Food

and

Drink.

The best possible protection starts with understanding: we are familiar with the legal challenges of the food industry and have been successfully advising our clients in this area for many years.

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Food industry

The food industry is a dynamic and diverse economic field in which the correct labeling of food is of great importance not only for consumers, but also for the profitability and reputation of manufacturers. Food labeling is not only required by law, but also has a significant influence on consumer purchasing behavior. Transparent and informative labeling enables customers to make informed decisions and promotes trust in the trademark.

The fast pace of everyday life encourages the consumption of processed foods, which can have a negative impact on health and physical well-being. Against this backdrop, consumers are attaching increasing importance to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Transparent information on origin and ingredients is a decisive purchasing argument for many consumers. Companies that provide clear and reliable information can hold their own in a highly competitive market. In view of the increasing importance of health and sustainability, legally compliant food labeling plays a decisive role.

However, food is no longer just a consumer good. They are strongly influenced by trends and the media. Those who protect their products, recipes and technologies can make the most of their competitive advantages.

Know what’s inside: Food labeling is the basis for informed decisions and better traceability of the origin of products and their ingredients.

IP and IT law for foodstuffs

Die Lebensmittelbranche 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 abzusichern. Gleichzeitig gewinnen digitale Vertriebswege, Online-Marketing z.B. in sozialen Medien und Datenschutz an Bedeutung. Eine fundierte rechtliche Beratung in den Bereichen IP- und IT-Recht ist daher unerlässlich, um rechtliche Risiken zu minimieren und Wettbewerbsvorteile zu sichern

Trademarks in the food industry

Building a strong trademark is of central importance for companies in the food industry in order to stand out from the competition and promote customer loyalty. Not only word and figurative marks play an important role in this, but also three-dimensional trademarks such as bottle shapes, product packaging 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 food sector

Das Designrecht schützt die äußere Gestaltung von Produkten. In der Lebensmittelbranche sind dies vor allem Verpackungen, Flaschendesigns und Etiketten. 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. Neben nationalen gesetzlichen Vorgaben bestehen auch in der Europäischen Union strenge Kennzeichnungspflichten für Lebensmittel, die Angaben zu Inhaltsstoffen, Allergenen, Energie- und Nährwerten erfordern. Diese Regelungen betreffen nicht nur die Verpackungsetiketten, sondern auch die Darstellungen in Online-Shops und Preislisten.

We support companies in the food 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 food industry. Companies are increasingly selling their products online, using digital tools to address customers and relying on social media to generate reach. Accordingly, questions of 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 food 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.