Patents, copyright, trade marks and trade secrets are often a company’s most valuable assets. We secure these rights, enforce them against competitors and defend you against third-party claims – out of court and before courts throughout Germany.
Six areas of intellectual property and competition law, plus media and IT law – one aim: to secure your rights effectively, whether you are taking action or defending yourself.
A team of lawyers focused on intellectual property. We work closely together and develop solutions tailored to each matter – for clients throughout Germany and abroad.
“If you hold an IP right, you need to be able to enforce it – and if you are attacked, you need a clear defence.”
Our lawyers advise clients from across Germany and abroad in every area of intellectual property: patents, copyright and trade marks, unfair competition and antitrust, trade secrets and designs. Alongside the legal position, we keep your commercial interests firmly in view.
“I give you practical, solution-focused advice tailored to your interests.” – Laura Weckwerth
Whether we are enforcing your rights or defending you against a warning letter, a preliminary injunction or a lawsuit, we know both sides of the proceedings. We draw on that knowledge from the very first assessment, so that you understand your prospects and risks early on – and whether a settlement or court action makes more sense.
“Unfair competition law governs how companies compete. Antitrust law makes sure they can compete at all.”
German unfair competition law (UWG) deals with market conduct: misleading advertising, imitations, aggressive commercial practices. Antitrust law under the German Act against Restraints of Competition (GWB) and EU law protects market structure – against agreements between competitors and the abuse of market power. We combine both perspectives: we act against unfair conduct, draft distribution and licence agreements with antitrust rules in mind and defend you if you are accused of an infringement.
We have filed trade marks with the DPMA, the EUIPO and internationally for companies of every size – and defended many of them against later challenges.
Trade marksShortly after the firm was founded, it won the PMN Management Award 2019 in the Newcomer of the Year category.
About us (in German)The firm began as a spin-off from an international law firm. We bring that background and international experience to a specialised practice.
Meet the team (in German)94 articles and case notes since 2008, mainly in German law journals – on trade marks, copyright, imitations and advertising.
Publications (in German)Whether we take action on your behalf or defend you, what counts is the outcome for your business. A few examples from our IP practice.
Since 2008, we have published 94 articles and case notes in GRUR, GRUR-Prax, WRP and other journals. On our blog, we discuss recent decisions on trade marks, copyright and competition law. Both are available in German.
Answers to questions that companies and creatives often ask us at the start of a matter. Your specific case still deserves its own review.
For a German trade mark filed electronically, the DPMA charges an official fee of €290, which covers up to three classes of goods and services; each further class costs €100. An EU trade mark at the EUIPO costs €850 for one class, €50 for the second and €150 for each class from the third onwards. Our fees come on top; we confirm them with you before any work begins.
Stay calm, but keep an eye on the deadline. The cease-and-desist declaration drafted by the other side often goes further than the law requires and, in case of doubt, binds you indefinitely – so have it reviewed before you sign. We check whether the allegations hold up, whether the costs claimed are correct and whether a narrower declaration will do or the warning letter can be rejected.
Depending on the case, we rely on trade marks, registered or unregistered designs, copyright or protection against imitation under the German Unfair Competition Act (UWG). Speed matters: if you want a preliminary injunction, you must act promptly once you learn of the infringement, otherwise the courts no longer treat the matter as urgent. Secure evidence early, such as photos, receipts and screenshots.
Both protect technical inventions that are new and inventive. A patent is examined by the DPMA and lasts up to 20 years; it can also be granted for processes. A utility model is registered without substantive examination, so it is available quickly and lasts up to ten years, but it does not cover processes. A combination often makes sense: the utility model for swift enforcement, the patent for long-term protection.
For businesses, we offer the initial consultation at a fixed price of €299 plus VAT; for consumers, the price is €355.81 including VAT. We review your documents and show you the options for how to proceed. If more work is needed, you receive a quote in advance.
Yes. The firm is based in Hamburg and acts for clients from all over Germany and from abroad, in German and in English. We appear before the DPMA and the EUIPO, before the specialist chambers of the German regional courts for trade marks, designs and unfair competition and, where necessary, before the European courts. Meetings can take place at our office, by phone or by video call.
Slopek Intellectual Property is located at Zippelhaus 6, 20457 Hamburg, a few minutes’ walk from the Meßberg underground station. From Hamburg, we act for clients throughout Germany; meetings take place in person, by phone or by video call. Your first point of contact is Rechtsanwalt Dr. David Slopek, LL.M., Certified Specialist in Intellectual Property Law (Fachanwalt für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz).
As early as possible – ideally before launching a product or brand on the German market, so that clearance searches and filings are in place. Once a dispute has arisen, time is short: a German warning letter usually sets a deadline of a few days, and preliminary injunctions in IP matters are only available if the rights holder acts quickly. A German IP lawyer can represent you before the DPMA, the EUIPO and the regional courts with specialist IP chambers.
Yes. Under Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, rights holders can file an application for action with customs, which then detains suspected counterfeits at the border. We prepare the application, respond to detention notices within the short deadlines and pursue the matter against importers and sellers, including claims for injunction, information and damages.
Under the German Employee Inventions Act (ArbnErfG), the employee must report a service invention to the employer, who can claim it. If the employer does not release the invention in text form within four months of a proper report, the claim is deemed to have been made (Section 6 ArbnErfG). In return, the employee is entitled to reasonable remuneration. We advise employers on reporting processes and remuneration and assist with disputes.
