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horak.
Attorneys at Law Hannover
Lawyers
Patent Attorneys
Georgstr. 48
30159 Hannover (Headquarter)
Germany
Fon +49 511.35 73 56-0
Fax +49 511.35 73 56-29
info@trademark-agents.de   
hannover@trademark-agents.de
 
horak.
Attorneys at Law Berlin
Lawyers
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Wittestraße 30 K
13509 Berlin
Germany
Fon +49 30.403 66 69-00
Fax +49 30.403 66 69-09
berlin@trademark-agents.de
 
horak.
Attorneys at Law Bielefeld
Lawyers
Patent Attorneys
Herforder Str. 69
33602 Bielefeld
Germany
Fon +49 521.43 06 06-60
Fax +49 521.43 06 06-69
bielefeld@trademark-agents.de
 
horak.
Attorneys at Law Bremen
Lawyers
Patent Attorneys
Parkallee 117
28209 Bremen
Germany
Fon +49 421.33 11 12-90
Fax +49 421.33 11 12-99
bremen@trademark-agents.de
 
horak.
Attorneys at Law Düsseldorf
Lawyers
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Grafenberger Allee 293
40237 Düsseldorf
Germany
Fon +49 211.97 26 95-00
Fax +49 211.97 26 95-09
duesseldorf@trademark-agents.de
 
horak.
Attorneys at Law Frankfurt/ Main
Lawyers
Patent Attorneys
Alfred-Herrhausen-Allee 3-5
65760 Frankfurt-Eschborn
Germany
Fon +49 69.380 79 74-20
Fax +49 69.380 79 74-29
frankfurt@trademark-agents.de
 
horak.
Attorneys at Law Hamburg
Lawyers
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Colonnaden 5
20354 Hamburg
Germany
Fon +49 40.882 15 83-10
Fax +49 40.882 15 83-19
hamburg@trademark-agents.de
 

horak.
Attorneys at Law LEIPZIG
Lawyers
Patent Attorneys

Friedrich-List-Platz 1
04103 Leipzig
Germany

Fon 0341.98 99 45-50
Fax 0341.98 99 45-59
leipzig@trademark-agents.de

 

horak. 
Attorneys at Law Munich
Lawyers
Patent Attorneys
Landsberger Str. 155
80687 Munich
Germany

Fon +49 89.250 07 90-50
Fax +49 89.250 07 90-59
munich@trademark-agents.de
 
horak.
Attorneys at Law Stuttgart
Lawyers
Patent Attorneys
Königstraße 80
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
Fon +49 711.99 58 55-90
Fax +49 711.99 58 55-99
stuttgart@trademark-agents.de
 

German Trademark Law

German trademark law (Markenrecht) is primarily governed by the German Trademark Act (MarkenG - Markengesetz) and is influenced by EU law and international treaties.


1. Legal Framework of German Trademark Law

a) National Legislation

  • German Trademark Act (Markengesetz, MarkenG): Governs trademark registration, protection, enforcement, and infringement in Germany.
  • Civil Code (BGB) & Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO): Relevant for claims and litigation procedures.
  • Unfair Competition Act (UWG - Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb): Protects against unfair practices, including misleading brand names.

b) European and International Treaties

  • European Union Trade Mark Regulation (EUTMR - (EU) 2017/1001): Allows registration of EU-wide trademarks.
  • Directive (EU) 2015/2436: Harmonizes national trademark laws across EU states.
  • Madrid Protocol (WIPO): Enables international trademark registrations.
  • Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property: Provides priority rights and protection against unfair competition.


2. Trademark Registration in Germany

a) Requirements for Trademark Protection

A trademark must be:

  1. Distinctive – Not purely descriptive (e.g., “Fresh Bread” for bakery).
  2. Non-generic – Cannot be a common industry term.
  3. Non-deceptive – Must not mislead consumers.
  4. Not contrary to public order – No offensive symbols or terms.
  5. Not identical/similar to earlier rights – To avoid confusion.

b) Registration Process at DPMA (Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt)

  1. Trademark Search(optional but recommended)

    • Conducted in DPMA, EUIPO, and WIPO databases.
    • Prevents conflicts with existing trademarks.
  2. Filing the Application

    • Online via DPMAregister or via postal form.
    • Fees: €290 (electronic filing), €300 (paper), plus €100 for each additional class beyond three.
  3. Examination

    • DPMA examines absolute grounds for refusal (e.g., distinctiveness).
    • No check for relative grounds (third parties must oppose if their rights are infringed).
  4. Publication & Opposition Period

    • After acceptance, the trademark is published in the Markenblatt (Trademark Gazette).
    • Opposition period: Three months.
  5. Registration & Duration

    • If no opposition succeeds, the trademark is registered.
    • Valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely.


