Devices and Components

Real technical understanding & global reach & leading the way & bright sparks & simplifying the complex & creative solutions & that’s Devices and components with Bird & Bird

A truly international firm & organised around our clients & passion and insight & connecting with our clients’ vision & commercial advantage & where service matters & that’s Bird & Bird

Overview

Bird & Bird has advised businesses with a focus on Devices and Components for over a century and our international experts currently advise many of the world’s leading technology companies on strategic, high-value and complex issues.

With a strong multi-jurisdictional capability, Bird & Bird is well placed to support the leading international companies at the forefront of developments in devices and components. Our extensive sector experience, alongside our expertise in intellectual property, communications and technology law allows us quickly to cut to the core of our clients’ problems and to develop the best solution for each client. Key areas of focus include:

3D printing
Industry 4.0/robotics
Internet of Things
Smart networks and cities
Trade secrets and export control
Wearable tech

Our global team of specialists use their deep industry knowledge to advise a significant number of long-term clients on all elements of the devices and components lifecycle, in particular:

Design
Disputes and claims
Distribution and monetisation
Product Compliance & Liability
IP and corporate transactions
Manufacturing (including licensing, import/export, know-how and joint ventures)

We also provide crucial regulatory advice in support of all the aforementioned elements, providing our clients with the essential tools to respond to compliance, data protection and competition laws.

Contacts

Ted Chwu

Partner
China and Hong Kong

Call me on: +852 2248 6000

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Dr. Fabian Niemann

Partner
Germany

Call me on: +49 (0)69 74222 6000

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Ronald Hendrikx

Partner
UK

Call me on: +44 (0)20 7415 6000

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Recent highlights of work

Acting for LG Electronics in various patent litigation matters across Europe, including Dutch patent litigation regarding FRAND licenses on Blu-ray technology and coordinating pan-European patent litigation
Advising Microsoft on various matters, especially in the context of its ongoing international dispute with Motorola Mobility, providing strategic advice on the use of the German and UK courts and successfully defending Microsoft in the UK courts
Advising Lenovo on its acquisition of Medion, the first public takeover by a Chinese company in Germany
Acting for Nokia in patent litigation against IPCom in Germany, the UK and Italy and against HTC in Germany and the UK and in arbitration and patent litigation against RIM.
Work for a large distributor of electrical and electronic equipment including acting as a “virtual general counsel” and advising on a series of technology-related acquisitions and disposals in China, Hong Kong and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Advising an international hardware manufacturer on disputes with the German Federal Networks Agency over alleged violations of the German Electromagnetic Compatibility Act.
Advising a major technology company on its copyright levies dispute with a large collecting society before the CJEU and representing the PC industry via the German ITC association BITKOM in the master proceedings regarding PC copyright levies.
Advising a leading multinational consumer electronics and software company on the strategic trade mark portfolio management of all of its house marks and derived trade marks in Hong Kong.

Accolades

"I would always choose them first over any other firm because they strike an excellent balance between advising on the law while being commercially practical at the same time."

Chambers UK 2016
Bird & Bird’s clients values the team’s ‘pronounced expertise’ in cross-border matters. It advised two well-known companies on cloud computing matters and also regularly acts for industry-leading players such as Lexmark and Western Digital.

Legal 500 EMEA (Germany) 2016
Substantial practice with well-established IP credentials, especially accomplished in managing complex cross-border patent litigation. Hong Kong-based Ted Chwu concentrates on complex cross-border IP litigation, including high-profile patent infringement cases.

Chambers Asia Pacific 2016
"Greatly respected for its prowess on transactional and contentious work in China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Represents clients in high-stakes patent infringements, as well as trade mark protection and portfolio management. Additionally known for its solid offering in Japan. "Their legal advice is very clear and so easy to understand, and very practical as well."

Chambers Asia Pacific 2015
"Has notably strong offices in key countries such as the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium and France, and has made headway into smaller jurisdictions such as Slovakia. Assisted Nokia with gaining a patent and technology collaboration settlement with HTC, ending a series of patent infringement cases concerning a 'non-essential' patent portfolio owned by Nokia."

Chambers Global 2015
"Universally respected practice advising blue-chip clients across the continent on high-profile contentious and transactional patent, copyright and trade mark matters. Also acts for businesses on IP aspects of brand management. Acting for Canon in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and France on a patent infringement case relating to toner cartridges used in laser printers."

Chambers Global 2015