Following merger, RGTH opens new office in Düsseldorf

RGTH Richter Gerbaulet Thielemann Hofmann has now merged with patent attorney firm Vomberg & Schart, based in Solingen.

Following the merger, the outfit will have a total of five offices. Of these, three are located at the UPC venues of Hamburg, Munich and, with the new office opening, Düsseldorf. In addition, RGTH is present in Frankfurt and has a small office in Berlin, from which it advises almost exclusively on trademark law.

Engineering expertise

The eponymous patent attorneys Friedhelm Vomberg and Thomas Schart of Vomberg & Schart bring experience in mechanical, electrical and process engineering, as well as medical technology. One focus of their work is on prosecution for midsized clients such as lighting manufacturer Ledlenser, tool manufacturer ZCC Cutting Tools and intraocular lense company Biolnic, as well as Auer Hydraulics. When necessary, they also represent clients in EPO oppositions and nullity proceedings, for example for Ledlenser.

Vomberg & Schart’s specialisations fit in well with the team at RGTH, which is particularly known for its expertise in mechanics, process and mechanical engineering. In fact, both law firms have already worked together in the past.

RGTH’s clients include German midsized companies such as Pfannenberg, but also international heavyweights in industry and technology such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Oppo and Shenzhen Hairun New Energy Technology.

In addition to prosecution work, RGTH is also active in EPO oppositions, for example for shisha product company Kaloud. The team also provides technical advice on infringement and related nullity proceedings alongside lawyers. For example, it advised Koenig & Bauer MetalPrint together with lawyers from Preu Bohlig in the dispute against Hebenstreit over sheet-metal presses. It was also active for Winwall alongside Taylor Wessing in a dispute with against MB Digitalprint over sealing technology.

New year, new generation

The addition of an office in Düsseldorf could position the law firm more strongly for such litigation in the future – particularly with regard to the UPC.

In its new constellation, the firm now comprises 16 patent attorneys, eight of whom are partners. In January 2024, the name partners Hannes Gerbaulet and Matthias Richter left the partner ranks, but remain at the firm. At the same time, Karin Berger and Christoph Bartels were appointed as partners. They will support long-standing partners Torge Thielemann and Thorsten Last in managing the firm.