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 November 2025, the EUIPO Boards of Appeal published a case-law research report on the “Thomson Life doctrine” and the concept of an element’s “independent distinctive role” in composite trade marks. The report is not binding, but it is a useful attempt to bring order to an area of trade mark comparison that even the EU Courts have applied inconsistently.
From 2 August 2026, the labelling obligation under Article 50(4) of the EU AI Act applies – and it reaches practically anyone who uses generative AI professionally to create images, videos, or text. On 10 June 2026, the European Commission published the final Code of Practice on the labelling of AI-generated content. We explain when a label is required, what it must look like, and what risks arise if it is missing.
OLG Bamberg, final judgment of 18 March 2026, case no. 3 UKl 5/25 e | For the first time, a Higher Regional Court has held that the obligations relating to recommender systems and reporting procedures under the Digital Services Act are consumer-protective and can be enforced by consumer associations by way of an action for injunctive relief. In doing so, the Senate gives contour to indeterminate legal concepts governing the design of the de-personalisation option and of the formal notice-and-action procedure. We summarise the decision and provide guidance for practice.
The EUIPO saw no problem with OBELIX on goods such as firearms and explosives. Les Éditions Albert René did. In its judgment of 13 May 2026 in Case T-24/25, the General Court sided with the publisher — finding EUIPO's assessment of both reputation and the required link between the marks to be fundamentally flawed.
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.
