Lorenz Seidler Gossel

Firm overview:

Munich boutique Lorenz Seidler Gossel is a renowned litigation firm that has been advising top tier clients across the range of IP matters for over 60 years. A peer notes: “A great boutique IP firm, I like them. One of the established firms that has managed to keep the younger talents on board, they have been around forever.” For some, recent partner departures may herald upcoming wrinkles on junior lawyer retention. But others concur: “They are tough litigators and have some excellent lawyers.” A hallmark of the firm is its retention of top tier clients over many years, notably Adidas, among others.

The firm offers a full-service in all areas of trademark protection from the creation of a mark to registration and enforcement. On product piracy LSG works with customs authorities and detective agencies to enforce border confiscation procedures. LSG’s attorneys appear before the specialised boards of the district courts and courts of appeal. In proceedings before the Federal Court of Justice, they accompany clients in cooperation with colleagues licensed to practice there. In international infringement proceedings, the firm coordinates the enforcement strategy and cooperation with partner firms.

Leaning into its reputation for robust dispute resolution, LSG promises to secure the respect clients’ trademarks “deserve” with “our legendary aggressive stratagems”. Adding: “We go easy on your resources, but not your competitors”. Peers attest to difficulties of being on the other side from LSG. “They are very good lawyers but they are not easy to work with,” says one. Others suggest negotiations can be challenging: “It can be hard to negotiate with a firm after a robust exchange. It is not always good to go to court.” Another commentator muses that the firm’s client retention suggests clients are happy with the results.

Team overview:

LSG’s attorneys are admitted to the Federal Patent Court, the Court of First Instance and the European Court of Justice and coordinates global applications through partner firms abroad. Christian Rassmann, is a leading attorney at the firm and is “highly recommended for trademark litigation”. With a clientele including several DAX-listed companies and global market leaders, Rassmann litigates, mediates and arbitrates in the trademark and trade dress infringement, anti-counterfeiting, unfair competition, false advertising, trademark dilution, copyright and Internet-related matters. He also takes care of the entire lifecycle of trademarks and designs, from strategic planning to conducting filing, opposition and cancellation proceedings (German PTO, German Federal Patent Court, EUIPO, CFI, ECJ).

Key matters:

• Lorenz Seidler Gossel successfully represented Gabor Shoes Aktiengesellschaft in Garbo&Friends (Word) vs.Gabor (Word), an opposition to Swedish entity Garbo & Friends’s European Union trade mark application No 18 730 000 for Class 25: (Clothing; footwear; shoes; headgear). The opposition was based on, inter alia, EUTM registration No 10 920 023, ‘Gabor’ (word mark). The opponent invoked Article 8(1)(b) EUTMR.
• The Opposition Division of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) upheld the opposition for the contested goods stating: “Considering all the above, there is a likelihood of confusion at least on the part of the examined part of the public. A likelihood of confusion for only part of the relevant public of the European Union is sufficient to reject the contested application.” The applicant bore the costs, fixed at EUR 620.

Clients:

Adidas, Gabor Shoes, Hangzhou YingShiTong Technology, Iridium Media Group, Liebherr-MCCtec, Munich RE, Medline Industries, OmniVision, PATRIZIA SE, Pinoma Holding, Stolz, Street One MEN, Surftown, Synchron Australia Pty