The main focus of Christof's work is patent litigation with particular expertise in the fields of electronics, pharmaceuticals and mechanical engineering. He also represents clients, alongside patent-attorneys, in parallel opposition and nullity proceedings before the European Patent Office, Federal Patent Court and Federal Supreme Court. Christof is well placed to advise clients on the new Unified Patent Court (UPC) - see further details at EIP Amar, our alliance created to support clients in any litigation before the UPC.
Before joining EIP, Christof worked in the patent litigation team of Bird & Bird LLP and Taylor Wessing, where he was appointed partner in 2015.
Christof holds a Law degree from the University of Constance and is a Certified Specialist in Intellectual Property Law (Fachanwalt für Gewerblichen Rechtsschutz). He speaks German and English.
Recent work
- Acting for Plaintiff in multinational electronics litigation.
- Acting for Plaintiff in comprehensive standard-essential patent litigation relating to connected cars. (link)
- Acting for Defendant in home electronics litigation.
- Acting for Plaintiff in comprehensive multinational electronics litigation relating to telecommunication patents. (link)
Published articles
- November 2022
Bloomsbury Collections, Contributor to the “Practitioners Guide to the UPC” (link) - June 2022
EIP Talks, The Unified Patent Court (UPC) – Keeping it Simple and Practical (link) - 10 September 2019
Lawyer Monthly, Striking A Balance: SPC Manufacturing Waiver (link) - 28 May 2019
Intellectual Property Magazine, Block by block (link) - March 2019
European Pharmaceutical Review, Compulsory licenses in Germany: a tool for licensing negotiations? (link) - 7 August 2018
Lawyer Monthly, Why is FRAND important for the automotive industry? (link) - 2018
IP Rechtsberater, Erfolgreicher Erschöpfungseinwand ohne Berücksichtigung der Verkehrsauffassung - 9 April 2018
Lawyer Monthly, The Driverless Race Is On: Patenting Autonomous Driving (link) - 2 January 2018
European Pharmaceutical Review, Pharma patent challenges for 2018 (link)
Education and qualifications
-
2015
Certified Specialist in Intellectual Property Law (Fachanwalt für Gewerblichen Rechtsschutz) -
2009
PhD in Law (Dr.iur), University of Düsseldorf -
2005 — 2007
Law clerkship, Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf -
2003
LL.M. (Intellectual Property Law), Nottingham-Trent-University -
1997 — 2002
Law Studies, University of Constance
Career history
- October 2017 — present
Attorney-at-law, EIP - March 2012 — September 2017
Attorney-at-law, Taylor Wessing - June 2007 — February 2012
Attorney-at-law, Bird & Bird - December 2003 — March 2005
Research assistant, Bird & Bird
Awards and recognition
- IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders 2024 (link)
- JUVE Patent 2023 Germany: Christof Höhne is "extremely pragmatic” (link)
- IAM Strategy 300: The World's Leading IP Strategists 2023 (link)
- IAM Patent 1000, 2023. 'The firm’s other leading light in Germany... His main focus is patent litigation, with particular expertise in the fields of electronics, pharmaceuticals and mechanical engineering.' (link)
- Ranked as a 'Patent Star', IP Stars 2023 (link)
- Recommended by Leaders League Germany – Best Law Firms for Patent Litigation 2023 (link)
- Shortlisted for "Germany Practitioner of the Year (Patent & Trademark Attorney Firms) " by Managing IP Awards EMEA 2023 (link)
- Legal 500 Germany 2023: Christof Höhne is 'A FRAND and SEP expert in a class of his own!' (link)
- JUVE Patent 2022 Germany - Recommended individuals: "absolute expert in FRAND issues" (link)
- IAM Patent 1000, 2022. Christof is “a careful advocate and a practical counsellor, with a deep understanding of cellular technology”. (link)
- IP Star 2022, Listed as 'Notable practitioner' (link)
- Shortlisted for "Practitioner of the Year (Patent & Trademark Attorney Firms) Germany" by Managing IP Awards 2022 (link)
- Legal 500 Deutschland Patent Litigation, 2022 (link)
- JUVE Patent 2021 Germany - Recommended individuals: “thoroughly versed in FRAND issues” (link)
- IAM Patent 1000, 2021 - Recommended (link)
- JUVE Patent 2020 Germany - Recommended individuals (link)
- IAM Patent 1000, 2020. Christof is "well versed in the intricacies of cross-border disputes" and "celebrated for his 'collaborative approach and ability to always provide creative, on-point advice.' " (link)
- IAM Patent 1000, 2019. "Christof Höhne possesses special expertise in electronics, pharmaceutical and mechanical engineering patent litigation. With experience of working in other top European outfits under his belt, his is the name to dial for well-measured multi-jurisdictional counsel." (link)
Languages spoken
- German
- English
Speaking engagements
- March 2023
EIP Sweden Launch, UPC in a nutshell - January 2022
American Bar Association Webinar, Anti-Suit Injunctions, Anti-Anti-Suit Injunctions, etc, in Extraterritorial Litigation - September 2019
MIP European Patent Forum, Paris 2019, Strategic considerations when planning and enforcing your international patents (link)