Mathys & Squire boosts Munich office with IT partner

Matthias Brittinger (49) brings 20 years of experience in the IP field to Mathys & Squire. In April, he joined from German IP firm Müller Hoffmann & Partner where he had worked since 2013, most recently as a partner.

Brittinger began his career in 2004 at another well-known Munich patent attorney firm, ter Meer Steinmeister & Partner. The firm promoted Brittinger to associate partner in 2007. He moved to Müller Hoffmann four years later.

Boosting expertise

Brittinger holds a degree in physics from the Technical University of Munich, with a specialisation in semiconductors and advanced quantum physics. Additionally, he was a research associate at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry where he received his doctorate in 2004. His PhD thesis, however, was oriented more toward life science and investigations into the electrical and chemical coupling of biological cells.

Matthias Brittinger

His new firm primarily focuses on patents in the life sciences sector, but also has a strong focus on digital communication, computer technology and electronics. As a patent attorney, Brittinger most recently worked primarily on SEPs related to telecommunications, processor, and codec technology.

In the past, Brittinger has worked on lawsuits for HTC and Deutsche Telekom and did patent prosecution work for LG and Sharp.

UPC location

Mathys & Squire is one of the UK patent attorney firms that has long been active in Munich with its own team. In recent years, the firm has focused on expanding its office in the Bavarian capital, with Brittinger now the third partner in Germany alongside Andreas Wietzke and Gerold Fiesser.

The latter joined Mathys & Squire in 2019 when the UK firm opened an office in Munich with a team from Herzog Fiesser & Partner. Andreas Wietzke joined the firm in October 2023.

The UK firm initially opened the office to be closer to the headquarters of the European Patent Office. However, in 2019 it also had the imminent approach of the Unified Patent Court in mind in 2019. While the firm does not currently have its own UPC case, in proceedings between Astellas and Healios, Riken and Osaka University (case ID: UPC_CFI_75/2023 and ACT_464985/2023) Mathys & Squire has filed a request for documents under Rule 262.1 (b) of the UPC Rules of Procedure.

Focal point Munich

In addition to Mathys & Squire, UK patent attorney firms Mewburn Ellis and Boult Wade Tennant have recently expanded their offices in Germany. Carpmaels & Ransford, Kilburn & Strode and D Young & Co also have their own offices in Munich.

Andreas Wietzke, partner at the Munich office says, “Bringing in Matthias as a new partner highlights the success and continuity of our pan-European concept since our Munich office was founded five years ago.”

Matthias Brittinger says, “I am happy to be joining a global player in IP. In particular, I was convinced by the fact that Mathys & Squire can provide IP advice all over Europe as a one-stop store. At Mathys & Squire I’m looking forward to contributing to the firm’s litigation practice and acquisition work.”

Brittinger’s previous firm Müller Hoffmann now employs eight patent attorneys, six of whom are partners. All patent attorneys hold a German engineering degree. The firm’s practice therefore focuses on areas such as automotive, mechanics, electronics, computer, software, telecommunications and chemicals. According to the EPO register, Japanese groups Sharp and Sony are firm clients. It also represents German semiconductor manufacturer, Infineon.