{"id":136624,"date":"2026-04-08T12:45:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=136624"},"modified":"2026-04-08T12:45:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:45:21","slug":"germany-trademark-disputes","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/germany-trademark-disputes\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany: Trademark Disputes"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-136624","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-trademark-disputes","jurisdictions-germany"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">SZA Schilling, Zutt &amp; Ansch\u00fctz Rechtsanwalte AG<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2019\/03\/SZA_Logo.png\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">SZA Schilling, Zutt &amp; Ansch\u00fctz Rechtsanwalte AG<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2019\/03\/SZA_Logo.png\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Trademark Disputes laws and regulations applicable in Germany<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To represent a client before Court in respect of a potential trademark infringement matter, do you require a Power of Attorney \u2013 and if so, what are the execution formalities required by your courts?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>According to Section 140 Para. 1 of the German Trade Mark Act (Markengesetz or MarkenG), the regional courts (Landgerichte or LG) have exclusive jurisdiction, irrespective of the value in dispute, over all actions in which a claim from one of the legal relationships regulated under the German Trade Mark Act is asserted (disputes on signs), in particular for trademark infringements.<\/p>\n<p>Pursuant to Section 78 Para. 1 of the German Code of Civil Procedure (Zivilprozessordnung or ZPO), the parties to disputes before the regional courts must be represented by an attorney. The Power of Attorney must be filed in writing with the court. However, it can also be submitted retroactively; the court may set a time limit in this regard (Section 80 German Code of Civil Procedure). The Power of Attorney authorises the bearer to take all actions concerning the legal dispute in the proceedings (Section 81 German Code of Civil Procedure).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it a requirement in your jurisdiction to send a cease and desist letter to a potential infringer before commencing proceedings for infringement? What are the consequences for a trademark owner who chooses not to send a pre-action letter?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Germany, there is no legal requirement to send cease and desist letter to a potential infringer before filing an action. However, sending a cease and desist letter in advance may affect the court\u2019s decision on costs. Otherwise, if the defendant immediately acknowledges the claim, there is a risk that the claimant will have to bear the costs of the legal dispute even though they win the case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction, is there a risk that a pre-action letter could give rise to claim against the trademark owner for unjustified threats? What steps should a trademark owner take to ensure any cease and desist letter does not expose the trademark owner to any liability.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>To avoid potential legal action against the trademark owner in cases where an infringement is not clear-cut, the trademark owner may send an authorisation inquiry (Berechtigungsanfrage) to the (alleged) infringer. The purpose of an authorisation inquiry is to clarify the facts and thereby avoid the risk of counterclaims. In contrast to a warning letter, an authorisation inquiry simply asks the (alleged) infringer to explain why he believes to be entitled to use the respective right in question. It doesn\u2019t contain a request to cease and desist or a threat of further legal action in case of non-compliance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it mandatory for the parties to have attempted mediation or other alternative dispute resolution proceedings prior to commencing infringement proceedings? If so, what is the minimum expectation?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Germany, a mediation procedure is not a prerequisite for filing a lawsuit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are claims for trademark infringements heard before a general commercial Court or a specialist Court focused on Intellectual Property disputes? Are trademark infringement claims decided by a judge or by a jury?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In cases regarding potential trademark infringements, it is possible to bring the case before a chamber for commercial matters (Kammer f\u00fcr Handelssachen). Furthermore, in each German state, there are a limited number of regional courts specialised in trademark cases. A trademark owner is therefore required to check which regional court has jurisdiction over the alleged trademark infringement in the case in question.<\/p>\n<p>Under German law, juries do not exist. Trademark infringement claims are decided by legal judges alone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a time limit for commencing trademark infringement proceedings once the facts giving rise to the infringement are known to the trademark owner. After how long would such a claim be time-barred? What action would a trade mark owner have to know to give rise to such a claim being time-barred (for example, is it knowing that a mark in question is in use or is it knowing that a trade mark application has been filed and\/or registered?)<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>According to Section 195 of the German Civil Code (B\u00fcrgerliches Gesetzbuch or BGB), claims are generally time-barred after three years. This also applies to claims arising under trademark law (Section 20 of the German Trade Mark Act). However, the defendant has to invoke the limitation period in court.