A tradition of innovation and milestones
For over 40 years, we have also advised our national and international clients in cases which require special expertise, creative strategies and ingenuity. Of these, many had a major impact on the case law in our area of practice.
The following is a list of decisions in which we were involved. These represent milestones in case law (patent and utility model law, trademark law, design patent law, unfair competition law and variety protection law).
An attorney of court from Wildanger participated in at least one instance in each of these decisions.
Patent & Utility Model Law
OLG Karlsruhe GRUR 2015, 252 – Leiterbahnstrukturen
Preliminary stay of enforcement by the Appeals Court
BGH BeckRS 2014, 12672
Patentability of a “Method for cleaning Immunglobulin-G-Antibodies”
OLG Karlsruhe GRUR 2014, 352 – Stanzwerkzeug
Assumption of validity of a utility model if the DPMA has rendered a decision in cancellation proceedings
BGH GRUR-Prax² 2014, 109 – Bildanzeigegerät
novelty-destroying state of the art by providing a product manual
BGH, Order dated 10.11.2009, X ZR 11/06 – Produktionsrückstandsentsorgung
Refusal of a request for a revision of a defendant found to infringe the patent in suit even though the patent in suit was in part nullified after the appeal decision
BGH GRUR2 2008, 597 – Betonstraßenfertiger
Demands of priority for a restricted subsequent application
BGH GRUR 2007, 778 – Ziehmaschinenzugeinheit
Claim construction in infringement proceedings after partial declaration of nullity
BGH GRUR 2007, 773 – Rohrschweißverfahren = Federal Supreme Court IIC³ 2008, 106 – Pipe Welding Process
Conditions precedent to contributory patent infringement
BGH GRUR 2007, 769 – Pipettensystem
Conditions precedent to contributory patent infringement
BGH GRUR 2006, 399 – Rangierkatze
Patent infringement by objective suitability to infringe the patent
BGH GRUR 2005, 848 – Antriebsscheibenaufzug
Designation of means in public domain for direct patent infringement; extent of compensation for contributory patent infringement
BGH GRUR 2005, 569 – Blasfolienherstellung
Requirements on definiteness of claims in patent infringement proceedings
BGH GRUR 2004, 966 – Spundfass =Federal Supreme Court IIC 2005, 742 – Standard Tight-Head Drum
Compulsory license based on antitrust law; patented standard
BGH GRUR 2003, 1031 – Kupplung für optische Geräte
Offering by distribution of a brochure with pictures of a product equal with the patent
BGH GRUR 2002, 231 – Biegevorrichtung
Scope of right of prior use in patent law
BGH GRUR 2002, 511 – Kunststoffrohrteil
Claim construction and patent granting procedure
BGH GRUR 2002, 519 – Schneidmesser II
Protection by patents in case of surplus in technical contents of invention
BGH GRUR 2001, 228 – Luftheizgerät
Conditions precedent to contributory patent infringement
BGH Mitt.⁴ 2000, 105 – Extrusionskopf
Claim construction by description and drawings
BGH GRUR 1995, 338 – Kleiderbügel
Right to sue of an exclusive licensee to a patent
BGH GRUR 1992, 40 – Beheizbarer Atemluftschlauch
Claim construction
BGH GRUR 1991, 811 – Falzmaschine
Determination of the technical problem of the patent on the basis of the patent specification
BGH GRUR 1989, 187 – Kreiselegge II
On the obligation to concentrate claims based on one or mare patents in one complaint
BGH GRUR 1981, 259 Heuwerbungsmaschine II
Indication of purpose as a hint for the spatial-physical definition of individual features
BGH GRUR 1978, 699 – Windschutzblech
Granting procedure and claim construction
BGH GRUR 1975, 484 – Etikettiergerät
Infringement of a combination-patent by using „clear equvivalent“ means
Gerichtshof Den Haag Mitt. 1997, 34 – Grenzüberscheitende Unterlassungsverfügung
Urgency of a preliminary injunction in connection with a cross-border order to cease and desist
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE⁵ (2011) 13, 199 – Schräg-Raffstore
Concerning the calculation of infringers profits and the costs factors that are taken into account
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2008) 9, 66 – Trägerbahnöse
Subjective conditions precedent to contributory patent infringement
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2008) 9, 56 – Rücknahme des Ordnungsmittelantrags
Conditions precedent to the withdrawal of an application for subpoenas in respect of time
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2008) 8, 122 – Medizinisches Instrument
Uncertainty of a patent’s legal validity in spite of unsuccessful opposition proceedings
