As head of the IP Trademark and Design group in Germany, Marc Groebl works primarily in the field of intellectual property law, focusing on "soft IP." He has extensive experience in prosecuting and litigating intellectual property law matters, including cross-border litigation. Marc renders strategic legal advice to large corporations regarding international trademark, unfair trade practices, copyright law, and internet domain portfolios.
Marc has represented many international companies in court and administrative proceedings and in settlement negotiations for some of the most prestigious brands in the world, including LVMH-Group, The Procter & Gamble Company, Wendy’s, and one of the best known U.S. fashion brands.
Specifically, Marc advised label powerhouse LVMH on numerous key trademark matters; he handled various complex EU design and trademark infringement matters for Procter & Gamble; and he worked to introduce one of the best known U.S. fashion brands as a new label in Germany.
Additionally, Marc represented Koninklijke KPN NV (Dutch telecommunications company) and its subsidiaries in numerous opposition proceedings before the German Patent and Trademark Office. He was the leading counsel for a cross-border litigation of a famous Dutch fashion brand concerning the designation "RAW".
Marc is a member of the Munich Bar (Board of Directors, 2008-present). He is also a member of the German Association for Intellectual Property and Copyright Law (GRUR), the International Trademark Association (INTA) (member of the Famous and Well-Known Marks Committee), and the German-American Lawyers' Association (DAJV).
Experience
Lending Color to Trademarks: Protection and Enforcement of Color Marks in the U.S., EU, China and Japan, Reprinted with permission from INTA Bulletin Vol. 70 No. 12, July 1, 2015, Copyright 2015 International Trademark Association
Additional Speaking Engagements
- February 12, 2014
Legal Protection of Product Designs in Germany and the European Union, University of Washington, School of Law, CASRIP Institute - August 2, 2012
Keywords in Advertising, a US and European Perspective - October 2010
Die Haftung von Internet-Verkaufsplattformen für Markenverletzungen nach Deutschem und US-Recht, (The Liability of Internet Sales Platforms for Trademark Infringements under German and US Law), Markenverband - 2008
Trademarks and Advertising: Fair Use and Parody, INTA Annual Meeting - June 2007
Tipps für Recherchen (Tips for Research), Guidance for Trademark Availability Searches Workshop, INTA Forum for Paralegals - 2005
International Advertising Law Presentation - 2001
The Implementation of the European Views on E-Commerce and Internet Domains - A German Perspective on Key Issues, EYBA meeting
- Duke University (LL.M. 1996; Assistant to Professor David Lange, IP law, 1996-1997); Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property and Competition Law, Munich (Scholar, 1993-1995); State of Bavaria (Second State Examination 1994); University of Munich (First State Examination 1992); University of Paris (Language Degree 1990)
- New York, Federal Republic of Germany, all German District Courts and Courts of Appeals, German Federal Patent Court (BPatG), and German Patent and Trademark Office
JUVE Handbook: "competent attorney" (2012-2013) and "excellent and loyal" (2011-2012)
Ranked in 2014 for the third time in a row in the "Silver Band" of World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 – The Definitive Guide to Trademark Legal Services, described as "a fine lawyer and a consummate professional"; "top litigator"; "smart, precise and diligent"; and "extremely intelligent guy"
Nominated as "IP Star" by Managing Intellectual Property (2014-2017)
- German (native speaker), English (fluent), French (fluent), and Japanese (basic)