<\/p>\n<p>The limitation period begins at the end of the year in which the claim arose and the trademark owner obtains knowledge of the circumstances giving rise to the claim and of the identity of the infringer or should have become aware of them without gross negligence (Section 199 Para. 1 of the German Civil Code).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction does the law protect unregistered trademarks of any kind, including by way of passing off, unfair competition or protection of trade dress. What are the criteria for their subsistence?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In general, trademark rights are obtained by registering a trademark in the register kept by, e.g., the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt or DPMA). However, trademark protection also arises from the use of a sign in trade in so far as the sign has acquired public recognition as a trademark within the affected trade circles. Furthermore, unregistered trademarks may also be protected if a trademark is constituting a well-known mark within the meaning of Article 6bis of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Paris Convention).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction will the Court hear claims for registered trademark infringement in parallel with claims for passing off,unfair competition, infringement of trade dress or other misleading advertising, or does a claimant need to bring such claims in a separate cause of action?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Germany, claims under trademark law can be brought alongside claims under the German Act against Unfair Competition (Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb or UWG) provided that the court has jurisdiction to hear both claims. The imitation of a trademark or the use of a similar sign with a risk of confusion constitutes both a trademark infringement under the German Trade Mark Act and an unfair act under the UWG.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction, do your Courts share jurisdiction with your Trade Mark Office, such that parties need to seek to seize the forum they prefer first in time, or does the Court take precedence and intervene to stay or transfer any live Registry proceedings (for example relating to invalidity or revocation of registered trade mark) which may overlap with an issued infringement claim and related counterclaim?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under German law, the courts share partial jurisdiction with the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) in trademark issues.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of earlier rights or the non-use by a trademark owner, the relevant party has the choice between filing an application for invalidity (Nichtigkeit) or revocation (Verfall) of a registered trademark with the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), bringing an action on the same subject matter before the ordinary courts or claiming it in infringement proceedings before the ordinary courts.<\/p>\n<p>The procedure before the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) and the legal action are of equal status and the applicant or plaintiff is free to choose between the procedures. However, an action before an ordinary court or an application to the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) is admissible only, if no other proceedings on the same subject matter are pending or have been concluded before the other authority.<\/p>\n<p>The courts have no precedence and cannot intervene to stay or transfer an ongoing case at the registry proceedings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Where the defendant has a counterclaim for invalidity or cancellation of the registered trademark being asserted against it (either on the basis of earlier rights or as a result of non-use by the trademark proprietor), does the counterclaim become part of the infringement action, so that both issues are heard by the same Court within a single action, with the Court making a determination at its conclusion, or are the validity issues bifurcated and heard in separate parallel proceedings? If in your jurisdiction validity issues are bifurcated, what are the practical consequences of this from a timing perspective? For example, does this mean that a Court will stay the infringement claim and proceed with the validity attack first to avoid finding a trademark infringed, only to have a separate Court find the trademark invalid at a later date?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In trademark infringement proceedings (heard by the regional courts (Landgerichte)), the defendant can claim the invalidity or cancellation of a registered trademark on the basis of prior rights or on the basis of non-use by the trademark owner in various ways.<\/p>\n<p>On the one hand, the invalidity or cancellation of a trademark one the basis of relative grounds for refusal, i.e. due to earlier rights of third parties or the non-use by the trademark owner, can be raised as a defence or as a counterclaim in the infringement proceeding.<\/p>\n<p>In this case, both issues are heard by the same court within a single action, with the court making a judgment at its conclusion.<\/p>\n<p>If, on the other hand, a corresponding cancellation or invalidity procedure is pending before the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), an application for suspension of the infringement proceeding may be necessary pursuant to Section 148 of the German Code of Civil Procedure. The regional court will then stay the infringement proceeding until the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) has ruled on the validity of the trademark in question.<\/p>\n<p>The bifurcation can lead to significant delays in resolving the overall dispute. The infringement proceedings is paused until the validity of the trademark is determined, which can take considerable time, especially if the decision is appealed.