Word Marks
Protect the word itself and provide flexible protection even if the logo changes later. Ideal for company names and product names.
Trademarks as an Economic Protection Instrument
In a globally interconnected economy, a trademark represents far more than a name or a graphic symbol. It constitutes one of the most valuable intangible assets of a company. A strong identity – consisting of the company name, logo, domain and app icon – embodies the trust of your target audience and forms the foundation for sustainable economic success.
RICKERT.LAW acts as your strategic partner at the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and modern market dynamics. We transform creative concepts into legally secure protection frameworks that significantly increase the value of your company in financing rounds, exits or market expansions.
Our Trademark Services
1. Trademark Strategy & Protection Concept
Selection of the appropriate trademark type, strategic protection planning and alignment with future expansions and business models.
Effective protection begins well before the actual trademark filing. A well-designed trademark strategy anticipates not only the current status quo but also your expansion plans for the coming years. Together with you, we analyze which type of trademark (word mark, figurative mark, or combined word-figurative mark) offers the most effective protection for your individual project.
2. Trademark Searches & Filing Procedures
Identity and similarity searches (similarity checks), risk assessments, as well as national, European and international trademark filings.
Filing a trademark without professional research can lead to costly cease-and-desist claims. At Rickert.Law, trademark clearance goes far beyond a simple search engine query. We conduct identity and similarity searches in official trademark registers and assess the risk of confusion on phonetic, visual and conceptual levels.
Based on these findings, we manage trademark filings before the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and in the context of international registrations via the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Where time is critical, we also utilize accelerated examination procedures to obtain registration quickly, for example prior to product launches or investor discussions. At the same time, we maintain transparency regarding cost structures and provide clear guidance on official and class fees.
3. Scope of Protection & Register Design
Drafting goods and services specifications, delineation from trade name protection and strategic use of registered trademarks.
A specification that is too narrow creates vulnerabilities for competitors, while a specification that is too broad increases the risk of cancellation for non-use. We optimize the list of goods and services to ensure maximum strategic flexibility – particularly in key Nice classes relevant for technology companies such as Class 9 (software), Class 35 (e-commerce) and Class 42 (cloud computing).
Through a complementary trademark registration, we transform a factual business identifier into a formally registered right. This provides nationwide or EU-wide exclusivity and relieves you from the often complex task of proving the beginning and scope of use in case of disputes.
While company names already enjoy a certain level of protection under German law (§5 German Trademark Act) simply by commencing business activities (“protection through use”), this protection is often limited in practice. Its scope is frequently restricted to the actual geographic area of business activity, and proving priority (who used the name first) without a register entry can be difficult.
We close this gap through a strategic integration of trade name protection and proactive trademark strategies.
4. Enforcement & Defence of Trademark Rights
Protection against trademark misuse, domain disputes and platform violations as well as defence of existing trademark rights.
Consistent enforcement is a central element of effective trademark protection. We assist companies in asserting and defending their trademark rights against counterfeits, trademark misuse and other forms of infringement.
Rickert.Law specializes among others in domain law and provides defence mechanisms against cybersquatting (bad-faith domain registration) and typosquatting (registration of typo domains). We use national litigation procedures as well as international arbitration mechanisms such as the WIPO UDRP procedure for .com domains or the ADR procedure for .eu domains. These procedures often allow a decision on deletion or transfer of the domain within approximately 60 days.
We also act against misuse of your trademark in keyword advertising (Google Ads).
Trademark enforcement also plays a key role on digital platforms. Online merchants operate in an environment shaped by algorithms and strict marketplace rules. In this context, a registered trademark is often the gateway to the Amazon Brand Registry.
We assist companies in positioning their trademarks in a way that enables access to A+ content, facilitates the proactive removal of counterfeit listings and allows the use of legally compliant take-down notices.
Furthermore, we support companies throughout the entire lifecycle of a trademark – from strategic conception and registration to enforcement against counterfeits, domain piracy and other forms of trademark abuse.
5. Digital Assets & Special IP Issues
Protection of digital brand structures, chains of title and IP aspects in international and technology-driven business models.
In the technology sector, speed is a decisive factor. Trademark protection is not merely about safeguarding a name but about securing the entire digital ecosystem. Because digital products typically operate across borders, international scalability must be considered from the outset.
A frequently underestimated aspect is the chain of title. If external freelancers or service providers are involved in the creation of logos, designs or other identifiers, we ensure through appropriate agreements that all rights are properly transferred to the company.
Only in this way can digital assets be fully secured and the company be legally prepared for future financing rounds or exits.