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2008) 8, 103 – Etikettiermaschine
Enforcement of claim for inspection
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2006) 6, 123 – Elektronische Anzeigevorrichtung
Scope of the judgment and modified embodiement
OLG Düsseldorf Mitt. 2006, 129 – Hubkippvorrichtung = OLG Düsseldorf Mitt. 2006, 553 – Lifter
Causation of the infringer’s profit by the use of the patent
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2004) 4, 252 – Rohrschweißverfahren
Contributory infringement and the coverage of the patent holder’s consent to the use of the patent vis-a-vis commercial consumers
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2003) 3, 176 – Glasscheiben-Befestiger
Scope of the claim for rendering account
OLG Düsseldorf Mitt. 2003, 264 – Antriebsscheibenaufzug
Designation of means in public domain for direct patent infringement; extent of compensation for contributory patent infringement
OLG Düsseldorf Mitt. 2001, 424 – Längenverstellbares Trägerelement
Scope of the claim for information in respect of time
OLG Düsseldorf GRUR 2000, 599 – Staubsaugerfilter
Claim construction
OLG Düsseldorf GRUR 1999, 702 – Schließfolgeregler
Conditions precedent to equivalent patent infringement
OLG Düsseldorf Mitt. 1998, 179 – Mehrpoliger Steckverbinder
Claim construction
OLG Düsseldorf Mitt. 1998, 27 – Schadensersatz nach der Lizenzanalogie
Determination of an adequate licence in case of damages calculated by licence analogy
OLG Düsseldorf GRUR 1993, 818 – Mehrfachkleiderbügel
Enforcement of the claim for information in the course of preliminary injunction proceedings
OLG Düsseldorf GRUR Int. 1990, 471 – Epilady I
Proof of equivalent patent infringement in the course of preliminary injunction proceedings
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2008) 9, 108 – Klageerweiterung im Verletzungsprozess
Relevance of the extension of the plaintiff’s claim in view of §145 PatG product
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2008) 9, 18 – Beleghalter für Scheibenbremse
Risk of first infringement in territorial jurisdiction of a patent court in case of an act of infringement in another patent court’s territorial jurisdiction only
LG Düsseldorf Mitt. 2008, 119 – Härtungsmittel für wässrige Härze
Extension of the scope of a patent from chemical intermediate to final product
LG Düsseldorf GRUR Int. 2007, 347 – Medizinisches Instrument
Different form requirements for assignment of the right to a patent on the one hand and the European Patent Application on the other hand
LG Mannheim InstGE (2007) 7, 14 – Halbleiterbaugruppe
Default of a mere dealer in case of patent infringement
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2006) 6, 130 – Diffusor
No patent infringement by a engineer if the parts are produced and assembled abroad
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2006) 6, 37 – Abmahnkosten bei Patentverletzung
Amount of lawyer’s fee for a warning letter in patent matters
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2005) 5, 64 – Kleberoller
Urgency in case of infringing embodiment
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2003) 3, 153 – WC-Erfrischer
Jurisdiction for a negative declaratory judgement concerning patent infringement of national parts of a European patent; interest in declaratory judgement by marking and notification
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2003) 3, 1 – Schweißgerät
Contributory patent infringement by delivery of gear affecting essential parts of the procedure
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2002) 2, 253 – Wirbelkammer
Functional claim construction of common technical terms in patent claim
LG Düsseldorf GRUR-RR 2001, 205 – Kaminrohr
Claim construction in case of numbers and indications of measurements in patent claim
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen7 2000, 91 – Spritzkopfschnecke
Conditions precedent to action of a negative declaratory judgement
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 2000, 88 – Betonpumpe
Need for legal relief in patent infringement suits
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 2000, 63 – Kondensatableiter
Determination of an adequate licence in case of damages calculated by licence analogy
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 2000, 32 – Müllbehältergreifvorrichtung
Requirements of an effective claiming of a service invention
