The Legal 500

Bird & Bird LLP’s team of ‘incredibly bright people’ had a successful 2010, adding household names, such as Peek & Cloppenburg, to the roster. The practice further managed to expand its activities for a leading cosmetics manufacturer, representing the client in a competition law dispute with a competitor, and deepened its relationships with 3M and Creative. Several public utility companies are new clients in the energy arena, particularly regarding competition matters. Wolfgang von Meibom, the ‘excellent’ Richard Dissmann, and the ‘dedicated’ Markus Körner, who ‘easily manages large international projects and reports back in a concise manner’, are recommended. Clients ‘truly feel in good hands during a difficult litigation’.

Harmsen Utescher ‘commands respect’ at German courts, and the team, including Matthias Wolter and ‘well established’ Michael Schaeffer, has a ‘fantastic reputation’. Highlights included representing Ferrero before national and international courts regarding the use of the terms “World Cup 2006”, “World Cup Germany”, „WM”, “WM 2006”, and “WM 2010” against governing body of football FIFA. It also defended Sipgate against unfair competition claims regarding the use of voice IP software for the iPhone, brought by T-Mobile in injunction proceedings. Clients appreciate the ‘extremely short response time’ and rate its service as ‘good value for money’.

The ‘incredibly professional’ team at Hogan Lovells International LLP managed to further enhance its international capabilities post- merger, and is now able to draw on strong US offices from its own network. The team represented Anheuser-Busch in a European trade mark litigation, and provided extensive advice regarding the protection and enforcement of colour trade marks to various clients. Recommended individuals include Andreas Bothe, Burkhart Goebel, and the ‘outstanding’ Matthias Koch. The team manages more than 80,000 trade marks in over 190 jurisdictions. A ‘truly impressive’ practice, say clients.

IP boutique Lorenz Seidler Gossel has maintained a ‘significant market presence’, mainly relying on its base of longstanding clients, such as Street One, Inlingua, adidas, and FIFA. ProSiebenSat.1 instructs the team for both portfolio management and in litigation. The team represented Willy Bogner in proceedings regarding the characteristic letter B as part of the trade mark. Reinhard Ingerl and Siegfried Jackermeier both have an excellent reputation as vehement defenders in court.

Baker & McKenzie’s well rounded team operates frequently at the interface of trade mark, copyright and patent law advice, with ‘superb’ Michael Fammler leading a group that has recently been able to attract a number of new trade mark portfolio clients. On the litigation and enforcement side, the team acted for Calvin Klein, The Body Shop, Corbis and Unilever. It acted for Accenture regarding a pending appeal procedure before the European Court against the registration of the word/device mark ACSENSA.

Boehmert & Boehmert has a number of high-profile clients, but with younger, up-and-coming partners recently becoming more visible, it is increasingly penetrating the mid-cap sector as well. Commerzbank instructs the team on a regular basis, and Mastercard, Viacom and Sanrio rely on the team for trade mark registration work. Michaela Huth-Dierig and Axel Nordemann are two of the names to note.

CMS Hasche Sigle can rely on its vast network of offices and its broad practice to ensure a steady work flow, and won new clients, such as Leifheit, which now entrusts its entire portfolio to the team. 1. FC Köln instructs the team on extending and expanding international trade mark protection, and the team represented StudiVZ against Facebook. Europcar, Fissler, Lacoste and Sony Deutschland are further clients of the team, which includes the renowned Winfried Bullinger, Matthias Eck and Gordian Hasselblatt.

Gleiss Lutz successfully secured trade mark protection for building society Schwäbisch Hall, and represented Daimler in invalidity proceedings regarding the infringement of a community design. Gubor, H&M and Volkswagen also rely on the team. Stefan Völker provides ‘timely and appropriate’ advice, and Stefan Weidert impresses with ‘extensive knowledge and experience’. ‘We tried others but always came back’, say clients.

Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & Schwanhäusser has a large base of clients relying on portfolio advice. The team, including the recommended Maximilian Kinkeldey recently made inroads into providing strategic advice to clients. The firm provides advice on trade mark registration matters for Coca-Cola, Kimberly-Clark, Fujijilm and Mövenpick. Highlights included representing a French luxury brand in trade mark and unfair competition matters, and advising a German luxury brand on its license and franchise strategy.

The highly respected team at boutique firm Jonas Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH does ‘a great job’, advising high-profile clients such as Deutsche Post on trade mark, design and unfair competition matters, regarding the trade mark DHL and colour mark yellow. Further instructions come from Ferrero, Viacom/MTV, Pfizer, Saatchi & Saatchi and John Deere. Kay Uwe Jonas, Nils Weber and Karl Hamacher are recommended.

Klaka Rechtsanwälte expanded, opening up a Düsseldorf office, and the team has been instructed in major cases such as representing BMW against China Automobile Deutschland because of design model infringement and unfair competition by marketing an imitation of BMW’s X 5. KfW instructs the team regularly on trade mark and domain disputes and regarding the strategy for its domain portfolio. HypoVereinsbank, Deichmann and ARQUES Industries are further clients. Despite being a small team, a large number of lawyers receive praise, among them Stefan Eck, Michael Nieder, Andreas Schulz and Ralf Hackbarth.

