More innovation in renewable energies again
Analysis by German Patent and Trademark Office identifies major growth in solar technology and wind power
Recording CFWebinar: The Unified Patent Court
Does it keep up with the expectations? A recap after the first year.
Webinar Recording from 31.07.2024
Key issues for senior life sciences executives
What rights holders need to know about patent-term extensions in Europe
Anti-counterfeiting and Online Brand Enforcement: Global Guide 2024
Germany: EU directives, international treaties and domestic initiatives boost IP
Patent-free countries are also relevant when calculating damages
Federal Court of Justice landmark decision of May 7, 2024
EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal to clarify the legal basis for the interpretation of patent claims
More clarity in assessing patentability
Guardians of Innovation: Navigating the Intersection of AI, Data Protection and Trade Secrets
In today's digital world, data management and trade secret (TS) protection are critical issues that may even converge (e.g. when personal data is part of a business secret, such as customer and supplier lists).
Decision of the FCJ on legal costs in nullity proceedings in the event of an immediate acknowledgment
Judgment X ZR 59/21 - Anzeigemonitor
The Unified Patent Court – Does it keep up with the expectations? A recap after the first year.
Lexology Masterclass & CFWebinar
The UPC one year on: successful start for the unitary patent system in the EU
C&F involved in more than 5 percent of cases
Bundeskartellamt allows cooperation between automotive companies in SEP licensing
C&F underlines leading role of Germany and the EU in the field of SEPs
BMW, Mercedes, Thyssenkrupp and VW can negotiate jointly for the acquisition of certain technology licences
The Bundeskartellamt tolerates the launch of the “Automotive Licensing Negotiation Group” (ALNG). The ALNG is a cooperation planned by the companies BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Thyssenkrupp and VW with the aim to negotiate jointly conditions for the acquisition of licences for so-called standard essential patents (SEPs). The cooperation is to be open to…
Romania becomes 18th UPC member
C&F: “Wider reach of the unitary patent and strong incentive for innovative companies in the EU”
Fast pace of revocation actions at the UPC
C&F: “We hope to see similarly good results when it comes to the quality of rulings”
Ireland postpones referendum on joining UPC
C&F disappointed: “Adding an important EU member to the UPC would boost the spirit of innovation in many companies”
Sharp rise in AI inventions in Germany
Analysis by German Patent and Trademark Office: German applicants in second place in international comparison
Cohausz & Florack wins 2024 Managing IP Award
Special honor in the category "European Cross-Border Patent Litigation Team”
Protection for AI-assisted inventions?
US Patent and Trademark Office issues guidance on the use of AI
EPO accelerates opposition proceedings in cases of parallel court actions
C&F: “Major step towards improving the legal certainty of rul-ings in patent infringement suits”
Intel defeated in patent dispute against R2 Semiconductor before Düsseldorf Regional Court
C&F: “Patent troll accusation in Germany is baseless”
Domestic patent infringement from abroad
Federal Court of Justice ruling “ultrasonic transducer” – X ZR 47/19
Injunction following repeated breach
UPC Düsseldorf local division: “E-bike” ruling – UPC_CFI_177/2023
Support for innovative companies: SME Fund reopens
Legal costs for drafting patent applications and for the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) examination fee now partially reimbursed as well
No contributory patent infringement for wear parts
BGH ruling “Scheibenbremse II” – X ZR 10/20
Market for hydrogen combustion engines in motion
C&F: “Promoting alternative drive technologies is an urgent societal concern”
CFPodcast - Ideas in the spotlight, episode 3
EPO Case Law Update 2023 - Engineering, physics and digital innovations
G7 meeting on intellectual property: “Metaverse is not an area outside the law”
Patent and trade mark offices of the leading industrial nations agree a joint statement on intellectual property in digital contexts and on diversity and inclusion.
Rethink your IP for digital
The IP you own in one domain may be less effective when you switch to digital, so don’t let the risks surprise you, says Mathias Karlhuber at Cohausz & Florack in a book inspired by the EPO and LESI's High Growth Technology Business Initiative.
