Beer, wine

and

Spirits.

The best possible protection starts with understanding: We know the legal challenges of the wine, beer and spirits industry in IP and IT law and have been successfully advising our clients in this area for many years.

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Wine, beer and spirits

The wine, beer and spirits industry is an essential part of the global luxury food industry. It encompasses the production, distribution and marketing of alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer and spirits. This industry is characterized by a rich tradition, continuous innovation and high competitive pressure. Companies are faced with the challenge of constantly improving their products in order to meet the increasing demands for quality, taste and sustainability. The value chain ranges from the procurement of raw materials and production to the distribution and marketing of alcoholic beverages, both offline and online.

As digitalization and globalization progress, many companies are shifting parts of their business processes to digital channels and expanding into international markets. This requires legal advice that takes into account not only national laws, but also international and cross-border issues. In addition, sustainability and environmental awareness are becoming increasingly important as consumers and regulators pay more attention to environmentally friendly production methods and transparent supply chains. Companies must therefore both comply with ecological standards and take into account the relevant legal framework conditions.

Alcoholic beverages are more than just consumer goods – they are an expression of culture, tradition and lifestyle. Only those who legally protect their trademarks, recipes and technologies will be able to compete in the long term.

As a stimulant, alcoholic beverages are an expression of culture, tradition and lifestyle. Only those who protect their trademarks legally and comply with regulatory requirements will be able to compete successfully in the long term.

IP and IT law for wine, beer and spirits

Die Alkoholbranche steht vor spezifischen Herausforderungen im Bereich des geistigen Eigentums (IP) und des Informationstechnologierechts (IT). Marken und Designs sind für viele Anbieter ebenso essentiell, wie der Schutz durch geschützte geografische Angaben, um sich gegen Nachahmungen, Trittbrettfahrer und Produktpiraterie zu wappnen. Gleichzeitig gewinnen digitale Vertriebswege, Online-Marketing z.B. in sozialen Medien und Datenschutz an Bedeutung, wobei insbesondere der Jugendschutz stets zu beachten ist. Eine fundierte rechtliche Beratung in den Bereichen IP- und IT-Recht ist daher unerlässlich, um rechtliche Risiken zu minimieren und Wettbewerbsvorteile zu sichern

Trademark protection in the alcohol industry

Building a strong trademark is of central importance for companies in the wine, beer and spirits industry in order to stand out from the competition and promote customer loyalty. Not only word and figurative trademarks play an important role in this, but also three-dimensional trademarks such as bottle shapes or label designs. We support companies worldwide in the registration, administration and monitoring of trademarks and carry out similarity searches in advance to avoid conflicts with other rights holders. On behalf of our clients, we effectively enforce trademark rights against infringers or defend against trademark claims. In the fight against product piracy, we work together with the customs authorities to intercept illegal counterfeits at the border and prevent them from entering the market in the first place.

Designs and copyrights in the beverage sector

Das Designrecht schützt die äußere Gestaltung von Produkten. In der Alkoholbranche sind dies vor allem Flaschendesigns, Etiketten und Verpackungen. Mit einem eingetragenen Design- oder Geschmacksmusterrecht können Nachahmungen verhindert bzw. wirksam bekämpft werden. Wenn es sich um besonders kreative Designs handelt, können diese auch durch das Urheberrecht geschützt werden. Der Vorteil gegenüber dem Designrecht liegt vor allem in der längeren Schutzdauer. Wir unterstützen Unternehmen weltweit bei der Anmeldung, Verwaltung und Überwachung von Designs bzw. Geschmacksmustern und führen bei Bedarf im Vorfeld auch Recherchen zur Neuheit und Eigenart durch. Wir setzen Urheber- und Designrechte effektiv gegen Verletzer durch oder wehren entsprechende Ansprüche ab.

Competition law and labeling obligations

Im Bereich des Wettbewerbsrechts geht es zum einen um den Schutz vor unlauteren Praktiken von Mitbewerbern. Andererseits betrifft es die Einhaltung gesetzlicher Vorgaben, wie Informations- und Kennzeichnungspflichten insbesondere gegenüber Verbrauchern und Fragen des Jugendschutzes. Beispielsweise gelten seit dem 08.12.2023 in der Europäischen Union neue Kennzeichnungspflichten für Weine, die Angaben zu Inhaltsstoffen, Allergenen, Energie- und Nährwerten erfordern. Diese Neuerungen betreffen nicht nur die Flaschenetiketten selbst, sondern auch die Darstellungen in Online-Shops und Preislisten.

We support companies in the alcohol industry in the enforcement of and defense against competition law claims and advise them on compliance with food law regulations and labeling requirements.

IT law, e-commerce and data protection

Digitalization has also changed the wine, beer and spirits industry. Companies are increasingly selling their products online, using digital tools to address customers and relying on social media to generate reach. Accordingly, issues relating to IT law, e-commerce and data protection are also playing an increasingly important role here. We support companies with digitalization projects, the legally compliant design of online stores and the implementation of data protection regulations.

Our expertise – your advantage

Our many years of experience and specialization in IP and IT law enable us to develop tailor-made solutions for the specific requirements of the wine, beer and spirits industry. We support you from strategic advice through to the enforcement of your laws to ensure your long-term success in this dynamic market environment.