Taylor Wessing has been visible representing clients in contentious matters, acting for trade mark owner Audi in a case that went before the European Court of Justice. The team further advised American Airlines, C&A, Tom Tailor and health insurance TKK. Codello and Rosner instruct the team regarding unfair competition matters. Thomas Raab heads a team that impresses with ‘short response times’, representing ‘value for money’. Further singled out for praise is Olaf Gillert.

White & Case LLP is mainly known for ‘trade mark guru’ Christian Rohnke, who ‘knows his stuff’. The team is particularly visible on the litigation side, advising Audi on procedural and strategic issues, and representing Unilever on numerous trade mark and unfair competition law matters. Volkswagen receives ongoing advice and representation in numerous disputes concerning trade marks. Clients rate the advice provided as ‘very effective and to the point’. Martin Munz is recommended.

Bardehle Pagenberg counts a number of household names among its clients including Longchamp, which instructed the team in design protection litigation, L’Oréal, Eurosport, H&M and Ermenegildo Zegna. Nestlé instructs the team on trade mark registration matters. Claus Eckhartt and Jochen Pagenberg are recommended. The firm suffered a blow with the departure of the ‘impressive’ Dietrich Beier, who left to set up his own boutique firm.

Beiten Burkhardt’s Munich team, including Angelica von der Decken and Matthias Stecher, is visible in the market. Highlights included advising Sambonet Paderno on the IP aspects of acquiring Rosenthal, FIBA on the worldwide securitisation of its trade mark, and representing Hormocenta against a former license holder regarding trade mark and competition law issues.

Lichtenstein, Körner & Partner receives ongoing instructions from a solid client base of renowned names such as Porsche; the team providing trade mark portfolio and contentious advice. Polyconcept and Intel instruct the team in litigation, while Seeberger and Amazon are clients on the registration side. Carmen Lichtenstein and Thomas Sambuc, who displays ‘incredibly vast know how’, are recommended.

After the dissolution of Patzina Rechtsanwälte, ‘incredibly impressive litigator’ Andreas Bock set up his own firm Bock Legal, advising clients on product piracy matters (for client Tod’s) and in litigation. Gucci, Swatch and Vodafone D2 are further clients. The team provides ongoing advice to Bottega Veneta, Gianni Versace and Zwilling J A Henckels.

CBH Cornelius Bartenbach Haesemann & Partners’ practice is growing at steady pace, adding several trade mark portfolio clients to the roster. Design protection advice is another strength, with Schäfer Shop a client. In litigation, the team represented Haribo, PKV, Daimler and Obi, while Sunpoint instructs the team on trade mark administration matters. Nadja Siebertz is recognised.

FPS Rechtsanwälte & Notare has a strong footing in the luxury goods industry, and acts for high-profile clients such as Microsoft. The growing team advised Richemont on product piracy matters, a particular strength of the practice through Christoph Holzbach. Alllianz, Opodo, Symantec and SanofiAventis are further clients.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer acted on several highly complex transactions with interesting IP angles, including advising Otto Group on acquiring the brand portfolios of Quelle Austria and Quelle Switzerland. Further highlights included representing Amer Sports regarding the prohibition of selling its brand named products on internet auction platforms. The team provides ongoing advice to Mars Group, and to Wrigleys regarding trade mark and unfair competition matters. Andrea Lensing-Kramer is rated as ‘absolutely reliable’.

Harte-Bavendamm Rechtsanwälte’s growing team further strengthened its market position, with younger and up-and-coming lawyers, apart from name partner Henning Harte-Bavendamm and experienced Andrea Jaeger-Lenz, increasingly noted. DRK is a client in contentious and non-contentious matters. The team also advises Levi Strauss and Procter & Gamble, and represented TNT in various disputes against Deutsche Post. Nestlé is a new client.

Heisse Kursawe Eversheds has as a well-rounded practice following its merger with Hammonds LLP’s IP team. Clients include New Balance, EasyJet, Germanwings, Etienne Aigner and Hard Rock Café. Alexandra Bergmann and Axel Zimmermann, who is ‘straight to the point’ and gives ‘very commercial advice’ are recommended.

Hoffmann • Eitle maintains a large base of clients for trade mark registration, with Volvic, Alois Dallmayr, Minolta and Federal Mogul counting as clients. The team traditionally has a good reputation with clients from the US and Japan, and has gained visibility advising on contentious matters. Wedig von der Osten-Sacken is recommended.

Noerr LLP draws on its highly regarded media expertise, advising Michael Jackson’s will executor Europe-wide on related trade mark issues, and Ferrero regarding online advertising matters. Crocs and Sony Deutschland have been represented in litigation. Georg Jahn is singled out.

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte has a growing practice, with younger lawyers increasingly gaining market visibility and recognition. The team has a focus on advising media sector clients, including Eichborn, but also receives instructions from textile industry clients such as Skechers, and pharmaceutical clients including Novartis. Volkswagen instructed the team in a series of 30-40 trade mark infringement cases. Magnus Hirsch heads the team.

WilmerHale’s ‘team of seasoned experts’ attracts a significant amount of international work, exemplified in the work for Lindt & Sprüngli; the team manages the global portfolio and represents the client in disputes. Deutsche Kreditbank, DPG Deutsche Pfandsystem and Springer Science+Business Media are further clients of the team, with Reinhart Lange and Gesine Hild being singled out for praise.