Germany: UPC Impact and Legislative Shifts Make Germany a Venue of Choice
Patent prosecution in Germany
Recording CFWebinar: EPO Case Law Update 2023 - Chemistry, Pharma and Life Sciences
Recording from 14.12.2023
50 years of the EPC: innovations help overcome today’s crises
The EPC turning 50 marks a milestone
50 years of the European Patent Convention
Cornerstone of technological progress in Europe
CFPodcast - Ideas in the spotlight, episode 2
Enablement and Plausibility in the US and Europe
Recording CFWebinar: EPO Case Law Update 2023 - Engineering, physics and digital innovations
Webinar recording from 16.11.2023
Good start for UPC Court of Appeal
C&F expects high affirmation rates for German courts in the long term
Recording CFWebinar: Enablement and Plausibility in the US and Europe
Webinar Recording from 26.10.2023
EPA study: Start-ups with IP rights are more successful at raising capital
C&F offers free start-up consultation
Trade Secrets Germany
About protection, misappropriation, enforcement proceedings, remedies and trends
Huge surge in 3D printing patents
Results of the EPO study “Innovation Trends in Additive Manufacturing”
The scope of recall claims
Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht), ruling of July 18, 2023 – 6 W 30/23
UPC - First Lessons Learned and a Glimpse of the Future
The UPC is off to a successful start: Since June 1, 2023, the local chambers have already taken a number of noteworthy decisions. These provide a glimpse into the future functioning of the new EU patent court.
High demand for the unitary patent
EPO dashboard reveals heavy use, especially by German applicants
Federal Court of Justice ruling on the admissibility of parallel opposition and nullity proceedings
Aminopyridine decision X ZR 47/22
EU leads the world in hydrogen patents
C&F: “More competitiveness and technological supremacy for Germany and Europe”
Cohausz & Florack takes home two accolades at the Managing IP Awards 2023
Awards in the categories “European Cross-border Patent Litigation Team of the Year” and “Germany Practitioner of the Year”
UPC Düsseldorf local division gets to work
C&F: “Extremely important court location for patent infringe-ment proceedings”
Opt-in or opt-out: Tactically well positioned for the UPC
The UPC has opened its doors and commenced operations. The sunrise period has expired. Many European patent holders have successfully submitted their opt-out declarations.
HEVC Patent Enforcement Actions Settled
(DENVER, CO, US – 20 April 2023) – MPEG LA, LLC today announced that the HEVC enforcement actions brought in Landgericht Düsseldorf, Germany against Samsung Electronics GmbH ("Samsung") announced on 28 March 2022 have been settled with the taking of licenses.
EU filing strategies for standard essential patents (SEPs) under the UPC
Using the German legal system to avoid risks
Considerable increase in innovations in battery technology
DPMAnutzerforum 2023: Analysis shows a leap in the number of patent applications concerning battery technology, a key technology, especially from Asia and the United States
The countdown to the UPC launch is on - current and proven
COHAUSZ & FLORACK answers your questions
Federal Court of Justice confirms obvious prior use in required reverse engineering
C&F: “Greater clarity for innovative mobile communications companies”
How is Germany’s innovative strength looking?
Study on disruptive changes in science / C&F rates current IP activities positively
“IPR-intensive industries are drivers of growth, competition, and employment in the EU”
Joint study by EPO and EUIPO confirms positive economic effects of IP rights
German constitutional complaints against the European Patent Office are unsuccessful
Constitutional Court confirms the required legal protection
Fight against product piracy: G7 IP leaders intend to intensify cooperation
Patent and trade mark offices of the leading economies deliberate under Germany’s presidency of the G7 – counterfeiting causes damage to all industries – consumers can help fight counterfeiting and product piracy
UPC ready to launch
Cohausz & Florack offers comprehensive information and support for the transition
Egger comes out on top again with C&F and Heuking
BGH revokes Rehau’s European patent 2 247 451
New staff additions in 2022: Cohausz & Florack builds up its patent and legal expertise
Dr. Julia Konrad (neé Sauerwald), Tamara Moll, Dr. Christoph Genreith, and Georg Tully strengthen the team
EPO announces start date of transitional measures for obtaining Unitary Patents
As of January 1, 2023, the EPO will provide two transitional measures in order to obtain unitary effect for European patents.
Recording CFWebinar: EPO Case Law Update 2022 - Engineering, Physics and digital Innovations
Webinar Recording from November 10, 2022
Recording CFWebinar: EPO Case Law Update 2022 - Chemistry, Pharma and Life Sciences
Webinar Recording from November, 8, 2022
Key questions for patent owners to ask their law firms before asserting their rights
When it comes to patent owners asserting their patent rights, there is a wide spectrum of possibilities. On one hand, patent owners may, as a basis for negotiation, aim to obtain a decision by an independent institution regarding whether their patents have been infringed, and their schedule may not be time-sensitive.
IP Risks for Investors
Intellectual property is a prime asset for investors in tech ventures, but few realize how vulnerable it is to attack as growth starts to happen. So explore these five questions first with potential targets, says Mathias Karlhuber at Cohausz & Florack in a book IP and the next wave of growth
Germany becomes ready for the UPC and revises Patent Act
Despite the worldwide economic challenges caused by the war in the Ukraine and the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Germany has worked hard at both the legislative and judicial level to continue protecting IP rights.