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the temporal consequences of splitting the validity or cancellation issues and dealing with them in separate parallel proceedings cannot be determined in advance and depend largely on the circumstances of the individual case. In any case, the infringement proceeding will only continue after a decision on the validity of the trademark in question is made by the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction, does a defendant have a defence of using a mark honestly and concurrently available to them?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>German jurisdiction does not generally recognize a defence of honest and concurrent use. The German trademark system is based on the registration principle (Eintragungsprinzip), and prior use alone does not create a right to continue using a mark that conflicts with a later-registered trademark.<\/p>\n<p>Limited exceptions are available: A trademark owner may lose the right to enforce their rights against a younger mark if they have tolerated the use for five consecutive years while having knowledge of it, unless the younger mark was applied for in bad faith (Section 21 Para. 1 of the German Trade Mark Act). Marks may also be used in specific circumstances (names and addresses, descriptive indications) regardless of registration or prior use (Section 23 of the German Trade Mark Act). The exhaustion doctrine (Ersch\u00f6pfungsprinzip) allows continued use of goods that have been put into circulation by the trademark owner or with their consent (Section 24 of the German Trade Mark Act).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">When considering the validity of a registered trade mark, does the Court consider whether the trade mark has been registered in bad faith? If so, what actions would indicate this bad faith?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Trademarks are excluded from registration if they have been registered in bad faith (Section 8 Para. 2 No. 14 of the German Trade Mark Act). Registration in bad faith also serves as a ground for invalidation of already registered trademarks (Section 50 Para. 1 of the German Trade Mark Act).<\/p>\n<p>Actions indicating bad faith include but are not limited to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Registration with the primary intention of preventing third parties from using the mark or selling the mark to the highest bidder.<\/li>\n<li>Registration in knowledge of a third party&#8217;s prior use or established rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">If the main objective in commencing infringement proceedings is to secure an injunction, is a claimant required to state how much their claim is worth at the point their claim is issued?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Both in regular proceedings and in interim proceedings, the claimant is obliged to state a value in dispute.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it possible to seek a preliminary injunction in your jurisdiction? If so, what is the criteria a trademark owner needs to establish and is there a bond or other undertaking in damages payable to compensate the defendant if the Court finds no infringement following a substantive hearing?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Preliminary injunction proceedings are possible in Germany. The trademark owner may file for a preliminary injunction against the (alleged) infringer if i) the trademark infringement is likely and ii) the prerequisite of urgency is met. The latter generally requires that the action for a preliminary injunction is brought within one month of the trademark owner becoming aware of the potential infringement. In trademark infringement cases, there is a legal presumption of urgency.<\/p>\n<p>A preliminary injunction may be filed even without sending a cease-and-desist letter first (see Question 2). However, in cases where a warning letter has previously been issued, it is more likely that the court will issue the preliminary injunction without an oral hearing.<\/p>\n<p>In Germany, there is no legal requirement to post a bond. If there is no infringement, the applicant is required to bear the costs of the proceedings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is a licensee (whether exclusive or non-exclusive) of a registered trademark entitled to commence proceedings for trademark infringement? Does the trademark proprietor need to be joined as a party to the proceedings, and does it have an effect whether the licensee is registered before the local Trademark Registry?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In general, the trademark owner is entitled to commence proceedings for trademark infringement. However, pursuant to Section 30 Para. 3 of the German Trade Mark Act, a licensee may also file proceedings for trademark infringement with the consent of the trademark owner. In the event of an exclusive licence, the licensee may initiate proceedings for trademark infringement, if the trademark owner does not himself bring proceedings for trademark infringement within an appropriate period after being formally requested to do so.<\/p>\n<p>Pursuant to Section 30 Para. 6 of the German Trade Mark Act, it is possible to request the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) to enter the grant of a licence in the register. The latter serves to facilitate evidence. In the aforementioned cases, the existence of a licence can be proven by submitting an extract from the register.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Where the claim for trademark infringement is premised on similarity between the defendant\u2019s mark and the trademark owner\u2019s registered mark, does the proprietor need to demonstrate that confusion has occurred or simply that there is a risk of confusion? What is the minimum standard required to secure a finding of infringement?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Pursuant to Section 14 Para. 1 of the German Trade Mark Act, the trademark owner has the exclusive right to use the trademark with respect to the goods and services for which the trademark is registered. This includes the right of the trademark owner to prevent third parties from using identical or similar signs for identical or similar goods and services leading to a likelihood of confusion among consumers (Section 14 Para. 2 No. 2 of the German Trade Mark Act).