WHO' S W HOLEGAL WM FRANCE 2016

OVERVIEW

PROFESSIONAL NOTICE

PRACTICE AREA REVIEWS

LEGAL MARKET ANALYSES

PROFILES

DIRECTORY

www. whoswholegal. corn PATENTS 95

PATENTS Preparations for the Unified Patent Court and the Unitary Patent are in the final stages, and there is much anticipation for what will

be the biggest change to patent law in Europe for 40 years. As the seat of the central division Paris will have a key role to play in the

new system; it will be supported by two specialist sections in London and Munich. As a result, it is anticipated that competition in the

market will increase as more patent firms look to expand their offering in the city.

Véron & Associés leads the research with four lawyers singled out for inclusion.

Pierre Véron has focused exclusively on patent litigation since 1995 and is "world - renowned" for his expertise in the field. He

was one of the two French experts who

assisted the European Commission in setting

up a European patent with unitary effect and

a European patent court. Sabine Agé is "a

fearless advocate" who represents companies

in the fields of telecommunications, medical

devices, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, as well

as research organisations. Her practice is

"greatly respected" by peers who commend her "strong technical skills" and "unflappable

manner ". Thomas Bouvet concentrates on

patent validity and infringement litigation.

He is "a star" in the market.The "first- rate" Isabelle Romet is widely acknowledged as

a "top -flight litigator" in Paris. She specialises

in patent litigation in the chemistry,

pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries.

At Gide Loyrette Nouel three names are

recommended. Raphaëlle Dequiré- Portier has vast experience in patent litigation, in both in domestic and pan -European cases.

Her expertise is particularly prominent in the

life sciences field in regard to drugs, medical

devices and supplementary protection certificates, as well as in technologies and

mechanics. Emmanuel Larere's patent litigation practice encompasses life sciences,

technologies and traditional industrial sectors.

He is "sensational" at handling contentious matters and "always puts the client at ease ".

Grégoire Triet is a "go -to lawyer" for

national and European patent disputes and

his practice covers validity and infringement platters.

Two lawyers at August & Debouzy are

highly nominated. Grégoire Desrousseaux is a "pre -eminent figure" in the market whose "expertise is unrivalled ". He acts for French and foreign clients in connection with their patent -related issues and is

active in litigation before the French courts. François Pochart is also highly recommended for his patent expertise. In

addition to representing clients in litigation

he also advises on regulatory issues and

matters related to supplementary protection

certificates for drugs and phytosanitary

products.

Bird & Bird is also represented by

two practitioners. Yves Bizollon is a

"standout" in the patent market.With more than 25 years' experience in IP, he handles

cases in the pharmaceuticals, electronics,

telecommunications and mechanics fields.

Anne -Charlotte Le -Bihan is best known for her patent litigation expertise and is

"popular with clients" due to her "detailed

and sensible advice" and "commercial

approach" to litigation.

Dechert's Marianne Schaffner is a

"tremendous advocate" and serves as national

head of the IP group and national co -head of the life sciences group of Dechert in Paris.

She is particularly recommended for her experience coordinating litigation in Europe

and the US and for her "comprehensive

understanding of the US litigation system ".

At his own firm Denis Schertenleib is dual qualified to practise in Paris and in

England and Wales. He possesses a "sharp

intellect ", which is put to good use in patent

litigation in the life sciences and technology

fields.

Bardehle Pagenberg's Julien Fréneaux is an "all -time great" in the patent litigation

sector. He regularly coordinates with teams

of lawyers in different jurisdictions and is

praised for his "international mindset" and

"responsiveness ".

Armengaud Guerlain is represented by

Catherine Mateu whose clients range from

inventors to designers, non -profit groups and

multinational corporations. She is a "solutions - oriented" lawyer who is "highly effective ".

Dariusz Szleper at Szleper Henry Avocats has over 30 years' experience

handling patent disputes and is recommended

for his "exceptional abilities" and

"meticulous" approach.

At Reed Smith Marina Consté is an

"esteemed practitioner" with a "sharp mind"

when it comes to advising on validity and freedom to operate issues.

Pinsent Masons' Emmanuel Gougé litigates patent disputes in the electronics,

pharmaceutical and chemical fields. He also drafts and negotiates IP agreements

and technology transfer agreements. He is

described as having "intricate knowledge" of the sector and applying a "no- nonsense

approach ".

Thierry Mollet -Vieville of Duclos Thorne Mollet - Vieville et Associés applies

a "forensic approach" to cases and has an

"excellent style of delivery" according to

peers and clients.