Germany a front-runner for innovation
Germany ranks 8th in the “Global Innovation Index 2022”
UPC takes significant step forward – judges announced
Last week, the UPC Administrative Committee published the list of the judges appointed to the Court.
Launch of the UPC planned for April 1, 2023
The UPC Preparatory team recently published an implementation roadmap outlining key activities and milestones for the UPC in the upcoming six month.
Without limits, but not without the administration of justice
Legal consequences and pitfalls of trademark protection in the metaverse
Cohausz & Florack is “Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year”
Global IP Awards 2022 for excellence in IP
Tips and tricks on how to obtain patent protection for polymorphs
Chemical compounds, if present as solids, may occur in different amorphous forms or in different crystalline modifications. Such polymorphs can be of importance in the pharmaceutical sector as regulatory authorities often tie regulatory approval to a single specific polymorph.
Double patenting and double protection in the unitary patent system
The advantages of the “German-European tandem”
No disproportionality: First decision on new injunctive relief in Germany (Sunroof)
In Case 4b O 7/22, the Düsseldorf District Court dealt with the application of the new amended injunctive relief (Section 139, Paragraph 1, Sentence 3) under the German Patent Act.
Messenger RNA pioneer Katalin Karikó receives European Inventor Award 2022 for Lifetime achievement
European Patent Office (EPO) distinguishes Hungarian-born biochemist Katalin Karikó with the European Inventor Award for her life's work
Major steps towards setting up of the UPC
Following its inaugural meeting in February 2022, the UPC’s Administrative Committee has now held its second meeting.
UPC is on track
At EPLIT's 9th Annual Meeting on May 12, 2022, Alexander Ramsay, chair of the UPC's Administrative Committee, gave an update on the progress of the UPC's preparatory work.
DPMA Annual Report 2021: China ever more innovative in digital technologies
Analysis of digitisation shows a marked increase in Chinese patent applications – DPMA President: China is making progress with its plan to gain technology leadership – Annual Report contains technology and trade mark trends – New digital version offers additional functions and particular user-friendliness on mobile devices
EPO practice on adapting the description to amended claims – recent developments in case law and EPO Guidelines
It is common practice at the European Patent Office (EPO) that, after Examining Divisions and applicants agree on a grantable set of patent claims, the description is adapted to the grantable claims, which usually have been amended compared to their originally filed form.
IP protection in Germany for Japanese companies
In late 2021, a German-Japanese symposium attended by 400 international guests was held at the German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO). The symposium titled “Patent infringement proceedings in Japan and Germany” demonstrated the close partnership between Japan and Germany in IP protection, with speakers including the former president of the…
Double Licensing Coverage - First FRAND defeat for a SEP joint licensing program
According to the reasons of one verdict exemplary published on May 3, 2022, the Düsseldorf District Court found that the un-FRAND license offered by the plaintiff justifies dismissing the injunction claim of the plaintiff despite confirming patent infringement.
Avoid, reduce, improve
In the discussion about sustainable business, the packaging industry is also called upon to be - and remain - innovative.
World Intellectual Property Day 2022: DPMA President praises young inventors’ eagerness for innovation
World Intellectual Property Day focuses on young innovators – In the past ten years, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office saw approximately 70 patent applications by young people – DPMA President: “IP knowledge offers young people true future prospects.”
New regulations for patent applicants coming along with the UPC
DE simultaneous protection and extended deadline for initiation of national DE phase strengthen Germany as court venue
Samsung Sued for Infringement of HEVC Essential Patents
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MPEG LA announced today that enforcement actions have been brought in Landgericht Düsseldorf, Germany against Samsung Electronics GmbH ("Samsung") for infringement of patents in MPEG LA’s HEVC Patent Portfolio License.
Number of patent grants at record level
In 2021, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office concluded more patent and trade mark procedures than at any time in more than 30 years – DPMA President: High number of granted patents strengthens companies in the crisis – decline in patent applications, trade mark applications at highest level in 22 years
UPC’s Administrative Committee holds inaugural meeting
On February 22, 2022, the UPC’s Administrative Committee responsible for appointing judges and adopting rules and regulations of the Court held its inaugural meeting.
Anti-Suit Injunctions: Legal Instrument or Political Tactic?
On the lack of relevance of ASIs for Germany as a court location
More foresight, please!
Those who call for the suspension of vaccine patents fail to recognize an important role of intellectual property rights.
Kitchen gadgets in dispute
In the lawsuit against Vorwerk, the Lidl company collects a sales ban.
