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From March 1 Patronus IP have merged with HGF

March 2019

The HGF team in Germany and Austria works across offices in Munich, Heidelberg and Salzburg led by Partners  Bernhard Ganahl, Jan Robert Naefe & Markus Zoller.

HGF is widely known across Europe for the expertise and quality of advice in intellectual property to its clients and its ability to provide inter geographical and interdisciplinary teams of attorneys to clients which meet their needs across

  • Patents and utility models
  • Trade marks
  • Designs
  • Plant Variety Rights
  • Oppositions and appeals

Working across the technical subjects of chemistry, electronics, engineering, material sciences and life sciences the German team has particular expertise in the respective industry sectors.

To learn more about our attorneys please click on the links below:

Bernhard Ganahl – Partner

Jan Robert Naefe – Partner

Dr Markus Zoller – Partner

Christian Himmler – European Patent Attorney

Rudolf Erhardt Sachs – European Patent Attorney

Julia Saladin – Attorney-at-Law

Dr Jens Kienitz – Trainee Patent Attorney

Latest updates

A New Era for AI Patents in the UK: Supreme Court Aligns with the EPO

The UK Supreme Court has handed down its long-awaited judgment in Emotional Perception AI Limited (EPAI) vs Comptroller General of Patents, a decision which serves to significantly change the way …

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Event - 23rd - 25th March 2026

HGF are Gold Sponsors of IPBC Europe 2026

HGF are proud sponsors of IPBC Europe 2026, taking place from 23-25 March 2026 at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse. Bringing together patent pioneers, in-house leaders and private practice specialists, IPBC …

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Event - 8th - 11th February 2026

AUTM Meeting 2026

We are attending the AUTM Annual Meeting from 8–11 February, a flagship event bringing together technology transfer professionals from across the globe. AUTM connects innovators, universities, and industry leaders to …

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The Antibody Series #5 | Epitope-defined antibody claims: when “binds to this epitope” becomes a risk of insufficiency

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews decisions made at the EPO; here, they reviewed an appeal in opposition proceedings after the revocation …

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The Deity Shoes case: a question of design activity and the constraints on a designer’s freedom

The footwear brand Deity Shoes sought to enforce their Community Design rights, both registered and unregistered, against Mundorama Confort and Stay Design. However, Mundorama Confort and Stay Design found fault …

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The Antibody Series #4 | pH points in antibody claims: when “same pH ” becomes an addition of matter

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews EPO decisions; in this case, they reviewed a revocation in opposition of a patent relating to …

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The Antibody Series #3 | Antibody code names in claims: why “ACZ885” is not sufficient to define the antibody

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews EPO decisions. In this case, they examined a claim that identified an antibody by an internal …

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Event - 3rd February 2026

HGF Brand & Design Conference 2026

Join us on 3rd February 2026 for HGF’s Brand & Design Conference, the must attend event for in-house legal teams, brand leaders, creatives, and innovators shaping the future of IP. …

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