Career
Uwe is a seasoned trade mark lawyer and a partner in Bird & Bird's international IP practice group. He enjoys working on all aspects of the brand cycle, from clearance to litigation - ultimately it's all about strategy.
With trademarks everything is interconnected. You cannot do clearance searches if you have no understanding of how a court would view a potential conflict. Your chances in litigation depend very much on the specifications used for the application at the time of the brand launch. The better you know the trademark you are litigating, the better your chances.
He has been involved in a number of major brand launches. From airports and travel brands to TV channels, online shops and energy suppliers, many of these brands are now part of our lives. When advising clients, he always tries to be an enabler. That means providing practical guidance on the legal and factual risks, including what can be done to minimise them.
He also enjoys protecting brands, whatever their size, against infringement. It is important to identify the right disputes and avoid conflicts that are commercially irrelevant. He wants his clients to spend their budgets wisely. If an infringement is substantial and damaging to the brand, the budget must be there.
While he is happy to fight for his client's brand in the courtroom (including arbitration), if necessary all the way to the German Federal Court of Justice and the European Court of Justice, a better solution can often be found at the negotiating table. Over the years, he has been involved in highly complex settlements and co-existence agreements. These have often involved numerous disputes in different countries.
Finally, the aspect of his work he enjoys most is advising on strategy and implementing it with a great team of experts.
Personal
Studies:
• Legal studies at the University of Passau and University of Bonn
• Doctoral thesis in Attorney Advertising, University of Osnabrück
Admissions:
• Admitted to the German bar in 1998