3. Trademark Case Law and Legal Precedents

Several landmark German and EU court cases have shaped trademark law:

a) "POST" Case (BGH, I ZB 97/09)

  • Issue: Deutsche Post attempted to claim exclusive rights to "POST".
  • Ruling: The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruled "POST" to be too generic and not distinctive.
  • Significance: Descriptive terms cannot be monopolized.

b) "Sparkassen-Rot" Case (BGH I ZR 228/12)

  • Issue: German Savings Banks (Sparkassen) claimed trademark rights over the color red in banking services.
  • Ruling: The Federal Court (BGH) ruled that long-term use had created secondary meaning, granting protection.
  • Significance: Color marks can be protected if distinctive enough.

c) "Lindt Gold Bunny" Case (BGH I ZR 139/20)

  • Issue: Lindt & Sprüngli claimed trademark rights over the golden foil of their chocolate bunny.
  • Ruling: BGH ruled that the golden wrapping had acquired secondary meaning, granting protection.
  • Significance: Packaging elements can become trademarks through market recognition.


4. Trademark Infringement in Germany

a) Types of Trademark Infringement

  • Direct Infringement: Unauthorized use of an identical/similar mark for identical/similar goods.
  • Indirect Infringement: Aiding third parties in infringing use (e.g., selling counterfeit goods).
  • Dilution & Reputation Damage: Use that weakens a well-known brand (e.g., using "Coca-Cola" for non-related goods).

b) Consequences of Infringement

  • Cease and Desist Orders
  • Financial Compensation & Damages
  • Seizure & Destruction of Counterfeit Goods
  • Legal Costs & Attorney Fees
  • Criminal Prosecution (in severe counterfeiting cases)

c) Legal Remedies & Procedures

  1. Cease and Desist Letter (Abmahnung)

    • Sent by trademark owners before legal action.
    • Includes a penalized cease-and-desist declaration (Unterlassungserklärung).
  2. Opposition Proceedings (DPMA/EUIPO)

    • Filed within 3 months of registration.
    • If successful, the infringing trademark is removed.
  3. Injunction & Damages Claim (Civil Lawsuit – LG or OLG Courts)

    • Filed at Regional Courts (Landgerichte - LG) or Higher Regional Courts (OLG).
    • Plaintiff may seek damages and an injunction.
  4. Customs Seizure (Zollbeschlagnahme)

    • Trademark owners can request customs authorities to seize counterfeit goods entering Germany.
  5. Criminal Prosecution

    • Under §143 MarkenG, large-scale infringement can lead to fines or imprisonment.


5. Role of German Trademark Agents (Markenanwälte & IP Experts)

a) Pre-Filing Strategy & Risk Assessment

  • Trademark searches to avoid conflicts.
  • Advising on distinctiveness and registrability.

b) Trademark Registration

  • Filing applications with DPMA, EUIPO, WIPO.
  • Handling office actions & refusals.

c) Trademark Opposition & Cancellation

  • Defending clients’ marks against oppositions.
  • Filing cancellation actions for non-use or bad faith registrations.

d) Trademark Enforcement & Litigation

  • Sending cease-and-desist letters.
  • Negotiating settlements.
  • Representing clients in court proceedings.

e) Trademark Portfolio Management

  • Monitoring trademarks for infringement risks.
  • Handling renewals & assignments.


6. Conclusion

Germany provides a robust trademark protection system, with clear legal precedents, enforcement mechanisms, and litigation options. Trademark agents play a crucial role in advising, registering, and enforcing rights, ensuring brands are legally protected in an increasingly competitive market.

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