EPO examines applicability of the "Joint Applicants Approach" in PCT applications
C&F: "Prospects for improved opportunities to maintain property rights and protect innovations"
Hard, but promising: CO2-reduced steel
Reducing CO2 emissions has also become a quality criterion in steel production. The industry is coming up with innovative solutions here.
EPO provides transitional measures for obtaining Unitary Patents
In view of the forthcoming entry into force of the UPC Agreement (UPCA) and the accompanying introduction of the Unitary Patent system, the EPO will provide two transitional measures in order to obtain unitary effect for European patents.
Salipro Biotech Receives European Patent for Antigen production
Approvals in this patent family both in Europe as well as in the US further strengthen Salipro Biotech’s proprietary platform technologies to enable drug discovery programs for therapeutic antibodies against challenging drug targets.
Video: The Unified Patent Court
The UPC will have binding jurisdiction over all disputes concerning European unitary patents and European patents, meaning that what the UPC decides is valid all across Europe without further national proceedings being necessary.
Video: The Unitary Patent
In the not too distant future, the unitary patent will make it much easier to apply for a patent, which will automatically have uniform validity in almost all EU countries.
Financial injection for securing and exploiting intellectual property rights
By effectively protecting their intellectual property, innovative companies can skillfully place their ideas on the market, secure financing, grow and create value.
After more than 30 instrumental years at the firm: Farewell to C&F partner Johannes Simons
Düsseldorf, January 28, 2022 – At the start of the new year, Johannes Simons’ time as active partner and patent attorney at Cohausz & Florack (C&F) came to an end.
JUVE Patent takes a look back: The 10 best patent cases of 2021 in Europe
Cohausz & Florack represented as law firm in 3 out of the 10 cases
Federal Patent Court concretizes deviation from cost principles for reasons of equity
In a recent decision of the Federal Patent Court (AZ: 6 Ni 57/19), the 6th Senate ruled on the partial nullity of the patent in suit and thus declared an auxiliary request admissible and patentable, which the plaintiff had already agreed to immediately after the defendant had submitted it.
Austria triggers start of UPC Provisional Application Period
With the deposit of its instrument of ratification on January 18, 2022, Austria triggered the start of the Provisional Application Period (PAP) of the UPC Agreement (UPCA) on January 19, 2022.
EPO Board of Appeal disagrees with rule on mandatory amendment of patent descriptions
Düsseldorf, Jan. 13, 2022 - In a decision dated Dec. 16, 2021 (T 1989/18), a Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) has contradicted the EPO Guidelines for Examination on a fundamental point:
Dr. Reinhard Fischer makes partner at Cohausz & Florack
Düsseldorf, January 11, 2022 - Cohausz & Florack (C&F) has appointed Dr. Reinhard Fischer as a new partner of its firm.
First FRAND defeat for an SEP joint licensing program
On December 21, 2021, the Düsseldorf District Court either dismissed or stayed all six patent infringement claims brought by members of a joint HEVC licensing program administered by Access Advance.
Cohausz & Florack successful in defending Fibrant’s patent on the catalytic hydrogenation of phenol
Düsseldorf, December 21, 2021 – Following oral proceedings on December 14, 2021, Board of Appeal 3.3.10 of the European Patent Office (EPO) upheld patent EP 2 513 025 B1 in amended form. The patent stands in the name of Fibrant’s IP-holding company CAP III B.V. and had been opposed by Versalis, S.p.A., a competitor of Fibrant in the field of…
Computer-Implemented Simulations: Patentable in Europe?
Patents are granted at the European Patent Office (EPO) for inventions in all fields of technology, provided that they are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible of industrial application, Art. 52(1) EPC.
Plan to relocate Boards of Appeal presented to EPO member states
Munich, 14 December 2021 -EPO President António Campinos and President of the Boards of Appeal Carl Josefsson have made a joint proposal today to the EPO's member states to relocate the Boards of Appeal from the Munich district of Haar to the city centre. President Campinos has invited the Boards of Appeal to occupy one of the EPO's buildings in…
Hisense Enters into MPEG LA’s AVC Patent Portfolio License
(DENVER, CO, US – 13 December 2021) – MPEG LA announced today that Hisense International Co., Ltd. (“Hisense”) has become a Licensee to MPEG LA’s AVC Patent Portfolio License (“AVC License”).
Standard Essential UNITARY Patents
The Unitary Patent may become a standard choice for SEPs - the decision on simultaneous protection in Germany (UP+DE) should already be considered now
IP, contested technologies and the freedom to grow
As your growth takes off, IP attacks from direct competitors and indirect prospectors will intensify. So don’t let them take you by surprise and disrupt your competitive strategy, says Mathias Karlhuber at Cohausz & Florack in a book about how today’s winners are now lining up their IP
Ready for the virtual world?