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 2000, 8 – Abfallsammelbehälter
Capacity of Employer in a concern/”double-invention within company”
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1999, 75 – Verglasungsklotz
Differentiation between direct and contributory patent infringement
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1999, 5 – Filterbeutel
Scope of the claims for damages and information with respect to contributory patent infringement
LG Düsseldorf Mitt. 1999, 179 – Levitationsmaschine
Exhaustion with respect to product patent and process patent
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1998, 28 – Zeitzeichenempfänger
Scope of the right of prior use
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1998, 17 – Verfahren zur Abgasreinigung
Requirements of written form in matters of antitrust law
LG Düsseldorf GRUR Int. 1998, 804 – Impfstoff II
Stay of proceedings with respect to motion for declaratory judgment in another memberstate of European Union
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1997, 122 – Kostenfaktoren
Requirements on detailed information on cost factors by rendering account
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1997, 118 – Europaweiter Patentschutz
Misleading advertisement with „Europe-wide patent protection“ if a product is not protected by a patent for the whole of Europe
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1997, 68 – Patentiertes Pflegebett
Inadmissibility of a general clue on “patented technique” under competition law if the product also contains public domain components
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1997, 51 – Herzschrittmacher
Claim construction
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1996, 76 – Verfahren zur exponentiellen Amplifikation einer Nukleinsäuresequenz
Claim construction of a process patent
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1996, 41 – Pizzaschachtel
Determination of an adequate licence in case of damages calculated by licence analogy
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1995 II, 3 – Mischventil
Preliminary obligation of licensing patent owner to inform licensee
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1995 I, 7 – Vorrichtung zum Leeren von Müllbehältern II
Determination of an adequate licence in case of damages calculated by licence analogy
LG Düsseldorf GRUR 1994, 509 – Rollstuhlfahrrad
cossible objections of the defendant in case of equivalent patent infringement
LG Düsseldorf GRUR 1990, 117 – Strickwarenhandel II
Scope of claim for information in respect of time
LG Düsseldorf GRUR 1989, 583 – Strickwarenhandel
Requirements of negligent patent infringement for department stores
LG Düsseldorf GRUR Int. 1988, 594 – Haushaltsschneidemaschine
Requirements of the right of prior use in patent law
Trademark Law
EuG GRUR-Prax 2013, 268 – RIDGE WOOD
No similarity of goods/services in case of different customers
EuGH MarkenR⁸ 2005, 438 – THOMSON LIFE
Likelihood of confusion with respect to composite trademarks
EuGH GRUR Int. 1994, 614 – Ideal Standard II
Territoriality and independency of claims according to national trademark law; free movement of goods
BGH GRUR 2004, 947 – gazoz
Split common opinion on lemonade as a generic term or indication of origin
BGH Marken 2002, 335 – 1, 2, 3 im Sauseschritt
Elimination of the likelihood of confusion by different meaning despite similiarity in sound
BGH WRP9 2002, 534 – BIG
Requirements of likelihood of confusion with respect to series of marks
BGH GRUR 1998, 697 – Venus Multi
Use of a trademark as a description
BGH GRUR 1971, 251 – Oldtimer
Use of a sign as a trademark; period of grace
OLG Stuttgart InstGE (2011) 13, 44 – Magic Sky
genuine use of a trade mark for multiple goods
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2004) 4, 183 – LIFE
Likelihood of confusion by adding a mark of an undertaking to third-party trademark
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2001) 1, 107 – Centrotherm
Infringement of trademarks and names by reservation of an internet-domain
OLG Düsseldorf Mitt. 2003, 327 – Top Ticket
Significance of the prospect of a suit for cancellation of a trade mark in injunction proceedings based on trade mark infringement
OLG Düsseldorf GRUR-RR ¹⁰ 2002,20 – T-Box
Use of an internet-domain identical in wording with registered trademark
OLG Düsseldorf Mitt. 2001, 377 – Wiederverwendbarer Gaszylinder
Refilling of a marked gas-barrel as a trademark infringement
OLG Düsseldorf GRUR-RR 2001, 49 – Combit/ComIT
