HARTE-BAVENDAMM offers specialized legal services in intellectual property and unfair competition law, catering to innovative enterprises not just within Germany, but across the globe.
At Home in Hamburg, Globally Committed
Operating from our office in a borough in the heart of the City of Hamburg known as “HafenCity”, we maintain a global outlook and vigilantly oversee the broader context. As economic activities transcend national boundaries, legal considerations follow suit.
In a landmark decision (judgment of October 4, 2024, C-438/23, ECLI:EU:C:2024:826), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (the Regulation) must be interpreted as meaning that Member States cannot generally prohibit the labelling of plant-based foods with terms commonly used for meat products, as long as no “legal name” has been established by the Member State concerned.
Dr. Michael Goldmann has been recognized as Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year at the Legal 500 Germany Awards, which were held for the second time on 21 February 2025.
As expected from the course of the oral proceedings, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) rejected copyright protection for the well-known Birkenstock sandals. This ruling once again underscores that, in works of applied art, the decisive factor is how the remaining design freedom has been artistically utilized and the hurdles are not too low.
In Germany, the prohibition of infringing acts by means of a preliminary injunction is a very effective and probably unique instrument, at least in the EU, for the immediate enforcement of intellectual property rights. The most important procedural prerequisite for granting a preliminary injunction is "urgency". The requirements differ depending on the court district. This article highlights the key principles established by case law of the courts of Hamburg.
From the inception of a business idea, through its development and commercialisation, we offer strategic legal advice on IP law with respect to securing and enforcing intellectual property rights and the execution of development, licensing and distribution agreements.
Awards & Recognitions
For years, HARTE-BAVENDAMM has consistently been acknowledged as a premier German law firm specializing in trademark and unfair competition law, earning acclaim in numerous esteemed rankings such as Chambers, WTR 1000, The Legal 500, IP Stars and JUVE Handbuch.
