Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte) takes a ‘proactive approach to tackling complex cases,’ pleading trademark, patent and unfair competition disputes before the Austrian Supreme Court, the EUIPO and ECJ. Outside of the courtroom, the practice assists clients with the registration and ongoing management of their IP, including overseeing licensing agreements and IP transfers. A tripartite team of Michael Woller, an expert in both trademark, patent and false advertising litigation, Christian Schumacher, whose contentious trademarks practice covers inter alia colour and single letter marks, and Dominik Hofmarcher, whose workload encompasses unfair competition, trade secrets and trademark matters, heads the team.
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Profile

Profile

Work Department

Intellectual property & technology practice group

Position

Partner

Career

Michael Woller is with Schoenherr since 2008. As partner and co-head of the intellectual property & technology practice he specialises in the full range of intellectual property law with a focus on patents, trademarks and unfair competition, handling both, litigation and non-contentious matters. Michael is heavily involved in cross-border matters, particularly in the CEE region, and assists clients in handling large international trademark portfolios. He is tech-savvy and active in patent litigation and non-contentious (e.g. employee inventor remuneration) matters. He graduated from the University of Vienna (Mag. iur., 2006 and Dr. iur., 2010) and the Danube University Krems (LL.M., 2009, MBA, 2009). Prior to joining Schoenherr, Michael worked in the Austrian marketing communications department of a global IT player. Michael holds a teaching position for international and European trademark law at the University of Vienna/Austria. Furthermore, he is editor of the IP and competition law section of the well-known Austrian business law journal ecolex and regularly writes for law journals, contributes to standard commentaries and co-authors books in the IP and technology fields. He is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), the European Community Trademark Association (ECTA), Austrian delegate in the ICC Global Intellectual Property Commission as well as trusted advisor and member of the Judicial Board of the Austrian Branded Good Association (Markenartikelverband).

Languages

German, English

Memberships

European Community Trademark Association (ECTA) International Technology Law Association (ITechLaw) International Trademark Association (INTA) Austrian Association of the Branded Goods Industry, Judicial Board International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)

Education

University of Vienna, Vienna/Austria (Dr. iur. 2010)
University of Alicante, Alicante/Spain (Magister Lvcentinvs Community Trademark Special Module 2009)
Danube University Krems, Krems/Austria (LL.M. 2009)
Danube University Krems, Krems/Austria (MBA 2009)
University of Vienna, Vienna/Austria (Mag. iur. 2006)

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They have been supporting us for years with the highest level of professional expertise and industry knowledge.’

  • ‘Competent, flexible and quick in responding to our wishes and inquiries.’

  • ‘What sets Schönherr apart is the team's deep understanding of national and international trademark law, coupled with their proactive approach to tackling complex cases.’

  • ‘Christian Schumacher is one of the leading trademark attorneys in Austria. He has an in-depth knowledge of trademark law, in particular on non-traditional trademarks. His advice is quick, reliable and leaves no open questions. Dominik Hofmarcher is another outstanding trademark practitioner. He is a very strong and experienced litigator with a wealth of knowledge.’

  • ‘The firm's IP practice is outstanding in terms of quality of legal services. Their output is not only to the point, but they also deliver the required guidance beyond legal advice. We especially like their communication skills and their problem-solving attitude. ’

  • ‘Michael Woller and Dominik Hofmarcher stand out as excellent IP lawyers, who lead their field. They both have qualities that are unparalleled on the Austrian market.’

  • ‘Outstanding expertise, very good availability. This refers especially to Birgit Kapeller-Hirsch and Christian Schuhmacher.’

  • ‘Dominik Hofmarcher impresses through his cooperative and professionally competent manner. Questions are always dealt with to our complete satisfaction, promptly and competently. His professional knowledge is outstanding, even in the most unusual legal cases, and he always has solutions ready, even for the most difficult situations.’

Key clients

  • A-Nobis Sektkellerei
  • Albertina
  • Allianz
  • Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität
  • Arineo
  • Astl & Mucki
  • Auer-Blaschke
  • BKS Bank
  • Brau Union Österreich AG
  • Chanel
  • Danone
  • Deutsche Telekom
  • derStandard
  • Dominic Thiem
  • EGLO Leuchten GmbH
  • Erste Bank
  • EUIPO
  • Fassbinderei Klaus Pauscha
  • Gallup International Association
  • Gasteiner
  • Grand Production
  • Institute of Science and Technology
  • Lallemand
  • Louis Vuitton Malletier
  • Mast-Jägermeister
  • Microsoft
  • OMV AG
  • Power Horse Energy Drinks
  • Schlumberger
  • S.Spitz
  • STAMAG Stadlauer Malzfabrik
  • Tehnoexport
  • Uber
  • UNIQA Insurance Group AG
  • voestalpine Böhler Welding Group
  • Sony

Work highlights

Obtained an EU-wide preliminary injunction confirmed by the Supreme Court against the imitation by a discount private label product on behalf of Mast-Jägermeister.
Represented Uber B.V. and Uber Austria GmbH in a series of disputes with Taxi 40100, litigated under the unfair competition regime.
Represented Tehnoexport before the EUIPO Cancellation Division and Boards of Appeals, seeking the cancellation of the opposing party's trademarks on the grounds of bad faith.