--- title: "Patent Litigation" id: "1998" type: "expertise" slug: "patent-litigation" published_at: "2026-01-24T01:18:50+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-29T12:43:18+00:00" url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/patent-litigation/" markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/patent-litigation.md" excerpt: "Defending innovation in every aspect of patent disputes Patent litigation now stands at the heart of industrial competition. The Unified Patent Court (UPC), national courts, the EPO, and the INPI each represent strategic arenas where competitive dynamics can shift, licensing..." taxonomy_language: - "English" taxonomy_post_translations: - "pll_69741dfa93e8d" taxonomy_tax_expertise: - "Patent Litigation" taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise: - "Dispute Resolution" --- ## Defending innovation *in every aspect of patent disputes* Patent litigation now stands at the heart of industrial competition. The Unified Patent Court (UPC), national courts, the EPO, and the INPI each represent strategic arenas where competitive dynamics can shift, licensing negotiations can unfold, and years of R&D investment can be protected. We design both offensive and defensive strategies for technology groups, pharmaceutical companies, industrial players, and investment funds facing multi-jurisdictional attacks. Attorneys and European Patent Attorneys (EPO representatives) work in integrated teams, combining technical analysis, procedural planning, and commercial objectives. This coordination enables us to leverage interactions between parallel proceedings, exploit weaknesses in opposing cases, and build strong negotiating positions. ## *our* Capabilities ### (01) Patent Litigation before National Courts and the UPC We act before the Unified Patent Court and national jurisdictions to pursue or defend infringement actions, obtain preliminary injunctions, file declaratory non-infringement claims, and handle FRAND disputes.rnrnEach case is developed with full awareness of concurrent proceedings, chosen forums, and commercial objectives, whether to block a launch, negotiate a license, or invalidate a vulnerable patent. Our coordination between European and national venues provides listed companies, tech scale-ups, and industrial clients with a direct operational advantage through procedural expertise. ### (02) Patent Proceedings before the EPO and INPI Oppositions, appeals, limitations, and third-party observations form the administrative backbone of patent disputes. We represent clients before the EPO and INPI to invalidate competitor patents or strengthen our clients’ titles.rnrnThis administrative work supports broader litigation strategy, enabling anticipation of judicial outcomes. For industrial groups as well as innovative SMEs, we assess portfolio strength, leverage prior art, and coordinate parallel proceedings. Each office decision redefines the scope of protection and reshapes the client’s commercial flexibility. ### (03) Employee Inventions: Advisory and Litigation We advise technology companies and executives on all aspects of employee inventions, from determining whether inventions fall within or outside the scope of employment to calculating fair compensation and managing disputes.rnrnPreventively, we help implement internal policies to clarify rights and reduce future litigation. In contentious phases, we protect corporate interests before the competent courts, balancing Ru0026amp;D team motivation with long-term financial risk management. ### (04) Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation Laboratories, biotech firms, medtech companies, generic manufacturers and biosimilar producers: we protect their innovations and defend their market positions. Oppositions, supplementary protection certificates, cross-border litigation and disputes related to marketing authorisations or clinical trials all require integrated legal strategies combining patent law, health regulations and competition law.rnWe assist clients at every stage, from clinical research to commercial launches exposed to immediate challenges. For both private and public stakeholders, this integrated approach secures market access and supports Ru0026amp;D profitability. ### (05) Industrial and Technological Sectors Information technology, telecommunications, semiconductors, energy, cleantech, chemistry, materials, mechanics, and consumer goods: innovation in these sectors defines competitive advantage. Whether protecting an AI breakthrough, securing battery technology, or defending an industrial process, we tailor our strategies to each industry’s pace, standards, and market dynamics.rnrnOur sector-specific expertise strengthens the technical precision of arguments and enhances judicial credibility, ensuring that innovation remains protected across every stage of development. Collective excellence at the service of the *highest standards* Team [Grégoire Desrousseaux ( European Patent Attorney, Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/gregoire-desrousseaux/) [Lionel Martin ( European Patent Attorney, Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/lionel-martin/) [François Pochart ( European Patent Attorney, Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/francois-pochart/) [Pierre-Olivier Ally ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/pierre-olivier-ally/) [Julia Cohen-Solal ( Counsel, European Patent Attorney )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/julia-cohen-solal/) [Océane Millon de La Verteville ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/oceane-millon-de-la-verteville/) [Geoffroy Thill ( Counsel, European Patent Attorney )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/geoffroy-thill/) [Martin Brion ( European Patent Attorney, Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/martin-brion/) [Candice Dupin ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/candice-dupin/) [Jeanne Morel-Fourrier ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/jeanne-morel-fourrier/) [Mayeul Ottaviani ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/mayeul-ottaviani/) [Antoine Lerond ( European Patent Attorney, French Patent Attorney )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/antoine-lerond/) [Mehdi Mahammedi-Bouzina ( European Patent Attorney, French Patent Attorney )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/mehdi-mahammedi-bouzina/) [Yannick Pereira ( European Patent Attorney, French Patent Attorney )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/yannick-pereira/) [Thomas Gentil ( Patent Engineer )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/thomas-gentil/) [Matthieu Le Cacheux ( Patent Engineer )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/matthieu-le-cacheux/) Précédent Suivant ## Contact Us ## *our* References Patent Litigation #### Leading generics manufacturer – Patent litigation & SPC strategies Represents a major generics company in complex patent and SPC disputes, including invalidity and infringement actions, launch-at-risk strategies, multi-jurisdictional coordination and strategic monitoring of high-stakes EU proceedings. Patent Litigation #### Major automotive supplier – Patent litigation & employee inventions Represents a leading global automotive supplier in high-tech patent disputes (UPC, infringement actions, unfair competition) as well as in strategic employee-invention matters, validity and freedom-to-operate analyses, and IP governance issues. Patent Litigation #### Major semiconductor player – UPC litigation & global dispute Represents a major semiconductor company in a patent infringement action before the Paris Local Division of the UPC against a global tech group, in a unique transatlantic dispute involving parallel proceedings and the threat of EU-wide injunction, ultimately resolved through a confidential global settlement. **Rankings**& Recognitions m - (01)Chambers and Partners 2026 – France Pharma/Life Sciences: Intellectual Property - (02)Chambers and Partners 2025 – Global Pharma/Life Sciences: Intellectual Property - (03)Legal 500 2025 – Global Intellectual Property : Patents [More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=patent-litigation) ## *Latest* News [09/01/26 Legal Article 4 min InterDigital v Amazon: The UPC pushback against ASI-Equivalent interim licensing in a post-Brexit landscape In a post-Brexit context falling outside the scope of EU Regulation No 1215/2012 (Brussels I bis), the Local Division of Mannheim the UPC, in its Order of 22 December 2025 (UPC_CFI_936/2025), confirmed in full its ex parte order of 30 September 2025, rejecting Amazon’s application for review.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/interdigital-v-amazon-the-upc-pushback-against-asi-equivalent-interim-licensing-in-a-post-brexit-landscape/) [14/11/25 Legal Article 14 min Warning letters and disparagement: a recent Supreme Court ruling on copyright and its potential repercussions on patent law In its decision of 15 October 2025 (Cass. Com. No. 24-11.150), the French Supreme Court adopted a particularly strict approach to disparagement. It held that, in the absence of a court ruling establishing copyright infringement, merely informing third parties of a possible infringement constitutes an act of disparagement under Article 1240 of the French Civil Code. The ruling, issued in a copyright dispute, sanctions the sending of warning letters to…](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/warning-letters-and-disparagement-a-recent-supreme-court-ruling-on-copyright-and-its-potential-repercussions-on-patent-law/) [06/11/25 Legal Article 2 min August Debouzy at IAM Live: Navigating the UPC 2025 On 5 November, August Debouzy took part in IAM Live: Navigating the UPC 2025, one of the key international events dedicated to the Unified Patent Court. The conference brought together leading corporate legal officers, patent attorneys, lawyers, and judges to discuss recent developments, practical challenges, and opportunities arising from the UPC’s first years of operation.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/august-debouzy-at-iam-live-navigating-the-upc-2025/) [04/11/25 Legal Article 3 min François Pochart, partner at August Debouzy and European patent attorney, represents Abbott with Taylor Wessing in strategic Unified Patent Court litigation François Pochart, partner at August Debouzy (AD), has successfully represented global healthcare leader Abbott Diabetes Care, alongside Taylor Wessing, in several major proceedings before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), including actions before the Paris Central and Local Divisions, both Paris and The Hague. AD team, led by François Pochart, worked in close collaboration with Christian Dekoninck and the international Taylor Wessing team.