News

As in an earlier article in our series on the metaverse, we are addressing the topic of the distribu-tion of digital products. In this context, the question that inevitably arises is whether and how trademarks can be protected in the metaverse. As far as the application of trademark law is con-cerned, much is still unclear in this context. The principles developed to date by law and jurispru-dence can only be applied to a limited extent to this as yet relatively unknown field. The following article explains the extent to which trademark protection in the real world also applies in the virtual realm and what significance this has for the future trademark strategy of companies.

Read more

On 10 July 2023, the EU Commission decided that the EU-US Data Privacy Framework ("DPF") ensures an adequate level of protection for transfers of personal data from the EU and the EEA to the US. This will make it easier for companies to transfer data to the US, for example when using the services of US cloud providers, as complex risk assessments and supplementary measures will no longer be necessary.

Read more

Oppenhoff has appointed Marvin Rochner as partner and Moritz Schmitz as junior partner with effect from 1 July 2023.

Read more

It is not just in the automotive industry that commercial representative models or “agency models” are currently booming. More and more manufacturers - across the board - are changing the distribution of their products to commercial representatives or are planning to do so in the next few years. From the principal’s point of view, these models are very advantageous: they give the principal greater influence over the design and compliance of its distribution system as well as on the price level of its products and services, and enable greater proximity to the end customer.

Read more

As of July 12, 2023, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation ("FSR"), which has been eagerly awaited by M&A practitioners in particular, will largely take effect.

Read more

We continue our series of articles on the metaverse. This article contains further important aspects concerning the labour law challenges in the metaverse: What is the "diversity & inclusion" situation in the metaverse? And how should you deal with harassment and discrimination risks?

Read more

Oppenhoff has provided comprehensive legal and tax advice to the shareholders of Galileo Lebensmittel-Group on the company’s sale to Dr. August Oetker KG.

Read more

Since our last Newsletter, the draft law of the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs [Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales, BMAS] on the recording of working hours in Germany has become available. We had already presented the relevant details to you. Reactions from the political and business communities were not long in coming; most recently, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group voiced considerable criticism of the draft. It is expected that the draft law will undergo considerable amendments during the parliamentary procedure and that clear legal requirements for recording working hours will be even longer in coming. Naturally, we will report on this.

Read more

Algorithms and AI have become indispensable in the corporate world. Digital compliance is also becoming increasingly important. We understand this term to mean software-based compliance tools that support or potentially take over the "analogue" compliance work. In a multi-part series of articles, we highlight the advantages, risks and legal guard rails in the use of these compliance programs. In the first part, we offer you an introduction and overview of the exciting topic of "digital compliance". In the following articles, we will take a closer look at important individual aspects such as data protection and labor law issues.

Read more

The EU has adopted its 11th package of sanctions against Russia. The new package is primarily intended to counter circumvention of the restrictive measures already in place. After a reportedly heated debate, the EU has agreed on a new instrument to combat circumvention practices by prohibiting exports to third countries other than Russia. It has, however, not decided on any goods or countries concerned by this new prohibition yet. This new instrument is to be used only if other individual measures and contacts with the countries concerned have no effect. Most of the new provisions entered into force on 23, respectively 24 June 2023.

Read more

The European competition authorities and the EU Commission are taking account of the special circumstances of the Corona crisis. Here are the key points.

Read more

The German Federal Cartel Office [Bundeskartellamt] has given the go-ahead for the launch of the digital trading platform "Unamera". The platform is intended to facilitate trade in agricultural products (especially for grains and oilseeds) between agricultural traders and farmers as well as processors. However, certain structural conditions must be met.

Read more

In Germany, cases of the novel coronavirus have now been detected in 10 of the 16 federal states. Numerous companies are restricting or even suspending international business travel. Several events have been cancelled or postponed. At a machine manufacturer in southern Germany, because one of its employees is infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, all of the subsidiaries have now also been closed until Wednesday. In our Newsflash we have compiled the most important questions and answers for companies dealing with the spread of the virus.

Read more

On 7 February 2020, the District Court of Munich I has rejected the up to now most extensive civil damage claim concerning the truck cartel (reference 37 O 18934/17). The judgment has put a severe damper on the business model of the legal service provider Financialright.

Read more

Oppenhoff & Partner has provided comprehensive legal advice to the Munich-based private equity fund Family Trust Beteiligungsholding (FTI) on the acquisition of the Dietsch Polstermöbel Group based in Schmalkalden.

Read more

Oppenhoff & Partner has restructured its management as of 1 January 2020: a new Executive Board (EB) unites the previous Board of Partners and Management Committee.

Read more

With effect from 1 January 2020, Oppenhoff & Partner has included Marc Krischer, LL.M. (tax law), Dr. Christoph Niemeyer, Dr. Markus Rasner (corporate law/M&A), Dr. Axel Wenzel, LL.M. (corporate law/succession, wealth & foundations) and Dr. Alexander Willemsen (employment law) in its circle of shareholders. Dr. Hanna Schmidt (IT&C) was made junior partner. The career steps follow the lawyers' contributions to sustainable client success in important growth areas.

Read more

Oppenhoff & Partner has gained Dr. Gregor Seikel to further expand the corporate real estate and private clients practice groups. The corporate lawyer will be joining as a partner of Oppenhoff’s Frankfurt office on 1 January 2020.

Read more

Oppenhoff & Partner has advised K1 Immobilien GmbH on the sale of the Lifestyle Centre “K1 Karree” in Mannheim to H.I.G. Capital. With its construction volume of 11,500 m², the mixed-use commercial property is one of the largest inner-city construction projects of recent years in Mannheim.

Read more

The leading commercial law firm Oppenhoff continues to be highly recommended by in-house counsel in Germany. These are the findings of the study "Kanzleimonitor 2019/2020", which was conducted in over 800 legal departments. The participants made more than 8,000 recommendations, spread over 32 different fields of law.

Read more

Oppenhoff & Partner has advised Frankfurt-based private equity fund Finatem on its acquisition of the Food & Service Group, Mülheim a.d. Ruhr. Oppenhoff’s services comprised, inter alia, the legal and tax due diligence as well as the legal and tax structuring of the transaction.

Read more

Oppenhoff & Partner has been named Law Firm of the Year 2019 in the West at the JUVE Awards. With the annual awards, the editorial staff of the renowned industry publishing house honours commercial law firms that have attracted special attention as being particularly dynamic due to their client work and market position.

Read more

Oppenhoff & Partner has advised the CCE Group on the realisation of the 87 MWp solar park "La Huella" in northern Chile. Oppenhoff advised on the contracts for the construction, operation and maintenance of the solar park (EPC and O&M contracts) and supported the negotiations with the contractor via its Latin America Desk.

Read more

Industry 4.0, online contracts for insurance policyholders, recall risks for wearables or the management of rights via the blockchain. The Digital Academy offers legal and specialist departments training in concrete projects in the field of digitisation in personal meetings or interactive online sessions.

Read more

Oppenhoff & Partner prepares German country report for European Commission study.

Read more