GTC

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS (GTC)  

§ 1 Scope of Application  

1. These General Terms and Conditions apply to all mandates between the law firm and entrepreneurs within the meaning of § 14 German Civil Code (BGB). Consumers within the meaning of § 13 BGB are generally not represented.  
2. These conditions apply to all current and future mandates, even if no express reference is made to them again.  
3. Deviating terms of the client shall not apply unless expressly acknowledged in writing.  
4. If, in an individual case, a consumer is represented, Part VI of these GTC shall apply additionally.  

PART I – INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY / INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  

§ 2 Scope of Activity in the Field of Intellectual Property  

The law firm provides comprehensive advice and representation in the field of national, European and international industrial property rights and other IP rights, in particular with regard to:  

• Trademarks (word marks, figurative marks, combined word/figurative marks, 3D marks, color marks, EU trademarks, IR trademarks)  
• Patents  
• Utility models  
• Designs  
• Copyrights  
• Related rights  
• Know-how and trade secret protection  
• Domain rights  
• License rights  
• Competition-related protective positions  
• IT and software-related IP rights  
• Database rights  
• AI-related IP issues  
• Semiconductor protection rights  
• Plant variety rights  
• Other technical and non-technical intellectual property rights worldwide  

§ 3 Representation before Authorities and Filing Procedures  

1. Upon separate instruction, the law firm assumes representation before national and international offices and authorities, in particular:  
• German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA)  
• European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)  
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)  
• European Patent Office (EPO)  
• Foreign patent and trademark offices  
2. Representation includes in particular:  
• Drafting and filing applications  
• Conducting examination proceedings  
• Responding to office actions  
• Opposition and cancellation proceedings  
• Renewal and recordal proceedings  
• Priority and deadline management  
3. Representation before authorities is always subject to fees. Remuneration is based:  
• on an individual fee agreement, or  
• on time spent, or  
• at least on the German Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (RVG), where applicable.  
4. Official fees, publication fees, renewal fees and fees of foreign associate counsel shall be borne separately by the client.  
5. In international proceedings, the engagement of foreign associate counsel is permissible and necessary. Such engagement shall be made in the name and on behalf of the client. Foreign counsel act in the name of the client. Their remuneration shall be borne by the client.  

§ 4 IP Searches and IP Monitoring  

1. The law firm offers evaluation of IP searches and monitoring services, in particular:  
• IP searches of all kinds (prior art, FTO, opposition, etc.)  
• Identity and similarity searches  
• Clearance searches  
• Trademark monitoring  
• Design monitoring  
• Patent monitoring  
• Domain monitoring  
• Competition monitoring  
• Market and infringement monitoring  
2. Monitoring services are generally provided as ongoing mandates against continuous remuneration.  
3. Searches and monitoring may be carried out by external search providers.  
4. No warranty is given for completeness, accuracy or timeliness.  
5. Liability of the firm or commissioned search providers for database gaps, register delays or international publication delays is excluded.  
6. IP applications involve risks such as:  
• Oppositions  
• Cancellation actions  
• Invalidity proceedings  
• Infringement attacks  
• Cease-and-desist letters  

These risks remain with the client.  

PART II – GENERAL LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION  

§ 5 Scope of Legal Services  

The law firm provides advice and representation nationally and internationally, in particular in the following areas:  

• Entire field of industrial property law  
• Unfair competition law (UWG)  
• IT law and data protection law  
• National and international contract law  
• Commercial and corporate law  
• M&A  
• Distribution law  
• Licensing law  
• Media law  
• General and international business law  
• General civil law  
• General and special administrative law  
• Criminal law (in exceptional cases)  
• Litigation before state courts  
• Arbitration proceedings  
• Administrative proceedings  
• International enforcement  

Engagement is always mandate-specific.  

