Lubberger Lehment

Lubberger Lehment is a boutique firm specialising in trademarks, unfair competition and related IP issues. Andreas Lubberger and Cornelis Lehment founded the firm in 2004 as a response to the dilution of IP competence in multidisciplinary law firms. Lubberger Lehment exclusively represents brand owners – no free riders or product pirates.

Clients value Lubberger Lehment’s business-oriented approach and personal expertise. Most clients have a longestablished relationship with the firm and appreciate its knowledge of their markets and customers. In that regard, Mr Lubberger has a reputation for understanding the interplay between the protection of luxury brands and selective distribution, and Mr Lehment for the specifics of the German press market and channels of press distribution. Martin Fiebig is quoted for his expertise in custom control matters and protecting against lookalikes or ‘smellalikes’; Ulrich Hildebrandt is a renowned commentator and scholar of German trademark law; Kai Schmidt-Hern takes over when copyright matters become tricky; and Bernd Weichhaus has particular experience in dealing with the unfair competition aspects of large advertising campaigns.

As a general policy, Lubberger Lehment seeks to become the trusted partner of inhouse counsel. It understands and respects the fact that in-house counsel report to management, not to legal scholars. Many matters addressed to in-house counsel from within the company lack clarity or supporting evidence. They require professional attention and legal care, as much as pragmatism and insight into economic necessities.

Lubberger Lehment has a unique profile. No other firm restricts itself to representing brand owners and manufacturers, while excluding traders with the same rigour. Market surveys bear out this unique characteristic, as well as the firm’s focus on luxury brands.

In order to keep services personal, the firm takes a cautious approach to growth. Over its seven-year history, the number of professionals has grown from three to nine, six of whom are partners. Reasonable hourly rates and an awareness of budgetary constraints foster long-standing client relationships.

The firm’s track record reveals an impressive number of landmark litigation cases, many of which are strategically organised and may reach the highest courts. On more than one occasion, the partners of Lubberger Lehment have turned a failure before the German Federal Supreme Court into a success before the European Court of Justice.

Over the years, Lubberger Lehment has developed a particualr focus on protecting its clients from online trademark infringement. eBay is a well-known and regular adversary and will likely remain so for years to come. Lubberger Lehment is particularly proud that Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur, owner of the oldest German trademark, MEISSEN, has entrusted the firm to represent it in litigation against eBay.

Since its establishment in 2004, Lubberger Lehment’s goal has been to become one of the leading German advisers on trademark and unfair competition matters. In 2009 Germany’s leading legal publication, JUVE, honoured Lubberger Lehment with the IP Law Firm of the Year and the Trademark and Unfair Competition Firm of the Year awards.

Lubberger Lehment partners have committed themselves to teaching and mentoring young professionals: Mr Hildebrand teaches at Dusseldorf University, while Mr Schmidt-Hern and Mr Lubberger teach at Berlin Humboldt University.

Lubberger Lehment is a member of several professional organisations and regularly serves as outside counsel to the German Trademark Association. In addition, Lubberger Lehment is counsel to the German Association of Manufacturers and Distributors of Cosmetic Goods. Mr Lubberger recently helped to found the German Association for Luxury Brands. All partners are members of the German IP Association (GRUR), and Mr Hildebrandt and Mr Lubberger are members of the GRUR Working Group on Unfair Competition and Trademark Law. Mr Fiebig is involved in the European Communities Trademark Association, and Mr Lubberger is a member of the International Trademark Association Internet Committee and chairs the new MARQUES section for famous and well-known marks.