Dear Reader,

The dynamics between German firms show little sign of slowing. Only a year and a half ago, the patent firm Bonabry was born of a spin-off from Preu Bohlig and now it has already lined up a merger. In January 2027, Bonabry will join forces with Hamburg patent attorney firm Hamm&Wittkopp — a move expected to bolster its standing in the pharma sector. At the same time, Pinsent Masons is making a determined return to the German patent litigation stage with two Vossius partners in Düsseldorf. And, Hoffmann Eitle poaches a patent attorney from Norton Rose Fulbright to broaden its reach in hi-tech, thus continuing its steady expansion.

The momentum is also reflected in the JUVE Awards Germany nominations: alongside established names such as Clifford Chance and df-mp, spin-off boutiques Ampersand and Bonabry have made the shortlist for Patent Law Firm of the Year — proof that the newcomers are making serious progress.

This week also saw a decision in the case of G1/25. The Enlarged Board of Appeal has finally resolved the long-running quarrel over whether patent descriptions must be adapted to amended claims. Its much-awaited answer is a nuanced yes: adaptation is required where a genuine inconsistency arises, but the EPC demands no purely formal tidying-up.