Craftsmen

and

Craft.

The best possible protection starts with understanding: We know the legal challenges facing German trades in IP and IT law and have been successfully advising our clients in this area for many years.

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The craft

Das Handwerk ist das Herzstück des deutschen Mittelstandes. Es umfasst eine Vielzahl von Betrieben – von Bauunternehmen, Elektrikern, Tischlern und Malern bis hin zu spezialisierten Betrieben wie Glasveredlern oder Orgelbauern. Handwerksbetriebe tragen maßgeblich zur regionalen Wertschöpfung bei, schaffen Arbeitsplätze und prägen das kulturelle und wirtschaftliche Leben in Deutschland. Gleichzeitig unterliegen sie einem besonderen rechtlichen Rahmen, der sowohl den Verbraucherschutz als auch die Qualität der erbrachten Leistungen sicherstellen soll. Dieser Rahmen bringt jedoch auch vielfältige Fragestellungen in den Bereichen Wettbewerbsrecht, Markenrecht, Designrecht, Urheberrecht, Patentrecht, E-Commerce, Datenschutz, IT-Recht und Know-How-Schutz mit sich – Themen, die für Handwerksunternehmen zunehmend an Bedeutung gewinnen.

Craftsmanship combines tradition with innovation – and in the digital age, strong legal backing is just as important as craftsmanship.

Economic significance and legal framework conditions in the skilled crafts sector

Skilled crafts businesses not only stand for traditional craftsmanship, but also for innovation and flexibility. The legally prescribed licensing and quality standards – for example through registration in the register of craftsmen and compulsory membership of chambers of crafts – ensure that only qualified companies provide their services. These measures protect the consumer, ensure professional competence and contribute to the sustainable development of the industry. At the same time, however, these regulations can also lead to conflicts if companies violate licensing requirements or make incorrect statements in advertising claims and online presences.

Competition law issues in the skilled crafts sector

Handwerksbetriebe sind oft Ziel von wettbewerbsrechtlichen Auseinandersetzungen und Abmahnungen – sei es durch unlautere Werbeaussagen, irreführende Preisangaben oder Verstöße gegen Zulassungspflichten. Auch wenn Handwerksunternehmen in der Regel regional agieren, präsentieren sich nahezu alle Handwerksunternehmen auch online einer bundesweiten oder internationalen Öffentlichkeit und sind so auch mehr im Fokus von Mitbewerbern und Wettbewerbsverbänden.

We support our clients in avoiding competition law problems at an early stage, successfully remedying infringements of competition law by competitors and fending off cease and desist letters from competitors so that our clients can concentrate fully on their core business.

Trademark law and design law – identity and differentiation

Protecting your own trademark and design also plays an important role in the craft sector. Whether it’s your company name, logo or unique product design – a strong trademark not only gives you a competitive advantage, but also secures your corporate identity. A strong trademark helps you to defend yourself against copycats and free riders and protect your own reputation, especially when it comes to your external image on the Internet.

We provide our clients with expert advice on trademark registration and support them in trademark and design law disputes. With tailor-made solutions, we help craft businesses to protect their corporate identity in the long term and to assert themselves in competition.

Strong trademarks in the trade sector are the hallmark of quality and innovation – they create trust and ensure long-term success.

Copyright, patent law and know-how protection

The protection of intellectual property is also crucial in creative and technically innovative trades, such as in the electrical trade or in the manufacture of special machines. Copyright and patent law safeguard your innovations and protect your technical developments from unauthorized use. Equally important is the protection of know-how, which protects your company’s internal knowledge – often built up over generations – from unauthorized access.

We advise our clients on patent protection and the enforcement of copyrights and on the development of effective protection strategies for business know-how. In this way, we ensure that our clients’ technical and creative achievements are optimally protected.

E-commerce, IT law and data protection in the skilled trades

Almost all craft businesses use the internet to present and market their products and services. However, operating a website or online store brings with it particular legal challenges. Data protection, imprint obligations, contract design and IT contracts must be carefully checked and implemented in order to avoid expensive cease and desist letters and legal disputes.

For example, a plumbing company that operates an online store in addition to its traditional on-site consulting services needs a legally compliant data protection concept and individual GTCs. We support our clients in designing their online presence and advise on all IT law issues – from drafting contracts to compliance with data protection regulations.

Our offer to the trade

Modern craftsmanship is much more than traditional manual work – it is a dynamic industry characterized by innovation and digital transformation. Craftspeople who deal intensively with IT law issues and the protection of their intellectual property lay the foundation for a future-proof corporate strategy. Through targeted legal advice and the use of modern technologies, skilled trades businesses can not only strengthen their market position, but also benefit from competitive advantages in the long term.

As specialists in IT and IP law, we are a competent partner for craft businesses and craft associations such as guilds. With our many years of experience and in-depth specialist knowledge, we develop tailor-made strategies that meet the needs of the skilled trades sector. We support you from preventive risk analysis through to the effective enforcement and defense of your laws – always with the aim of securing your entrepreneurial freedom and promoting your innovative strength.