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Dr. Stefan Abel

Attorney-at-law (Germany), Partner

Profile

Dr. Stefan Abel, litigator and counsel, represents nationally and internationally active companies in all matters of trademark, design and copyright law, unfair competition matters, domain name disputes and licensing and distribution matters, out of court and in court. A particular focus of his practice concerns the development of counterfeit protection where registered intellectual property rights are not applicable. Stefan Abel’s clients include a well-known manufacturer of leather goods and major clients in the luxury goods and sports sector. He continuously represents since 15 years some of his most renowned clients in all matters concerning their intellectual property in Germany. Stefan Abel regularly serves as Panelist with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva, in domain name disputes and has repeatedly lectured at the Center for Intellectual Property Studies Institute (CEIPI), Strasbourg.

Languages: 
German, English, French

references

  • "Professional, collegial and open for goal-oriented solutions", Competitor - JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020/2021
  • "Stefan Abel's ability to handle all correspondence in German, English and also French is extremely helpful." - Legal 500 Germany 2020/2021
  • “Stefan Abel is very competent, efficient and cost-conscious ” - Legal 500 EMEA 2021
  • “Excellent thinker and easy-going lawyer who is fluent in several languages” - World Trademark Review 1000, 2021: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals
  • Best Lawyers in Germany (2021 Edition)
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Key Areas

  • Trademarks

    Trademarks

    Trademarks communicate the image of your products and are the voice of product marketing. Their value can quickly exceed the material value of a company. We support you in establishing and expanding your trademark portfolio, in monitoring it and in defending it vigorously. KLAKA helps with everything that makes up the "life" of a brand.

    More about Trademark Law

  • Designs

    Designs

    The protection of products and product parts by registered and unregistered designs has been of increasing importance for many years. It is an effective instrument against counterfeits. This applies to national designs as well as to designs protected within the EU, to the acquisition of design protection as well as to the enforcement of design rights, out of court and before the courts.

    More about design patent law

     

  • Unfair competition

    Unfair competition

    The global market is characterised by free trade. The rules of this international economic exchange are expressed in unfair competition law. Comparative or misleading advertising, product imitation, the headhunting of personnel or price dumping may result in unfair competition proceedings. This affects all sectors, from the automotive industry to financial services, from retailers to the internet trade, or from the pharmaceuticals industry to the increasingly deregulated energy supply market.

    More about unfair competition law

  • Selective distribution and parallel import

    Selective distribution and parallel import

    According to German case law and the case law of the European Union, selective distribution systems for high quality and luxury products are generally admissible. A selective distribution system allows, under certain conditions, the prevention of the distribution of original products on the grey market and in the discounter and low-price environment. The basis for this is trademark and competition law. We advise on the contractual design of selective distribution systems and enforce your rights against unauthorized distributors. 

    More about Selective distribution systems and parallel import

  • Domain names and IT

    Domain names and IT

    We register, manage and defend your domain names in UDRP proceedings and in court. We also defend your brand and company trademarks against identical domain names and against abusive domain applications and uses. We can here not only rely on our distinctive expertise in trademark law, but also on the experience and know-how of an arbitrator of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in UDRP proceedings who has been acting for many years.

    More about domain names and IT

Career

2013 Joined KLAKA, Partner since 2015
2002 - 2012 Lawyer and (as from 2006) partner of a German-French patent and law firm
1998 Admitted to the Bar
1996 Awarded "Dr. iur." (PhD degree in law) with a doctorate on international contract law
1993 - 1996 Research assistant at the Chair for German Law, Conflict of Laws and Comparative Law, Lausanne; research activities in the field of conflict of laws and comparative law at the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, Lausanne
1989 - 1993 Studies at the Universitites of Heidelberg and Konstanz

publications

  • Dr. Stefan Abel: Kommentar zu EuGH Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente, Urteil vom 6.12.2017, Ausschluss von Handelsplattformen in selektiven Vertriebssystemen, Betriebs-Berater 2017, 3025
  • Dr. Stefan Abel: Trademark Protection in Germany: the bar for apps is set higher, World Intellectual Property Review, 13. Oktober 2016
  • Dr. Stefan Abel: Composite EU trademarks: protection of non-distinctive elements, World Intellectual Property Review, 14. April 2016
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Conferences

  • Lookalikes and Unfair Competition
    International Trademark Association (INTA) – Annual Meeting 2020 – Table Topics
    Moderator: Dr. Stefan Abel
    Date: November 20, 2020
    Place: Videoconference
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Dr. Stefan Abel

Attorney-at-law (Germany), Partner