At Olswang Jean- Frédéric Gaultier has an "intricate knowledge" of patent law

and assists clients with advisory and disputes

matters.

At Allen & Overy Laëtitia Bénard leads

the Paris IP practice and is co -head of the global life sciences group. She is "diligent" and provides "sensible advice ".

Denis Monégier du Sorbier at Hoyng Rokh Monegier divides his time between Düsseldorf and Paris and has a particular focus

on patent disputes both domestic and cross - border. He has a "commanding presence in

court" and a "hands -on approach ".

Founding partner Marc -Roger Hirsch of Hirsch & Associés has a "wealth of understanding" of patent law and is deemed a

"pleasure to work with ".

Alexandra Neri at Herbert Smith

Freehills is "internationally renowned" for her IP practice encompassing patent litigation.

David Masson at Dentons is currently

representing a leading multinational mobile

company in ongoing patent litigation in

France regarding the continuity of the sale

in France of its products that are compatible

with the UMTS Standard. He is "incredibly

effective" and "highly sought after ".

Head of the IP /TMT practice at

Linklaters in Paris Pauline Debré regularly

assists clients in patent litigation, as well as

in the negotiation and drafting of contracts

related to IP rights.

EDITORIAL POLICY AND SELECTION CRITERIA: NOMINEES HAVE BEEN SELECTED BASED UPON COMPREHENSIVE, INDEPENDENT SURVEY WORK WITH BOTH GENERAL COUNSEL

AND LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WORLDWIDE, ONLY SPECIALISTS WHO HAVE MET INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CRITERIA ARE LISTED

96 PATENTS WHO'S WHO LEGAL FRANCE

SABINE AGE Véron & Associés I, rue Volney Paris, 75002 Tel: +33 I 47 03 62 62

Fax: +33 I 47 03 62 69

sabine.age @veron.com www.veron.com

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 1994, Sabine Agé has been dedicating herself exclusively to patent litigation when she became a partner ofVéron & Associés at the creation of the firm in 2001.

Véron & Associés is a law firm of 12 lawyers, assisted by a scientific consultants, an economic litigation consultant, a graphic designer and translators, dealing exclusively with patent litigation for French and international clients.

Sabine handles standard related cases in the multimedia systems and telecommunications fields and has acted in particular on behalf of international telecommunications manufacturers for the French part of worldwide cross -border patent litigations. She is also active in cases relating to pharmaceuticals, chemicals and medical instruments as well as household appliances and consumer goods, for international and domestic industry -based clients as well as research organisations. She deals with legal issues extending from contractual disputes, patent ownership (and co- ownership) to validity and infringement.

Sabine lectures on patent litigation at the International Centre of Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) in Strasbourg and at the universities of Lyon and Montpellier, in addition to her speaking engagements for conferences.

Sabine Agé is an active member of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) and of the European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW). She is also a member of IPO and AIPLA through Véron & Associés.

Véron & Associés maintains close relationship with top -tier independent law firms in other jurisdictions, which can handle parallel proceedings in multi jurisdictional cases.

She is co- author of Saisie -contrefaçon, trilingual version, edited by Pierre Véron (2015).

WWL says: Sabine Agé is praised for her "skilful and effective handling" of pharmaceutical and biotech patent validity and infringement proceedings

THOMAS BOUVET Véron & Associés I, rue Volney Paris, 75002 Tel: +33 I 47 03 62 62

Fax: +33 I 47 03 62 69

thomas.bouvet @veron.com www.veron.com

Thomas Bouvet obtained an LLM in the USA and is a doctor -at -law Admitted to the Bar in 1996, he has dedicated himself to patent litigation since he became a partner ofVéron & Associés, since the firm was founded in 2001.

Véron & Associés is a law firm of 12 lawyers, a scientific consultant, an economic litigation consultant, a graphic designer and translators, dealing exclusively with patent litigation for French and international clients.

Thomas handles patent validity and infringement disputes in the fields of electronics, telecommunications, mechanics, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, medical products and biotechnologies. He defends employers in actions of compensation for employees' inventions and advises companies setting up appropriate policies in this respect. Thomas handled many actions for infringement of plant breeder's rights and represents clients before the CPVO. He obtained a number of pioneering decisions about trade secret misappropriation.

Thomas lectures on patent litigation. He is a member of AIPPI (a member of the programme committee and co -chair of the standing committee on biotechnology and plant breeders' rights), GRAPI (former president), and EPLAW. He is also an administrator of Centre Paul Roubier.The firm is a member of IPO and AIPLA.

