Markus Mette
Biography
Overview
Markus specializes in intellectual property (IP) and information technology (IT) law with an emphasis on unfair competition, trade secrets, copyright, trademark and internet law. He is a member of the Firm's Global IP Group.
He has a successful track record litigating complex IP and IT cases in courts. A committed defender of his clients' interests, Markus provides insight and strategic acumen also to prevent cases from reaching the litigation stage. He advises and represents major German and international companies from various business sectors in particular technology, social media, consumer products and automotive.
Clients also benefit from his experience advising on IP rights portfolio and licensing agreements.
Markus is the Recruitment Partner of the Hamburg office and a visiting lecturer on trademark and domain name law at the Leibniz University Hanover (Germany).
Experience
A leading German consumer products manufacturer
Ongoing representation in trademark and unfair competition contentious matters as well as in software and IT related litigation.
A leading German car manufacturer
Representation of a leading German car manufacturer in out-of-court dispute with a tier 1 supplier over alleged trade secrets in relation to key components for an upcoming car model.
A leading global social media provider
Ongoing advice to a leading social media provider regarding its German website related disputes.
A leading global messenger communication provider
Ongoing strategic contentious advice to a leading global messenger communication provider.
A leading European software company
Representation in unfair competition litigation as well as in trademark litigation matters before the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
A leading Asian gaming hardware manufacturer
Representation in an open source related dispute as well in advertising litigation.
A leading US brand for gardening products
Representation in preliminary injunction proceedings that threaten seasonal sales of major product lines.
"Directors' personal liability for infringements of competition law by the company eased. Commentary on the decision of the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) of June 18, 2014 – I ZR 242/12 (Haftung der Geschäftsführer für Wettbewerbsverstöße der Gesellschaft entschärft. Kommentar zum Urteil des BGH vom 18. Juni 2014 – I ZR 242/12)", DB, Issue 32, Pages 1796-1797, 2014
"Test winner advertising in TV spot must be easily verifiable. Commentary on the decision of the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt a. M. of May 28, 2013 – 6 U 266/12 (Regional Court of Frankfurt a. M.) (Testsiegerwerbung im TV-Spot muss leicht nachprüfbar sein. Anmerkung zu OLG Frankfurt a. M., Urteil vom 28.05.2013 – 6 U 266/12 (LG Frankfurt a. M.))", GRUR Prax, Pages 321-322, 2013
"No personal liability for infringements of competition law by a GmbH. Commentary on the decision of the Higher Regional Court of Berlin (KG) of November 13, 2012 – 5 U 30/12 (Keine persönliche Haftung für Wettbewerbsverstöße der GmbH. Anmerkung zu KG, Urteil vom 13.11.2012 – 5 U 30/12)", GRUR Prax, Page 166, 2013
"Considerable closeness pertaining to branch of trade between specialized trade and cash and carry - METRO/ROLLER's Metro. Commentary on the decision of the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) of March 22, 2012 - I ZR 55/10 (Beträchtliche Branchennähe zwischen Fachhandel und Cash & Carry-Märkten – METRO/ROLLER's Metro. Anmerkung zu BGH, Urteil vom 22. März 2012 - I ZR 55/10)", GRUR Prax, Page 209, 2012
"Following a transfer of business, a derived authorization by the original manufacturer is a prerequisite for bearing the title 'OEM supplier'. Commentary on the decision of the German Higher Regional Court of Schleswig of October 6, 2011 – 6 U 3/09 ("OEM-Lieferant" ist nach Geschäftsübertragung nur, wer die Berechtigung vom Originalhersteller ableiten kann. Anmerkung zum OLG Schleswig, Urteil vom 6. Oktober 2011 – 6 U 3/09)", GRUR Prax, Page 44, 2012
Best Lawyer Germany in Intellectual Property Law, Handelsblatt 2020-2023
Highly Recommended Lawyer, Intellectual Property – Germany, The Legal 500 Germany 2019, 2020
