News and Publications

HOFFMANN EITLE recognised in the Chambers Global Guide 2026

We are pleased to announce that HOFFMANN EITLE has been recognised in the Chambers Global Guide 2026, published by Chambers and Partners. Based on extensive independent research, including client i...

Working worse is no defence: a recent UPC order reinforces feature-based claim scope (UPC_CFI_630/2025)

Court docket: LD Düsseldorf, Order of 31.10.2025 UPC_CFI_630/2025 [EP 1 998 686] Parties: Occultech GmbH. v. Lepu Medical (Europa) Cooperatief U.A. a. o.  Contributor: Marie Isabel Thomson Headnote...

EPO Board of Appeal confirms that advantages of a process of manufacturing a product do not carry over to the product itself

Appeal case T1523/23 was handled by Roland Schieren from HOFFMANN EITLE. The decision reinforces that an inventive step of a product cannot be based on a technical effect relating to the manufactur...

Top-tier rankings for HOFFMANN EITLE in The Legal 500 Germany 2026

HOFFMANN EITLE is proud to announce its rankings in The Legal 500 Germany 2026, reflecting its position as a leading firm in intellectual property law. Patent Law: Patent Attorneys – Applications...

Prior use infringement defence at the LD Munich: the UPC puts its German hat on (UPC_CFI_114/2024; UPC_CFI_448/2024)

Court docket: LD Munich , decision of 10.10.2025 UPC_CFI_114/2024; UPC_CFI_448/2024 [EP 3215288] Parties: Haraeus Electronics GmbH & Co. KG vs. Vibrantz GmbH   Contributor: Anja Gräfin Stenbock...

UPC Munich Local Division rejects GXD-Bio’s claim against Myriad; EP 3 346 403 revoked

Summary/Background The Local Division (LD) Munich dismissed GDX-Bio’s infringement action against Myriad and revoked EP 3 346 403 for added matter.EP 3 346 403 claimed a method for quantifying expr...

The UPC's LD Hamburg remains firm on late-filed submissions (UPC_CFI_461/2024; UPC_CFI_718/2024)

Court docket: LD Hamburg , decision of 05.11.2025 UPC_CFI_461/2024; UPC_CFI_718/2024 [EP 2476814] Parties: Dolle A/S v. FAKRO Dachflächenfenster GmbH Contributor: Marcel-Xavier Peigné Headnote T...

HOFFMANN EITLE recognised in the WTR 1000 2026 Rankings

HOFFMANN EITLE has once again been recognised in the 2026 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000), the leading global guide to trademark law firms and practitioners. The WTR 1000 high...

EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal decision G1/23 removing the reproducibility criterion of G1/92 from commercially available products as prior art

On July 2, 2025, the landmark decision G1/23 “Solar Cell” was published by the Enlarged Board of Appeal. HOFFMANN EITLE partner Timo Pruß was involved in this case as representative for our long-s...

UPC Court of Appeal has its say on inventive step (UPC_CoA_464/2024; UPC_CoA_530/2024; et.al.)

Court docket: Luxembourg (LU), decision of 25.11.2025 UPC_CoA_464/2024; UPC_CoA_530/2024; UPC_CoA_21/2025; UPC_CoA_457/2024; UPC_CoA_532/2024  UPC_CoA_27/2025; UPC_CoA_458/2024; UPC_CoA_533/2024 [E...