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/francois-pochart-partner-at-august-debouzy-and-european-patent-attorney-represents-abbott-with-taylor-wessing-in-strategic-unified-patent-court-litigation/) [27/10/25 Legal Article 5 min Revocation, provisional enforcement and limitation: heads I win, tails you lose… The Paris Court of Appeal has ruled a second time on the possibilities of limitation by the patentee, following a decision by the court of first instance t](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/revocation-provisional-enforcement-and-limitation-heads-i-win-tails-you-lose/) 01 05 Précédent Suivant [Find our latest news](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/le-hub/) News ## FAQ ### (01) How does a law firm specializing in patent litigation act before the Unified Patent Court and national courts? Patent litigation has become a full-fledged arena for industrial competition. Since 1 June 2023, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) allows patent holders to obtain a single enforceable decision across the member states that have ratified the agreement, with a seven-year transitional period during which national courts retain concurrent jurisdiction for classic European patents. We act before the UPC and national jurisdictions to pursue or defend infringement actions, obtain preliminary injunctions, file declaratory non-infringement claims, and handle FRAND disputes. Our coordination between European and national venues provides listed companies, tech scale-ups and industrial clients with a direct operational advantage. ### (02) What role do proceedings before the EPO and INPI play in a patent litigation strategy? Administrative proceedings before patent offices (oppositions, appeals, limitations, third-party observations) form the backbone of an effective litigation strategy. Before the European Patent Office, an opposition must be filed within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the patent (Article 99 of the European Patent Convention). We act before the EPO and INPI to invalidate competitor patents or strengthen our clients’ titles, leveraging prior art and coordinating parallel proceedings. Each office decision redefines the scope of protection and reshapes the client’s commercial flexibility. ### (03) How can you protect your company’s interests in employee invention disputes? Managing employee inventions is a significant asset-related challenge for technology companies. Article L. 611-7 of the French Intellectual Property Code distinguishes between service inventions (belonging to the employer, giving rise to supplementary compensation) and attributable non-service inventions (which the employer may claim ownership of in exchange for a fair price). We advise companies and executives on the qualification of inventions, the calculation of fair compensation, and the management of contentious claims. Preventively, we implement internal policies to clarify rights and reduce future litigation. ### (04) How can pharmaceutical innovation and medical devices be defended in patent litigation? Laboratories, biotech firms, medtech companies, generic manufacturers and biosimilar producers face disputes where patent law, health regulations and competition law intersect. Regulation (EC) No 469/2009 provides for supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) extending patent protection for a maximum of five years beyond expiry. We handle oppositions, SPCs, cross-border litigation and disputes related to marketing authorizations or clinical trials. This integrated approach secures market exclusivity and supports the profitability of Ru0026amp;D investments. ### (05) In which industrial and technological sectors can a law firm specializing in patent litigation defend your innovations? Information technology, telecommunications, semiconductors, energy, cleantech, chemistry, materials, mechanics and consumer goods: in these sectors, the patent race directly determines competitive positioning. Whether protecting an AI breakthrough, securing battery technology or defending an industrial process, we tailor our litigation strategies to each industry’s pace, technical standards and market dynamics. Our sector-specific expertise strengthens the technical precision of arguments and enhances judicial credibility before both national courts and the UPC. ### (06) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for patent litigation? We design both offensive and defensive strategies for technology groups, pharmaceutical companies, industrial players and investment funds facing multi-jurisdictional attacks. Attorneys and European Patent Attorneys (EPO representatives) work in integrated teams, combining technical analysis, procedural planning and commercial objectives. This coordination enables us to leverage interactions between parallel proceedings, exploit weaknesses in opposing cases and build strong negotiating positions. From a product launch threatened by a competitor to the valuation of a portfolio before a sale, we manage patent litigation as a tool for competitiveness.