No estoppel deriving from an older trade mark only licensed for the use of defense
OLG Düsseldorf WRP 1996, 559 – adp
Requirements of a „contributory trade mark infringement”
OLG Düsseldorf WRP 1995, 330 – Ideal Standard
Use of a trade mark as an infringement of older trade names
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 2000, 15 – 1, 2, 3 im Sauseschritt
Protectability and scope of protection of the title of a children’s book
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1999, 115 – GVP
Seniority of trade names consisting of combinations of letters after the trade mark act came into force
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1998, 21 – Witch Game
Deception and dishonesty of advertisement with a non-existing trademark
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1996, 84 – BIG
Distinctiveness of a trademark and danger of confusion requirements
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1996, 83 – Kult Shirts
Distinctiveness of commercial designations
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1996, 54 – Contec
Forfeiture of trademark claims
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1996, 7 – IPRax/WPrax
Likelihood of confusion in case of identical part of title
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1995 III, 7 – Fruit Point
Scope of claims for information and damages in respect of time
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1995 II, 6 – EWIKON/EVICOM
Necessary similarity of field of business for a likelihood of confusion
Design Patent Law
LG Düsseldorf InstGE (2008) 9, 114 – Taschenlampe
Amount of refundable costs for the request of a closing statement
BGH GRUR 2004, 427 – Computergehäuse
Judgment of the existing design corpus
BGH WRP 2004, 1175 – Klemmhebel
Judicial appraisal of the existing design corpus
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2004) 4, 152 – Teppichbodenmuster
Forfeiture of claims based on infringement of design patents
Unfair Competition Law
OLG Düsseldorf InstGE (2009) 10, 98 – Lithographische Druckplatten
Jurisdiction of German courts and applicability of German unfair competition law in case of a press statement on a German patent infringement suit published on the internet abroad by a foreign company
LG München ZUM-RD¹¹ 2006, 139-144
Differentiation between unallowed adaption and free use; No unallowed adaption by using the idea of presenting bears in explicit poses
OLG Frankfurt/Main GRUR-RR 2003, 287 – Magic Modul
purpose of a console to decode pay-TV-programmes without a permission
OLG Düsseldorf GRUR-RR 2001, 94 – Zustellung im Parteibetrieb
Deadline met by application for service
OLG Hamm GRUR 1991, 689 – Das Möbelerlebnis im Westen
Conditions precedent to misleading advertisements with unique selling position
LG Düsseldorf Entscheidungen 1998, 22 – Zargenschloß
Conditions precedent to particular competitive nature for technical goods
Plant Protection Law
EuGH Mitt. 2004, 219 – Saatgut-Treuhandverwaltungsgesellschaft
Scope of a union of owners of registered plant varieties right to sue; scope of claims for information
Antitrust Law
EuGH GRUR Int. 1994, 614 – Ideal Standard
Effects of transfer of foreign marks on remaining national marks
BGH GRUR 2004, 966 – Standard-Spundfass
The claim for granting of a patent licence is not excluded by the authority to grant a compulsory licence
BGH GRUR 2002, 915 – Wettbewerbsverbot im Realteilungsvertrag
Scope of res judicata with respect to the examination of non-competition clauses
BGH GRUR 1998, 838 – Lizenz- und Beratungsvertrag
Requirement of written form in matters of antitrust law with respect to licence and advisory agreements which contain restrictions of the licensee; compensation of enrichment in cases of formal defects of a licence and advisory agreement
1 GRUR = Gewerblicher Rechtsschutz und Urheberrecht
2 GRUR-Prax = GRUR-Praxis im Immaterialgüter- und Wettbewerbsrecht
3 IIC = International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law
4 Mitt. = Mitteilungen der Deutschen Patentanwälte
5 InstGE = Rechtssprechung der Instanzgerichte zum Recht des geistigen Eigentums
6 GRUR Int. = GRUR Internationaler Teil
7 Entscheidungen = Entscheidungssammlung der 4. Zivilkammer des Landgerichts Düsseldorf
8 MarkenR = Zeitschrift für deutsches, europäisches und internationales Markenrecht
9 WRP = Wettbewerb in Recht und Praxis
10 GRUR-RR = GRUR-Rechtsprechungsreport
11 ZUM-RD = Zeitschrift für Urheber und Medienrecht – Rechtsprechungsdienst