Trademarks and designs are very valuable and important assets of a company and their protection has become increasingly important during recent years. KRAUS & LEDERERs trademark and design team assists its clients in obtaining trademark and design protection, advises regarding the registrability of new trademarks as well as regarding filing and defense strategies for achieving the best possible protection for their trademarks and designs.

The KRAUS & LEDERERs trademarks and design team files German trademark and design applications at the German Patent and Trademark Office, trademark applications according to the Madrid agreement and according to the Protocol of the Madrid agreement with WIPO, and EU trademark and design applications with the EUIPO in Alicante. We also file national trademark and design applications in all countries that provide trademark protection. KRAUS & LEDERER represents its clients through all stages of the examination of the trademark or design and in all post registration matters, including, if necessary, in opposition and cancellation proceedings.

KRAUS & LEDERER advises its clients on how they can best enforce their trademark and design rights and how they can best defend themselves. KRAUS & LEDERER drafts and sends warning letters, requests declarations to cease and desist and send rebuttals to warning letters of third parties. We are prepared to handle trademark and design litigation cases at all courts in Germany, in all instances, together with experienced lawyers. We also represent clients in cancellation proceedings in the German Patent and Trademark Office, the German Federal Patent Court and – together with experienced lawyers – at the regular courts.

KRAUS & LEDERERs freedom to operate opinions prepared before filing may avoid conflicts with competitors right from the beginning and allow clients to focus on the commercial exploitation of the designs and brands.

We at KRAUS & LEDERER are well aware that settling trademark and design disputes in an amicable matter through negotiations may often be the most economical option. However, we are not afraid to enforce our client's rights or defend our clients against unjustified allegations in court or before the offices if required.