Thomas is the author of a doctoral thesis, "The Legal Protection ofVegetal Innovation ", and co- author of Saisie - Contrefaçon, trilingual version, edited by PierreVéron (2015), and Droit et Pratique des

Voies d'Exécution published in the Dalloz Action series 2013 -2014. He contributed to Global Patent Litigation: How and Where to Win, published by Bloomberg BNA (2014).

WWL says: Thomas Bouvet is an "outstanding operator" in relation to life sciences patent litigation

JULIEN FRENEAUX Bardehle Pagenberg

I O boulevard Haussmann

Paris, 75009 Tel: +33 I 53 05 15 00 Fax: +33 I 53 05 15 05

freneaux @bardehle.fr www.bardehle.com

The practice of Julien Fréneaux, Dipl CEIPI Brevets, DESS, Sciences -Po, comprises adviceand litigation in all matters of intellectual property, with an emphasis on patent infringement and validity litigation before the French courts, as well as trademark, design and unfair competition matters, licensing, technology transfer agreements andIP- related contracts.

The cases that Julien Fréneaux handles regularly involve coordination with teams of lawyers from other jurisdictions as well as with parallel litigation proceedings in different countries in a complex internationallitigation framework. He represents international as well as French corporate clients in patent infringement and nullity cases before the various French courts

Julien Fréneaux has managed many multinational patent conflicts concerning technologies such as medical devices, sports equipments and mechanical engineering He also handles a number of fashion design infringement cases. Julien Fréneaux has published a number of articles on various IP topics.

He is admitted to the Paris Bar and heads theParis office of Bardehle Pagenberg

WWL says: Julien Fréneaux is an "all -time great" in the patent litigation sector He regularly coordinates with teams of lawyers in different jurisdictions and is praised for his

"international mindset" and "responsiveness"

EDITORIAL POLICY AND SELECTION CRITERIA NOMINEES HAVE BEEN SELECTED BASED UPON COMPREHENSIVE, INDEPENDENT SURVEY WORKWITH BOTH GENERAL COUNSEL

AND LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WORLDWIDE. ONLY SPECIALISTS WHO HAVE MET INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CRITERIA ARE LISTED

www whoswholegal.corn PATENTS 97

EMMANUEL GOUGÉ Pinsent Masons LLP

21-23 rue Balzac

Paris, 75008 Tel +33

1 53 53 02 80

Fax +33 1 53 53 02 81

emmanuel gouge @pinsentmasons.com

www pinsentmasons.com

Emmanuel Gougé heads Pinsent Masons' intellectual property law practice in Paris and has over 20 years' experience as a lawyer He actively participates in the firm's Franco -German practice as a member of the intellectual property German desk and is also part of Pmsent Masons European team dedicated to assisting clients with their concerns and opportunities linked to the upcoming Unified Patent Court.

Emmanuel specialises in intellectual property law with a strong focus on patents and know -how, dealing with contentious, non - contentious and transactional matters. He is admitted in England and Wales, as well as in France, and has been involved in a range of domestic and multi jurisdictional patent matters including validity, infringement and ownership litigation, on behalf of clients from the life science, medical device, electronics, automotive and aerospace sectors.

Emmanuel offers expertise in negotiating and drafting domestic and international technology transfer agreements, with a focus on the electronics, telecoms, automotive, medical devices and retail industry sectors. He also has specific experience in FRAND (licensing) and patent pool issues.

Emmanuel heads the European committee of the Licensing Executive Society (LES) International, and is former president of LES France (2011- 2015). He is a member of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, and sits on the jury for the French Patent Attorney Qualification Exam He lectures on IP and licensing at the European Patent Academy (European Patent Office), Mines ParisTech, HEC Business School and the International Centre of Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) in Strasbourg

Emmanuel began his career in 1994 at CMS Francis Lefebvre. In 1997 he moved to Bird & Bird, and in 2004 he founded the Paris law firm EGAvocats. Emmanuel joined Pinsent Masons France in 2012 as head of the IP department

WWL Emmanuel Gouge is described as having "intricate knowledge" of the sector and applying a "no- nonsense approach"

ANNE -CHARLOTTE LE BIHAN Bird & Bird AARPI Centre d'Affaires Edouard VII

3 Square Edouard VII

Paris, 75009 Tel: +33

I 42 68 6000

Fax: +33 1 42 68 601 I

anne.charlotte.le.bihan@twobirds.com www.twobirds.com

Anne -Charlotte is an intellectual property partner based in the Paris office of Bird & Bird AARPI.

