概览
Christoph Nießen combines deep intellectual property expertise with a practical, business oriented approach at the intersection of technology, life sciences, and sports. His practice within the field of IP centers on patents and trademarks –from strategic filings and portfolio development to licensing and the litigation and out of court enforcement of IP rights.
In trademark matters, he represents domestic and international clients in infringement, opposition, and cancellation proceedings before German courts, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), drawing on experience from his legal clerkship at the Board of Appeal of the EUIPO in Alicante. In patent matters, he helps companies to enforce and defend patents before German patent courts and the Unified Patent Court (UPC), including coordination of cross border proceedings and licensing issues.
Christoph Nießen also advises sports clubs and associations on governance and on licensing and IP issues in both amateur and professional sports – bringing institutional insight from service on the executive board of a professional soccer and multi sports club.
In addition, he counsels clients on data privacy and cybersecurity, with a particular focus on AI related issues. He holds an LL.M. degree from Duke University with a Certificate in IP, Science & Technology Law.
执业经验
Patent Litigation
- Enforcement and defense of patents in consumer electronics and telecommunications matters, including issues involving standard essential patents (SEPs).
- Representation of a leading Japanese consumer electronics company in multiple German patent infringement actions against major smartphone manufacturers, with close coordination of parallel German invalidity proceedings and related U.S. litigation.
- Representation of a global electronics manufacturer in infringement actions before Local Divisions of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) against a major competitor involving patents covering Video transmission technologies in consumer electronics.
- Development and implementation of a European patent prosecution strategy for a company specializing in wireless charging technologies, initially focused on mobile device applications.
Trademark Prosecution and Brand Management
- Strategic development and management of national and international trademark portfolios for companies in the technology, life sciences, and sports sectors.
- Representation in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
- International filings and register management under the Madrid System (WIPO), including subsequent designations in national registers.
- Enforcement of trademark rights in infringement actions and preparation of coexistence and license agreements.
Sports Law
- Advising sports clubs on club and association governance in both amateur and professional sports.
- Support on licensing and IP related matters in the sports sector.
- Filing and enforcement of trademarks for sports clubs, including club names, logos, and merchandising marks.
Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence
- Drafting IT service agreements and data processing agreements in compliance with the GDPR.
- Supporting a leading global manufacturer of construction and industrial equipment in implementing an AI tool to assess customer creditworthiness, including analysis of the EU AI Act’s applicability and GDPR compliance.
- Assessing whether data processed in the context of vendor and cybersecurity services qualifies as “social data” under the German Social Code (SGB), and advising on resulting data privacy implications.
- Evaluating the applicability of the NIS2 Directive to German sites of an automotive supplier, including classification, scope determination, and recommended actions.
M&A Transactions
- Supporting companies and investors on IP aspects of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, joint ventures, and other strategic agreements.
Other Matters
- Negotiating contracts for innovative, large scale projects in the renewable energy sector.
- Representing a leading global automotive supplier in pre litigation disputes and contested court proceedings.
- Drafting and enforcing contractual claims for a national biotechnology company against counterparties.
- Advising a pharmacy on compliant billing and handling of compounding waste for cytotoxic preparations, including structuring and negotiation of license agreements with university hospitals.
- Advising a client on legal structuring and risk assessment for launching API trading operations from Germany.
表彰
- Justin Miller LLM Award for Leadership and Community Participation (Duke University School of Law, USA)
教育背景
- Second State Law Examination (bar exam), Dusseldorf / Cologne
- Legal Clerkship (Referendariat), Cologne
- First State Law Examination, University of Bonn
- LL.M. Degree, Duke University School of Law, USA
语言
- 德语
- 英语
专业及社区参与
- German-American Lawyers' Association (DAJV)