The Legal 500

Advising domestic and international companies, Gassauer-Fleissner Rechtsanwälte GmbH has ‘problem-solving capacities far above the market standard’, and ‘the value for money provided is high’. Its extensive practice spans non-contentious and contentious work, including patent and trade mark litigation; design, media and unfair competition litigation; and domain name and copyright matters. Max Mosing has ‘excellent knowledge’, and Barbara Kuchar ‘understands the needs of clients’.

Höhne, In der Maur & Partner Rechtsanwälte GmbH is known for its copyright law, unfair competition, and trade mark protection work, and also assists in areas such as image rights, name usage, and reputation management. Thomas Höhne is ‘a litigation expert, and capable of solving urgent matters within a very strict timeframe’.

Schoenherr is noted for its ‘innovation’, and ‘quality legal advice on the most complicated assignments’. It has a new technologies team working on social media, cloud computing, privacy and licensing matters, and also handles traditional trade mark, design, patent, copyright and unfair competition matters. It successfully represented Red Bull at the Austrian Supreme Court over the enforcement of the company’s colour mark against competitors ‘Run Cool’. Guido Kucsko, ‘a recognised legal expert’, continues to advise IT clients including Hewlett-Packard and Nokia on copyright levies applicable to media devices such as tablets and PCs.

Wiltschek Rechtsanwälte is a boutique practice which covers the traditional areas of IP law, and also advises on food and EC law matters. Lothar Wiltschek has many years’ experience in the field, and David Plasser and Katharina Majchrzak are also recommended.

Binder Grösswang Rechtsanwälte continues to advise the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in a dispute over the protection of its ‘Oscar’ trade mark; and represented Lionstar Enterprises in a trade mark dispute covering the EU and Switzerland. The firm is also active in efforts against product piracy for a range of luxury goods companies. Ivo Rungg and Hellmut Buchroithner are ‘both very fast in answering’, and have ‘very broad and strong legal knowledge’.

In 2012, CMS gained a number of clients in the luxury goods sector, notably Louis Vuitton, shoe manufacturer Camper, and L’Oréal. It was also active advising Sky on broadcasting law, signal piracy and other matters, including representation before the ECJ. The practice is ‘very practical’ and ‘affordable’, and has ‘good industry knowledge’. It is led by the ‘excellent’ Egon Engin-Deniz.

DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach was active representing academic clients such as the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, and Vienna University of Technology. Its work over the past year included trade mark enforcement, anti-counterfeiting actions, and labelling compliance reviews. Alexander Cizek and Sabine Fehringer are the two partners in the team.

Dorda Brugger Jordis’ IP practice is ‘one of the strongest in the market’, and is valued for its ‘realistic advice’ and ‘general service orientation’. It is advising InQnet in a criminal case against companies in the music and film industries, involving claims that it marketed software which enables copyright infringement. Axel Anderl is ‘the one to go to with bigger and tricky cases’.

Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is appreciated for its ‘responsiveness and appropriateness of advice’. It advises fashion house Sportalm on trade mark, design and unfair competition issues, in particular on EU anti-counterfeiting measures. Constantin Kletzer impresses with his ‘experience, and in-depth knowledge of Austrian and EU IP law’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is known for its transactional IP work and acts for a roster of international players such as Volvo Cars Austria, Nintendo of Europe, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. It represented Hutchison 3G Austria GmbH in proceedings against an Austrian competitor using an allegedly misleading advertising claim. Christof Pöchhacker gives ‘prompt answers’ and ‘good advice’.

Sattler & Schanda’s boutique practice continues to advise numerous clients in relation to trade mark matters, having focused on the area for over a decade, and also advises on copyright matters. Reinhard Schanda leads the team.

Schwarz Schönherr Rechtsanwälte OEG’s IP practice is led by Georg Schönherr, who is well known for advising international life sciences clients. It handles design and anti-piracy work alongside its core business in trade mark, copyright and patent matters.

TaylorWessing e|n|w|c Attorneys at Law assisted Teva Pharmaceuticals on patent issues, A1 Telekom Austria on unfair competition matters, and Fischer Sports GmbH in patent litigation against Kästle GmbH. The team’s ‘strength in depth is high’, and its ‘advice is especially useful’. Martin Prohaska-Marchried is head of department.

Wolf Theiss’ IP practice prides itself on its CEE capabilities. It represented Crocs Inc in a Romanian case relating to infringement of design rights; and also assisted the client in relation to counterfeit clogs sold in Austria. Among ‘a very broad range of experts’, Georg Kresbach is ‘outstanding’. Google, Novartis and Hugo Boss are also clients.

Brauneis Klauser Prändl Rechtsanwälte GmbH is noted for its ‘diverse professional knowledge’ as well as its ‘straight-to-the-point communication’. It acts for rights holders on product piracy and patent law matters, in areas including media and film. Martin Reinisch is ‘smart and knowledgeable’.

CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati ‘gets to the relevant points quickly’, and provides a well-rounded service. McDonald’s instructs the firm on Austrian IP matters. Irene Welser handles contentious work.

Andreas Zellhofer is the go-to partner at Eisenberger & Herzog for IP and IT matters. He acts for Immofinanz on trade mark, domain name and media law matters, and continues to advise Austrian Airlines on advertising.

Graf & Pitkowitz is active in trade mark disputes, and is known for defending international clients in infringement proceedings. Ferdinand Graf is the key figure.

Hasch & Partner Anwaltsgesellschaft mbH is notable for its expertise in areas such as preliminary injunctions, injunctive relief and house searches. Bernhard Steindl has CEE experience.

Herbst Kinsky Rechtsanwalte GmbH has a focus on drafting co-operation agreements, and licensing and marketing contracts. It also advises on property rights, and has a presence in the pharmaceutical sector. Philipp Kinsky is the contact.

Dr Michel Walter is a sole practitioner in the field, and is noted for his expertise in copyright issues.

Eversheds Austria currently manages around 50 patents, trade marks, designs and licences for shoe company Legero, and is regularly involved in registrations and objections. It also acts for Forever 21 across the EU.

Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH is active in media copyright law, and also advises on data protection. Arno Cichocki represents several publishing houses on IP matters.

Lansky, Ganzger & Partner Rechtsanwälte GmbH is noted for its media law work, acting for some of the largest companies in Austria. Gerald Ganzger leads the team, which is noted for its ‘professionalism and customer orientation’.

Boutique practice Mag Marcus Essl, LL.M., M.E.S is ‘exceptionally sound’, and gives ‘outstanding advice’. Clients include photographer Manfred Baumann.

Siemer-Siegl-Füreder & Partner, Rechtsanwälte is ‘very competent in IP litigation’, offers ‘reasonable hourly rates’ and ‘finds practical solutions to clients’ needs’. Reinhard Brunar advises on the full range of IP issues.

Windisch : Law Offices provides ‘a prompt and creative service’. Bettina Windisch-Altieri is advising the London-based Rights Agency (a collecting agency for performing artists) in an Austrian dispute over market dominance.