Dr. Stephanie Pfaff

Dr. Stephanie Pfaff helps Asian, US and European clients with IP related questions. Clients turn to Stephanie for her extensive experience on trademarks, designs and unfair competition law. Stephanie represents national and international clients regarding the acquisition and licensing of IP rights, infringement proceedings, drafting of agreements and in the global management and enforcement of IP rights. Moreover, she regularly advises on IP aspects of M&A transactions. She also advises on copyright law. Before joining Mayer Brown, Stephanie worked for another law firm and her professional training comprised stages at an international law firm and the German Football Association (Deutscher Fußball-Bund).

Trademarks & Trademark litigation

Advised:

• A manufacturer of engines, filtration and power generation products in several IP infringement cases and in opposition proceedings before the EUIPO.
• A multinational company specializing in software and smartphones regarding IP infringements of third parties and in opposition proceedings before the German Patent and Trademark Office and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).*
• A major automobile manufacturer regarding trademark infringements, especially on international fairs.*
• A pharmaceutical manufacturer regarding the strategic development and management of its trademark portfolios.*

Represented: 

• A manufacturer of dental products regarding IP infringement cases.
• An international manufacturer of distilled beverages in opposition proceedings before the GPTO.
• A pharmaceutical manufacturer in opposition proceedings before the GPTO.
• A global food manufacturer in opposition proceedings before the GPTO and EUIPO.
• One of the largest global internet sales platforms in court cases about intellectual property infringements committed by users of this platform.
• An international manufacturer of skateboarding shoes and related apparel on trademark enforcement proceedings as well as coexistence agreements and representation in opposition proceedings before the GPTO and EUIPO and European General Court (EGC).*
• A writing materials and notebook manufacturer in opposition proceedings before the EGC.*

Unfair competition

Advised: 

• A leading labelling organization for fair trade regarding copying of written standards.*
• A producer of advertising material on several proceedings regarding advertising statements of competitors.*

Data Privacy

Advised:

• A financial company regarding a data breach incident under the GDPR.
• A banking and financial services company on implementation of GDPR.
• Several member companies of a German employer organization on implementation of GDPR.

Transactions

Advised: 

• A UK private equity firm on the acquisition of a leading German internet and multimedia service provider in relation to IP, IT and data protection.
• A German company on the sale of its distribution and steel and pipe business in relation to IP and IT.
• A German company in the travel sector on the sale of subsidiaries in relation to IP and IT.
• A US media firm on the acquisition of several companies in the anime and manga business in relation to IP, especially license agreements, IT and data protection.

• Doctor's Degree (PhD in Law), University of Gießen, Sports Law
• Second State Law Examination (bar exam), Frankfurt am Main
• Legal Clerkship (Referendariat), Darmstadt and Frankfurt am Main
• First State Law Examination, University of Mainz

• Frankfurt am Main, Germany

• German
• English

• Deutsche Vereinigung für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz und Urheberrecht (GRUR)