In particular, the two partners Dirk Jestaedt and Jens Künzel are already active in several proceedings involving very different technologies at the new court. Bette’s defence against a claim by Kaldewei for shower trays, for example, attracted a great deal of attention. Electronics retailer Expert Klein is also relying on the law firm in its dispute against Seoul Viosys. At the same time, Krieger Mes is also active for Erwin Härtwich in claims against Knaus Tabbert concerning vehicle parts and for the machinery and plant manufacturer MAS against Altech Makina concerning filter technology. Jochen Bühling and Verhauwen also enjoy an excellent reputation internationally. Clients such as the patent pool MPEG LA or NPEs such as Onebutton make it likely that the latter will appear before the UPC on the claimant side in SEP and FRAND suits. However, to survive in extensive UPC cases involving complex technologies, the partners will have to strengthen internal cooperation in addition to the already established good cooperation with patent attorneys.

Strengths

Infringement proceedings in a broad range of technical fields, especially telecoms and software. Litigation for NPEs. Employee invention law.

Recommended individuals

Michael Bergermann (“effective, clever, assertive”, competitor), Jochen Bühling, Gereon Rother, Axel Verhauwen (“outstanding”, client; “clever negotiator”, competitor)

Team

8 partners, 7 associates

Clients

Litigation: Fresenius Kabi against Biogen over biosimilar Imraldi/adalinumab; Ophthalmo Pro against Hoya Surgical Optics over intraocular lenses; Onebutton against manufacturers over mobile communications; KPN against Xiaomi and Orope/Oppo over mobile communications; Brose against Kickert over boot locks for cars (ended 2024); BSH against Electrolux over vacuum cleaners; Conrad Electronic against Seoul Semiconductor over LEDs; BMA against EnerDry over large-scale biomass drying plants; ThyssenKrupp in entitlement action over green hydrogen.