§ 6 Client’s Duties of Cooperation  

1. The client is obliged to provide all information necessary for the mandate completely, truthfully and in a timely manner.  
2. The law firm may rely on the accuracy, completeness and legality of the information provided.  
3. There is no obligation to conduct independent fact-finding investigations.  
4. The client must promptly review documents prepared by the firm for accuracy.  
5. Economic evaluations or strategic decisions are solely the responsibility of the client.  
6. Deadlines missed due to delayed cooperation fall within the client’s responsibility.  

PART III – REMUNERATION  

§ 7 Fees  

1. Billing is generally based on time spent.  
2. In the absence of a fee agreement, billing shall be at least in accordance with the German Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (RVG).  
3. Flat fees, retainer agreements and project-based remuneration are possible.  
4. All prices are net plus statutory VAT.  
5. Third-party costs, expenses, official fees, court costs, travel expenses and costs of external service providers shall be borne additionally by the client.  

PART IV – LIABILITY  

§ 8 Basis of Liability  

1. The law firm is liable without limitation in cases of:  
• o Intent  
• o Gross negligence  
• o Injury to life, body or health  
2. In cases of slight negligence, liability exists only for breach of essential contractual obligations (cardinal duties).  
3. No liability exists for:  
• Economic decisions of the client  
• Entrepreneurial risks  
• Market developments  
• Refusal of IP rights  
• Acts of third parties  
• Developments in foreign law  
• Non-registration or cancellation of IP rights  
• Oppositions/objections by third parties  
• International legal changes  
• Entrepreneurial misjudgments  
• Market or technology risks  
• Acts of third parties or authorities  
• Lost business opportunities  

§ 9 Limitation of Liability  

1. Liability for damage caused by slight negligence is limited per mandate to the statutory minimum insurance coverage pursuant to § 51 BRAO.  
2. Any higher liability requires a separate written agreement.  
3. The limitation of liability also applies in favor of:  
• Employed lawyers  
• Freelance collaborators  
• Cooperation partners  
• Correspondent lawyers  
• External service providers  
4. Liability is limited to the typically foreseeable damage.  
5. Multiple breaches of duty shall be considered a single liability event.  
6. To the extent legally permissible, liability for slightly negligent breaches of duty is excluded unless a cardinal duty is affected.  
7. Liability for indirect damages, loss of profit, production downtime or consequential damages is excluded to the extent legally permissible.  
8. In particular excluded are:  
• Loss of profit  
• Production downtime  
• Reputational damage  
• Consequential damages  
• Contractual penalties and those of third parties  
• Financing damages  

PART V – FINAL PROVISIONS  

§ 10 Communication  

Electronic communication takes place at the client’s risk unless encryption has been agreed.  

§ 11 Jurisdiction and Applicable Law  

1. German law shall apply exclusively.  
2. Place of jurisdiction – where permissible – is Hanover.  
3. The law firm is entitled to bring actions at other statutory places of jurisdiction.  

§ 12 Severability Clause  

Should any provision be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a legally permissible provision that most closely reflects the economic purpose.  

PART VI – SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR CONSUMERS (EXCEPTIONAL CASES)  

§ 13 Applicability  

1. If a consumer is exceptionally represented, the above provisions shall apply accordingly to the extent legally permissible.  
2. Mandatory consumer protection provisions remain unaffected.  

§ 14 Liability Towards Consumers  

1. The limitation of liability does not apply insofar as mandatory consumer law provides otherwise.  
2. In cases of slight negligence, liability exists only for breach of essential contractual obligations.  
3. Liability is limited to the foreseeable, typical contractual damage.  
4. Unlimited liability exists in cases of intent, gross negligence and injury to life, body or health.  

§ 15 Right of Withdrawal  

If a distance contract with a consumer is concluded, a separate withdrawal notice will be provided.  

§ 16 Jurisdiction  

With respect to consumers, the statutory places of jurisdiction apply.  

§ 17 Applicable Law  

German law shall apply, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), to the extent permissible.  

§ 18 Severability Clause  

Should any provision be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.