<\/p>\n<p>Thus, the trademark owner needs to demonstrate that there is a likelihood of confusion. To determine a trademark infringement based on the likelihood of confusion between the trademark and a potentially infringing sign, the following steps must be undertaken:<\/p>\n<p>First, the degree of distinctiveness of the sign must be evaluated. Secondly, a comparison of the goods and services for which the respective signs seek protection must be carried out. Finally, an overall assessment of the competing signs must be conducted, focusing on their phonetic, conceptual, and\/or visual similarities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction is it possible to rely on post-sale confusion as a means of securing a finding of trade mark infringement?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Trademark infringement can be established through the risk of confusion that occurs after the sale of the marked product. However, the infringing mark must be used in a way that affects the trade mark&#8217;s functions, particularly its origin function.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction what type of disclosure or discovery is typically ordered by the Court in respect of trademark infringement actions from both parties?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>German law does not generally provide for disclosure or discovery. However, the defendant may be ordered by the court to disclose specific information to the claimant as part of the infringement claim.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What type of expert evidence is permitted by the Court in your jurisdiction? Does the Court accept consumer surveys and are there specific rules about how consumer surveys are conducted. Do the parties need to request prior permission from the Court to adduce survey evidence?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>According to the German Code of Civil Procedure, the parties are permitted to file expert opinions and\/or consumer surveys to the court as evidence. Prior permission from the court is not required for this. However, the court will consider them as part of a parties\u2019 submissions only. Accordingly, the court may still request an expert statement or commission its own survey.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Does evidence submitted by your client in trademark infringement proceedings have to be accompanied with a statement of truth or other similar declaration?  Which party is typically responsible for signing the statement of truth (or similar), the entity itself or the entity's representatives?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under German law, there is no requirement for evidence comparable to a statement of truth. According to the German Code of Civil Procedure, the parties have the obligation to tell the truth. However, in preliminary injunction proceedings, statements made to the court are to be affirmed in lieu of an oath.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction is it possible for a claimant to seek summary judgment and\/or strike out of an infringement claim? What are the legal criteria for a Court to grant summary judgment?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under German law, there is no possibility for a claimant to seek summary judgment of an infringement claim.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How long does it typically take to reach judgment in a trademark infringement action from issue of the claim, through to first instance decision? What is the lower and upper range of legal costs for such an action?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The length of first instance proceedings in trademark law cases cannot be determined in general terms and depends largely on the circumstances of the individual case. However, a rough guess would be nine to twelve months.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, there is no general limit on the costs of first instance proceedings. Court fees and lawyers\u2019 fees are mainly based on the amount in dispute of the proceeding, which can vary greatly from case to case. In addition, depending on the evidence required, there may also be additional costs for expert statements or other necessary evidence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Following a first instance decision, is it possible for either party to appeal the decision? What are the grounds upon which an appeal can be lodged? Is it necessary to request permission to appeal, or are appeals automatically permissible? If either party file an appeal, is the enforcement of the first instance decision stayed pending the outcome of the appeal?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Trademark proceedings before the civil courts follow the standard procedural rules as laid down in the German Code of Civil Procedure.<\/p>\n<p>Appeals against first instance decisions (Berufung) are generally conducted before the higher regional courts (Oberlandesgericht).<\/p>\n<p>An appeal is only admissible if the value of the subject matter of the appeal is greater than EUR 600 or if the court of first instance has granted leave to appeal.<\/p>\n<p>An appeal may be lodged by either party within one month of service of the final judgment. Within a further month, the appellant must submit a statement of grounds for appeal in which he explains why he considers the first instance decision to be erroneous and the significance of these errors for the judgment.<\/p>\n<p>The appeal can only be based on the fact that the decision made is based on an infringement of the law or facts and circumstances justifying a different decision (Section 513 of the German Code of Civil Procedure). The law is violated where a legal norm has not been applied at all or not properly (Section 546 of the German Code of Civil Procedure).