df-mp

Managing Partners: Dr H Ulrich Dörries, David Molnia, Sandra Pohlman, Dr Elisabeth Greiner, Dr Michael Eder, Philipp Nordmeyer, Oliver Schulz, Dr Dominik Ho, René Okoampah, Ortrun Günzel
Number of partners: 11
Number of lawyers: 31
Languages: German, English

Firm Overview:
df-mp was founded in Munich in 2000 and is among the leading patent law firms in the German and European market. Due to its specific expertise, global qualifications and many years of experience in international patent litigation, the multi-award-winning law firm is involved in highly regarded proceedings in the technology sector up to the highest national courts every year and has already successfully decided numerous significant disputes for its clients. The 31 patent attorneys represent national and international companies in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, physics, medical devices, mechanical and electrical engineering and offer competent advice on all issues arising with respect to patent procurement and enforcement proceedings.

Main Areas of Practice:
Patent Litigation & Prosecution:
dfmp is highly visible in the German patent litigation market and enjoys an outstanding reputation for pharma and mobile communications cases. The firm has been involved in various high-profile patent litigation proceedings, many of which have had international implications and required df-mp to carry out a coordinating role. Its attorneys are highly knowledgeable and skilled, not only in regard to the law in their home jurisdictions, but also in terms of US litigation issues. df-mp is recommended in the JUVE-Handbook, in which it received the highest rating in Germany for a patent law firm for having one of the most active litigation practices in the high-tech industry.
When it comes to pharma patents and biosimilars, the firm predominately advises originator manufacturers, but is increasingly advising on the opposing side. In addition, the firm has a very active, growing prosecution department offering a broad technical spectrum and competent advice on all issues arising with respect to patent procurement and enforcement proceedings in all areas of technology. df-mp and its individual attorneys have been repeatedly recommended as one of the top firms and recommended patent attorneys in Germany for patent nullity proceedings and patent prosecution by the IAM Patent 1000 (2011 to 2020).

Trademarks & Designs:
df-mp further has a notable trademarks and designs practice. In addition to formal and litigation trademark law, the firm also advises on licensing, contractual matters and on transactions. It furthermore assists clients in monetising their intellectual property via licensing to third parties or gaining access to the proprietary technology of others via in-licensing.

Cases:
■ Glatirameracetat / Copaxone®: infringement proceedings, utility model cancellation proceedings
■ Fulvestrant / Faslodex®: Formulation patents, nullity proceedings, opposition proceedings, various infringement proceedings
■ Calcipotriol – Betamethason / Calcipotriol comp Hexal®: several opposition proceedings, infringement proceedings
■ DMF / Tecfidera®: various opposition procedures
■ Anti-VEGF Antibody / Avastin®Xeloda®: opposition procedures
■ Escitalopram / Cipralex®: nullity action (Federal Supreme Court (FSC) Xa ZR 130/07 – Escitalopram
■ Memantin / Memantin Merz®: nullity action (FSC X ZR 68/08 – Memantine)
■ Factor VIII / Octanat®: nullity action, FSC X ZR 77/12 – Protein Separation
■ Quetiapin / Seroquel XR®: nullity action, FSC X ZR 41/13 – Quetiapine
■ Valganciclovir / Valcyte®: nullity action, BGH X ZR 105/14 – Valganciclovir
■ Pregabalin / Lyrica®: patent infringement proceedings
■ Erlotinib / Tarceva®: nullity action
■ DMF / Tecfidera®: opposition proceedings, utility model cancellation proceedings, patent infringement proceedings
■ Tadalafil / Cialis®: nullity action
■ Pirfenidon / Esbriet®: opposition proceedings
■ Tenofovir-Emtricitabin / Truvada®: nullity action re. SPC
■ Denosumab / Prolia®, Xgeva®: various opposition proceedings
■ Natalizumab / Tysabri®: nullity action
■ Evolocumab / Repatha®/ Alirocumab®/ Praluent®: opposition proceedings, patent infringement proceedings, compulsory license proceedings
■ France Brevet vs. Apple: nullity and infringement proceedings concerning NFC patent
■ Conversant Wireless vs. Daimler LG, Huawei, and ZTE: nullity and infringement proceedings concerning 3G and 4G telecom patents
■ Nokia vs. Daimler: nullity and infringement proceedings concerning telecom patents in disputes over connected cars
■ IPCom GmbH & Co. KG vs. Nokia, HTC, Apple, Telekom, Vodafone: nullity, opposition and infringement proceedings concerning telecom patent portfolio
■ Unwired Planet vs. Huawei, LG Electronics, Samsung, HTC, Google: nullity and infringement proceedings concerning 3G and 4G telecom patents
■ FIPA AG vs. Samsung, LG Electronics, Sony, HTC: nullity and infringement proceedings concerning 3G telecom patents
■ Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft vs. ST Microelectronics: nullity and infringement proceedings concerning MEMS technology patents
■ OneButton vs. Apple, Samsung, and LG: nullity and infringement proceedings concerning software patent
■ Nokia vs. Apple: infringement proceedings concerning two telecom patents
■ Invensas vs. Samsung & Broadcom: infringement proceedings concerning patent relating to the structure of a chip (“flip-chip”)

Key Clients:
France Brevet, Conversant, Nokia, FIPA, IPCOM, Unwired Planet, Frauenhofer Gesellschaft, OneButton, Hexal, Biogen, Amgen, Teva, Lonza, Wsou u., Invte, Wiko, Ceva Santé Animale, Pfizer