Trademarks

Our strategic advice also covers the protection of three-dimensional objects (such as products and their packaging), abstract colours and colour combinations, sound marks, position marks, and other new forms of trademark.

This means that, unless measures are taken early on to prevent this, conflicts further down the line may lead to expensive and time-consuming opposition, cancellation, or claims proceedings in a number of countries. One of our key tasks is therefore to help clients enter into an active and constructive dialogue with the opposite side right from the outset in order as quickly as possible to find a solution and settlement acceptable to both parties. In this way, the substantial costs associated with a protracted trademark conflict spanning a number of countries can often be avoided. We also provide extensive advice and support should clients wish to pursue the matter further. We represent clients before the German and European authorities and courts. Furthermore, while continuing to play a coordinating role, we ensure that our clients receive proper representation in proceedings outside the EU.

We help our clients develop and implement a robust long-term strategy for combating counterfeit goods. This requires both consistent execution and the most efficient use of (often limited) resources.

We are active in this area in Germany and elsewhere. Our work here includes asserting claims both in and out of court, as well as conducting UDRP and arbitration proceedings before the competent international bodies.    

It is of decisive importance when delivering advice and representing clients in these types of contract negotiations to have an in-depth knowledge of their trademark portfolios and their plans and goals.

At the same time, we offer Internet searches using search engines to uncover other conflict risks that cannot always be identified via traditional trademark searches. We can, of course, also provide these services for trade names, titles of works, and other IP rights.

This starts with the selection of the right trademark lawyers in the relevant countries. We view the identification of the best lawyers in a large number of jurisdictions as an ongoing process. We compare the performance of lawyers in the various jurisdictions and use every opportunity to get to know our foreign counterparts personally. We also ensure that the right lawyers are selected for the particular issue at hand, whether this involves general trademark administration or problems or trademark infringements that are more challenging. As a result, we are able to recommend firms that are both cost-effective and best-suited for the task at hand.