<\/p>\n<p>On the first appellate level, a full review of the facts of the case and on points of law takes place. However, a statement of completely new facts compared to the first instance proceedings is only permitted subject to certain restrictions.<\/p>\n<p>If a judgment has been declared provisionally enforceable, enforcement of the judgment may begin even before the end of the appeal proceedings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">If the parties have been involved in a dispute before the local Trademark Office, what relevance does this have on later infringement proceedings? For example where trademark owner (A) may have already sought to oppose the registration of a third party (B\u2019s) mark in proceedings before the local Trade Mark Office, is the trademark owner estopped from seeking invalidity of a registered trade mark where its opposition failed where the invalidity action is based on the same grounds as the unsuccessful opposition?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>According to Section 55 Para. 1 of the German Trade Mark Act, an action for revocation or invalidity based on the existence of an earlier right is admissible before the ordinary courts only, if a corresponding application has not already been filed with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (<em>Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt or DPMA<\/em>) or if a decision has not already been ruled in respect of the same subject-matter of dispute.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your jurisdiction, does the Court consider both liability and quantum within the same proceeding, or will any damages be assessed after the Court has reached a decision on liability? How are damages for trademark infringement proceedings typically assessed in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under German law, the court considers both liability and quantum within the same proceeding. Monetary claims may be based on either a culpable infringement \u2013 i.e., intent or negligence \u2013 or on unjust enrichment.<\/p>\n<p>In German trademark law, but also in other fields of Intellectual Property law in Germany, three forms of damage calculation are recognised:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The actual damages suffered by the right-holder (including lost profits) may be claimed.<\/li>\n<li>The trademark owner has also the possibility to claim a payment of a reasonable licence fee (fiktive Lizensgeb\u00fchr).<\/li>\n<li>The trademark owner may claim the surrender of the profits generated by the infringer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In addition to an injunction and damages, what other remedies are available in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>If the event of an intentional trademark infringement, the trademark owner is entitled to injunctive relief, destruction of the counterfeits or bootlegs, damages and information about the origin of the infringing products. There are no specific remedies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Following a decision on the merits, is the winner entitled to recover all or a portion of its legal costs incurred in bringing or defending the proceedings. If legal costs are recoverable, what is the procedure involved and how does the Court assess the level of legal costs which should be reimbursed by the losing party.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>With the exception of higher costs due to fee arrangements with attorneys, the losing party is ultimately obliged to reimburse the prevailing party\u2019s cost. This includes all costs of litigation, including court fees, expenses and the statutory amount of the lawyer\u2019s fees of both parties according to the German Lawyers\u2019 Fees Act (Rechtsanwaltsverg\u00fctungsgesetz or RVG).<\/p>\n<p>Judgments usually contain a decision on the obligation to bear the costs. Based on this decision, the winner must apply for the determination of costs. Subsequently, the court determines the specific costs to be reimbursed by means of a cost determination order (Kostenfestsetzungsbeschluss).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Once the Court has issued a judgment, how long typically does the losing party have to comply with the Court\u2019s judgment including any final injunction issued? What are the consequences for failing to comply and how would the winning party seek enforcement of its judgement.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Germany, once a court has issued a judgment, the losing party is typically required to comply with the judgment immediately upon its issuance or after the deadline for appeal has expired. However, the specific timeframe for compliance can vary depending on the nature of the judgment and any specific instructions provided by the court. In the case of preliminary injunction, if the losing party does not sign a final settlement declaration, the preliminary injunction remains effective and the losing party must comply with it. However, the losing party could in this case (i) file an objection to the preliminary injunction (there is no time limit for this) and there would then be a court hearing to determine whether or not the preliminary injunction was rightly granted and (ii) the losing party could file for an order requiring the winning party to initiate ordinary proceedings against the losing party regarding the subject matter of the injunction (also no time limit for such request).<\/p>\n<p>If the losing party fails to comply with the court\u2019s judgment, the court may impose fines or other monetary penalties on the non-complying party.<\/p>\n<p>The winning party has several possibilities to enforce the judgment, including obtaining a writ of execution, engaging a court bailiff and request an order to freeze the losing party\u2019s bank accounts or other assets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">4306<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/136624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}