For most of us, the metaverse is still a mystery and its acceptance and popularity unknown. For brand owners, it is advisable to act as early as possible to be on the cutting edge.
Recording CFWebinar: EPO Case Law Update 2021 - Chemistry, Pharma and Life Sciences
Webinar Recording from December 2, 2021
Judgment of the Federal Patent Court on the right to claim priority
The priority claim of an international patent application by several applicants is formally valid as long as all applicants of the priority application are among the applicants of the international patent application - even if the applicants of the international patent application include applicants for different states.
Recording CFWebinar: EPO Case Law Update 2020/2021- Engineering, physics and digital innovations
Webinar Recording from November 30, 2021
Germany revises Patent Act and clears way for UPC
Despite the pandemic bringing the world to a standstill in 2020-2021, Germany has worked hard at both the legislative and judicial level to continue protecting IP rights. The past 18 months has seen the first legislative reform to its patent law in more than a decade, and the plentiful rulings of the Federal Supreme Court have provided clarity, not…
UPC – User Expectations
The UPC is being widely welcomed by users, but shortly before its launch, it is foreseeable that users will likely proceed with caution at first.
Recording CFWebinar: Unified Patent Court & Unitary Patent
Webinar Recording from 16.11.2021
UNITARY PATENT - Simultaneous Protection in DE
National German law introduces simultaneous protection by a UP or a classic EP patent on the one hand and a national DE Patent on the other hand
COHAUZ & FLORACK successful in defending Bayer’s patent on the once-daily administration of rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
Düsseldorf, November 4, 2021 – Following two-day oral proceedings in Munich, Board of Appeal 3.3.01 of the European Patent Office (EPO) on October 27, 2021 reversed the first instance decision and maintained Bayer’s patent EP 1 845 961 B1 on the once-daily administration of its best-selling anticoagulant and stroke prevention drug Xarelto®…
FRAND history in the European Union
A FRAND case is a patent infringement case based on an SEP.
Federal Patent Court makes important decision on transfer of priority right
C&F: "Enhanced chances for the maintenance of property rights of innovative companies".
Patent attorney Dr. Martin Rütten joins Cohausz & Florack
Further reinforcement for the areas of IT and communication technology
Presiding Federal Court of Justice judge Prof. Dr. Peter Meier-Beck retires
C&F: “A judge influential in patent law around the world”
The Unified Patent Court is coming
Press release of the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection
Copyright infringement through framing
Judgment of September 9, 2021 - I ZR 113/18 - Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek II
Three new patent attorneys join the Cohausz & Florack team
Dr. Soizic Grote, Dr. Eva Hasenhütl, and Florian Dietzler bolster the firm in the fields of physics and mechanical engineering
Recording CFWebinar: Life Sciences 4.0 – IP protection in Europe for Digital Innovations in the Life Sciences
Recording from August 24, 2021
Copyright claims of a designer of Porsche AG
Hearing date on December 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in case I ZR 222/20 (copyright claims of a designer of Porsche AG for further equitable participation pursuant to Sec. 32a UrhG)
On the trademark protection of the gold tone of the "Lindt-Goldhasen“ (Lindt Gold Bunny)
Ruling: The I. Civil Senate of the German Federal Court of Justice, which is responsible among other things for trademark law, has ruled that the gold tone of the "Lindt-Goldhase" (Lindt Gold Bunny) enjoys trademark protection.
Recording Webinar: Benefits and risks of arbitration – a walk through Europe (ES)
An event organized by the Club Español del Arbitraje and the Asociación Venezolana de Arbitraje with the participation of attorney-at-law Erik Schäfer (C&F)
New patent litigation chamber at Munich Regional Court I
Düsseldorf, July 14, 2021 – The District Court of Munich I will establish a third half patent litigation chamber come August 16, 2021. The reason given by the Court is the steadily increasing number of patent litigation cases. The new patent litigation chamber will be chaired by presiding judge Dr. Georg Werner. Information on the further staffing…
Path cleared for Unified Patent Court and European Unitary Patent
Federal Constitutional Court rejects urgent request against the Unified Patent Court Agreement.
Patenting plant inventions via the EPO after G 3/19
Over the past decade, the Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) of the European Patent Office (EPO) has changed its case law on the patentability of plants (and animals) produced by essentially biological processes according to Article 53(b) of the European Patent Convention (EPC) several times.
Parliament passes bill to modernize German Patent Act
C&F considers significant changes in practice unlikely