Intellectual property · Technology · Disputes
IP and IT law.
Protect innovation.
Resolve disputes.
IP and IT lawyers for businesses, developers and rights holders. We advise on protection, contracts and enforcement in Germany and across borders.
German specialist lawyers and patent attorneys · Technical expertise · Hannover head office
16 ways we can help
From the first product idea to commercial use and dispute resolution. Select the issue that matters to your business.
01
Trade mark protection and disputes
A product launch, rebrand or expansion requires more than filing a trade mark. We assess registrability, earlier rights and the appropriate territorial strategy for German, EU and international protection.
02
Patents and utility models
Technical developments should be assessed for protection before disclosure. Our legal and technical work covers inventions, computer-implemented solutions and disputes over technical IP.
03
Design and product appearance protection
Product shapes, packaging, graphical interfaces and digital designs may qualify for separate protection. Representations, disclosure planning and the intended scope of protection are central.
04
Copyright, content and media
Text, photographs, films, music, graphics and software require a reliable chain of rights. We advise businesses on acquiring and licensing rights and on bringing or defending infringement claims.
05
Trade secrets and know-how
Source code, manufacturing processes and customer information need more than a confidential label. A trade secret programme should connect the information being protected with access controls and documented organisational measures.
06
Licensing and technology transfer
A licence should align commercial objectives with the permissions actually granted. We draft and negotiate agreements for trade marks, patents, designs, software, content and know-how, including cross-border exploitation.
07
IP strategy and due diligence
Investment, acquisitions and expansion depend on rights that are genuinely available to the business. We assess portfolios and chains of title and translate findings into transaction and integration measures.
08
Infringement, injunctions and disputes
Infringement allegations require a coordinated review of evidence, deadlines and business consequences. We act for rights holders and for businesses defending unfounded or excessive demands.
09
Software development and IT projects
IT projects often run into difficulty because scope and changes were not properly documented. We support customers and suppliers from specifications and project governance through acceptance and dispute resolution.
10
Cloud, SaaS and outsourcing
Cloud contracts need to work during outages, provider changes and termination. We assess scope, service levels, data access and supplier dependencies throughout the relationship.
11
Software licensing and open source
Licence terms must match actual use. We review proprietary and open-source models, group use, distribution and disputes arising from audits or alleged under-licensing.
12
Artificial intelligence and governance
AI projects involve contracts, copyright, data protection and regulatory duties. The starting point is the use case: who develops and deploys the system, what data it uses and which decisions it affects.
13
Data rights and privacy
Data projects need clear rules on access, use and responsibility. Personal data, machine-generated data and protected databases raise different legal questions that should be addressed together.
14
Cybersecurity and digital products
Security incidents require technical and legal decisions under time pressure. We support responsibility allocation, contractual safeguards, reporting assessments and claims against service providers.
15
Platforms, e-commerce and domains
Digital business models combine contracts, branding and platform regulation. We advise operators and business users on terms, advertising, domain conflicts and online infringements.
16
IT procurement and contract disputes
Public IT procurement and complex business projects need precise specifications and contracts. We support suppliers and customers through procurement, negotiations and performance disputes.
Legal specialisation. Technical understanding.
Our team brings together German specialist lawyers in intellectual property and copyright/media law, patent attorneys and expertise in technology and procurement. We coordinate related issues so that contracts, protection and enforcement fit together.
Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M.
German lawyer · Consulting engineer
Certified specialist in intellectual property law
Certified specialist in copyright and media law
Julia Ziegeler
German lawyer
Certified specialist in intellectual property law
Certified specialist in copyright and media law
How an engagement works
01 / Understand
We clarify objectives, documents, parties and deadlines.
02 / Assess
You receive options, priorities and an agreed scope and fee basis.
03 / Act
We negotiate, file applications or conduct proceedings and agree the next steps with you.
Current issues in 2026
EU design reform, AI transparency, cyber reporting and data access: practical implications for products, contracts and internal processes.
Across Germany. Connected internationally.
Hannover is our head office. Further locations: Berlin, Bielefeld, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt-Eschborn, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart. We advise in German and English and coordinate cross-border matters with the relevant local advisers where needed.