She has significant experience in both contentious and non- contentious intellectual property matters, developed over the past 15 years.

While her major forte is patent litigation, notably in the pharmaceutical, electronics and telecommunications sectors, she also has vast experience in soft IP matters. Within this area she notably advises major pharmaceutical, luxury and sports companies on sensitive trademark- related matters.

Anne -Charlotte regularly advises clients in drafting and negotiating IP related contracts and frequently carries out IP due diligence.

Before joining Bird & Bird in 2013, Anne- Charlotte was an IP lawyer at Gide Loyrette Nouel.

Anne -Charlotte teaches intellectual property law at the Universities of Paris II Panthéon Assas, Orsay Paris Sud, and Cergy- Pontoise. She is a regular speaker at major legal and industry conferences such as ABA, LESI, or ABPI.

She is the author of many articles, including "SPCs:Three new pillars buttress case -law" (Revue Propriété Industrielle, March 2014).

MIR ranks her as an IP star. The Legal 500 Europe comments "Anne- Charlotte Le Bihan provides really good strategic advice ". IAM 1000 says, "Anne- Charlotte Le Bihan is making a name as one of the country's rising stars for pharmaceutical litigation."

Anne -Charlotte is a member of the AIPPI French Group, APEB, EPLAW, INTA, ABA and APRAM. She is Secretary of the French chapter of LESI.

Anne -Charlotte speaks French, English and Spanish.

WWL: Anne -Charlotte Le -Bihan is best known for her patent litigation expertise and is "popular with clients" due to her "detailed and sensible advice" and "commercial approach" to litigation

ISABELLE ROMET Véron & Associés I , rue Volney Paris, 75002 Tel: +33 I 47 03 62 62

Fax: +33 I 47 03 62 69

isabelle.romet @veron.com www.veron.com

Isabelle Romet is entirely dedicated to patent litigation, as are the 12 other lawyers of the firm. Admitted to the Bar in 1988, she began working with PierreVéron immediately afterwards. She is a co- founder of the firm Véron & Associés in 2001, with Pierre Véron, Thomas Bouvet and Sabine Agé.

Her practice focuses on patent validity and infringement in most technical areas, especially in complex technological fields and in an international context. A team player, she points out the importance of the firm's scientific consultant who assists the lawyers to build a strong technical reasoning and design the best visual aids with the in -house graphic designer.The economic litigation consultant allows the clients to assess the financial stakes of the case at all stages.

She has handled landmark cases relating to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, ophthalmology, nanotechnology, diagnosis, genetically modified plants and veterinary products. Her expertise in pharmaceutical patents goes with a focus on supplementary protection certificates. Green technologies are a growing activity. She remains active in mechanics, electricity and electronics.

Convinced by the interest of alternative dispute resolution, she develops mediation in addition to negotiations.

She lectures on patent litigation at Sciences Po, Paris, various intellectual property centres (such as Centre Paul Roubier), international conferences and private seminars. She is a member of AIPPI, EPLAW, LES and, through Véron & Associés, IPO and AIPLA. She is a co- author of the book Saisie- Contrefaçon, trilingual version, edited by PierreVéron (2015). She contributed to the book Patent Enforcement Worldwide, published by Hart Publishing (2015).

WWL says: Isabelle Romet is widely acknowledged as a "top- flight litigator" in Paris whose patent litigation practice is deemed "first- rate"

EDITORIAL POLICY AND SELECTION CRITERIA, NOMINEES HAVE BEEN SELECTED BASED UPON COMPREHENSIVE, INDEPENDENT SURVEY WORK WITH BOTH GENERAL COUNSEL

AND LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WORLDWIDE, ONLY SPECIALISTS WHO HAVE MET INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CRITERIA ARE LISTED

98 PATENTS WHO'S WHO LEGAL FRANCE

PIERRE VÉRON Véron & Associés I, rue Volney Paris, 75002 Tel: +33

1 47 03 62 62

Fax: +33 1 47 03 62 69

pierre.veron @veron.com www.veron.com

Pierre Véron is a member of the Paris Bar.

Véron & Associés, with 12 lawyers and offices in Paris and Lyon, deals solely in patent litigation, with a special emphasis on international cases. It won the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2015 Managing Intellectual Property Award for the French Law Firm of theYear and the 2003, 2007, 2009 and 2014 Décideurs Award for the Best Intellectual Property Law Practice in France.

