Ideas have value.

I have worked with intellectual property law from the very beginning of my career as a Rechtsanwalt – and before. I advise and represent clients out of court and before the courts.

Trade marks, texts, photos, designs, software, know-how: anyone who has created or built something often has rights in it. But these rights only take effect when they are used. I put your rights to work: enforcing, licensing, defending them. And I represent you if you are accused of infringing the rights of others.

What intellectual property covers

Intellectual property means rights in intangible goods: above all copyright, trade mark law, patents and utility models, registered designs and the protection of know-how and trade secrets. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) includes all rights “resulting from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary or artistic fields”.

Topics

Trade mark filing – strategy, searches and filing in Germany, the EU and internationally.
Trade mark infringement – cease-and-desist letters, injunctions and damages; defence against allegations of infringing another’s trade mark.
Office proceedings – oppositions and cancellations before the German Patent and Trade Mark Office and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Delimitation and coexistence agreements – when similar signs are to exist side by side.
Copyright – rights in texts, photos, graphics, software and designs; clearing and granting rights of use.
Cease-and-desist letters for copyright infringement – for example over images on the internet or file sharing.
Licence agreements – for trade marks, copyrights, software and know-how.
Registered designs – protection of the appearance of products.
Know-how and trade secrets – non-disclosure agreements and the protective measures required by law.
Rights in work results – who owns the works created by employees, freelancers and agencies.
Company names and domains – rights in business names, names and domains.
Artificial intelligence – rights in AI-generated content and the use of protected works for AI.
Patents and utility models – in cooperation with patent attorneys.
Product piracy – action against counterfeits, also with the help of customs.

You have received a cease-and-desist letter

Cease-and-desist letters are sent over photos, texts, trade marks and other intellectual property rights. They usually set a short deadline and contain a pre-drafted declaration to cease and desist. I examine whether the allegation is correct and the sender actually holds the rights, whether the amounts demanded are reasonable, and what a declaration could look like that ends the matter without binding you more than necessary.

Typical issues

Often the question is

whether a trade mark should be registered and, if so, as a German, an EU or an international trade mark,
whether, in a cease-and-desist letter over a photo or text, the sender actually holds the rights and the claim is reasonable,
who owns the rights in software, texts or designs created by employees, freelancers or agencies,
whether AI-generated content is protected and whether protected works may be used for AI.

How to get started

Send me the cease-and-desist letter, your trade mark or a short description by e-mail. With cease-and-desist letters and in trade mark proceedings, deadlines are what count, so please get in touch as early as possible. You can write to me in English or German. Procedure and fees, including for the initial contact, are set out under Services and fees.

Related services: Unfair competition law (advertising, imitation, cease-and-desist letters between competitors), IT law (software, domains), Media law (statements, right to one’s own image).