PierreVéron is the honorary president of the European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW), which he founded in 2001 and of the French association of patent litigators. He has taught European patent litigation at the International Centre of Industrial Property Studies (CEIPI) in Strasbourg. Between 2007 and 2012 he served as an expert with the European Commission for the creation of the Unified Patent Court in Europe. He has then been a member of the drafting committee of the Rules of Procedure of this court. He now serves as an expert in the Expert panel advising the Preparatory Committee of the Unified Patent court.

Pierre Véron is the editor of Saisie- Contrefaçon, trilingual version (2015), and of Concise International and European Intellectual Property Law, published by Kluwer Law International (third edition, 2014). He is also the author of more than 70 other publications on patent litigation.

A former president of an arbitration centre and a former associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, he has been involved in several arbitration proceedings, either as counsel, arbitrator or chairman of the arbitration panel.

Véron & Associés maintains a statistical study on patent litigation in France.The latest report concerns the years 2000 to 2009, and follows on from a previous study spanning the years 1990 to 1999. Both can be found on the firm's website.

WWL says: Pierre Véron is "world - renowned" in the patents field for his "wealth of knowledge and experience ". Clients "cannot praise him highly enough"

DIRECTORY

An asterisk denotes lawyers who have

profiles in the preceding pages

SABINE AGÉ* Véron & Associés Paris

sabine.age @veron.com

LAËTITIA BÉNARD Allen & Overy LLP

Paris

laetitia.benard @allenovery.com

YVES BIZOLLON Bird & Bird AARPI Paris

yves.bizollon@twobirds.com

THOMAS BOUVET* Véron & Associés Paris

thomas.bouvet @veron.com

MARINA COUSTÉ` Reed Smith Paris

mcouste @reedsm ith. corn

PAULINE DEBRÉ Linklaters LLP

Paris

pauline.debre @linklaters.com

RAPHAËLLE DEQUIRÉ- PORTIER Gide Loyrette Nouel AARPI Paris

dequire- portier @gide.com

GRÉGOIRE DESROUSSEAUX August & Debouzy Paris

gdesrousseaux @augdeb.com

JULIEN FRÉNEAUX* Bardehle Pagenberg Paris

freneaux@bardehle.fr

JEAN- FRÉDÉRIC GAULTIER Olswang LLP

Paris

jean- frederic.gaultier@olswang.com

EMMANUEL GOUGÉ* Pinsent Masons LLP

Paris

emmanuel .gouge @pinsentmasons.com

MARC -ROGER HIRSCH Hirsch & Associés Paris

mrh @cabinet- hirsch,com

EMMANUEL LARERE Gide Loyrette Nouel AARPI Paris

larere @gide.com

ANNE -CHARLOTTE LE BIHANC Bird & Bird AARPI Paris

anne.charlotte.le.bihan@twobirds corn

DAVID MASSON Dentons Paris

david.masson @dentons corn

CATHERINE MATEU Armengaud Guerlain Paris

c.mateu @armengaud- guerlain corn

THIERRY MOLLET-VIEVILLE Duclos Thorne Mollet Viéville & associés Paris

tmv @dtmvparis.com

DENIS MONÉGIER DU SORBIER Hoyng ROKH Monegier Paris monegierdusorbierd @hoyngmonegiercom

ALEXANDRA NERI Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Paris

alexandra.neri @hsf.com

FRANÇOIS POCHART August & Debouzy Paris

fpochart @augdeb.com

ISABELLE ROMET* Véron & Associés Paris

Isabelle.romet @veron corn

MARIANNE SCHAFFNER Dechert LLP

Paris

marianne.schaffner@dechert corn

DENIS SCHERTENLEIB Cabinet Schertenleib Paris ds©schertenleib-avocats corn

DARIUSZ SZLEPER Szleper Henry Avocats Paris

d.szleper©szleper-henry corn

GRÉGOIRE TRIET Gide Loyrette Nouel AARPI Paris triet @gide.com

PIERRE VÉRON* Véron & Associés Paris

pierre.veron @veron.com

EDITORIAL POLICY AND SELECTION CRITERIA NOMINEES HAVE BEEN SELECTED BASED UPON COMPREHENSIVE, INDEPENDENT SURVEY WORK WITH BOTH GENERAL COUNSEL

AND LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WORLDWIDE. ONLY SPECIALISTS WHO HAVE MET INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CRITERIA ARE LISTED