Why RICKERT.LAW for Trademark Law?
RICKERT.LAW acts as a strategic partner at the intersection of trademark law and economic reality. The objective of our advice is not merely to file trademarks formally but to transform creative concepts into legally robust protection positions that safeguard the long-term economic value of a company.
The firm has extensive experience with national, European and international trademark registrations and proceedings before the DPMA, EUIPO and WIPO.
Particular emphasis is placed on the strategic structuring of trademark portfolios, the prevention of legal conflicts through thorough trademark searches and the consistent enforcement of existing trademark rights.
RICKERT.LAW supports companies throughout the entire lifecycle of a trademark – from strategic conception to registration and defence against counterfeits, domain piracy and trademark misuse, particularly in digital and internationally oriented business models.
Knowledge at a Glance
Choosing the Right Trademark Type for Your Project
The choice of trademark type always depends on the intended use and the strategic objectives of the business. Depending on the business model, different forms may be appropriate:
Word-Figurative Marks
Protect the combination of text and graphic elements. Important where brand recognition is strongly shaped by design.
Figurative Marks
Essential for app icons and purely graphic symbols. They prevent confusion in digital environments and strengthen visual identity.
Industry-Specific Trademark Strategies
Trademark strategies cannot be developed independently of the underlying business model. Industry sector, market environment and distribution structures significantly influence both risks and appropriate protection mechanisms.
RICKERT.LAW considers these factors and develops trademark solutions tailored to the specific requirements of digital business models, e-commerce companies and traditional SMEs.
Digital Companies and Tech Startups
In the tech environment, speed is critical. Trademarks often protect not just names but entire digital ecosystems. Because digital products typically operate internationally, scalability across jurisdictions must be considered from the beginning.
Particular attention is given to securing the chain of title, especially when external developers or designers are involved, ensuring legal certainty for future transactions or exits.
E-Commerce and Platform Businesses
In online commerce, the trademark is often the key to visibility on platforms and marketplaces. RICKERT.LAW assists companies in legally securing their brand positioning and enforcing their rights against imitation and misuse, particularly in highly regulated and algorithm-driven environments.
SMEs, Industry and Craft Businesses
In traditional SMEs, long-established company names, regional roots and quality promises are often central. Although the actual use of a company name can create certain legal protection, such protection is often limited and difficult to enforce.
By strategically combining trade name protection with registered trademarks, we establish robust nationwide or European protection and provide legal certainty.
Cross-Industry Delimitation Agreements
If similar names exist in neighbouring industries, we develop legally secure delimitation and coexistence agreements. This safeguards your freedom to operate and prevents the dilution of your brand identity by imitators.
Trademark Advice: Strategy Instead of Formal Filing
Many trademarks are filed as a purely formal act without considering the medium- and long-term objectives of the company. Effective trademark protection begins before the application is filed with the trademark office.
A sustainable trademark strategy does not only reflect the current business model but also future expansions, product developments and market entries.
RICKERT.LAW develops trademark protection concepts that reflect the actual economic use of the trademark while identifying and avoiding legal risks at an early stage. This includes selecting the appropriate trademark type and defining a strategically appropriate scope of protection.
Secure the value of your brand early and strategically
We would be pleased to advise you on trademark protection, trademark strategy and the enforcement of your trademark rights.
Trademark Protection – FAQ
The German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) offers an accelerated examination procedure for trademark applications. By paying an additional fee of €200, the application is given priority processing. As a result, the examination and registration can often be completed within a few weeks, instead of the usual three to five months. This option can be particularly useful when a trademark registration is needed quickly, for example ahead of a product launch or during investor negotiations.
In der Praxis erleben wir oft, dass Unternehmen den Schutz ihrer Identität erst forcieren, wenn das Geschäft bereits skaliert. Rechtlich gesehen ist dies ein riskanter Weg. Da im Markenrecht das Prioritätsprinzip gilt, kann ein Wettbewerber, der denselben oder einen ähnlichen Namen auch nur einen Tag vor Ihrer Anmeldung registriert, Ihnen die weitere Nutzung untersagen – selbst wenn Sie den Namen faktisch schon länger nutzen. Ohne Registereintrag sind Sie auf den mühsamen Nachweis eines Unternehmenskennzeichenschutzes angewiesen. Eine nachträgliche Anmeldung heilt zudem keine bereits begangenen Markenverletzungen gegenüber Dritten.
For .de domains, a dispute entry prevents the domain holder from transferring the domain to third parties. If the domain is deleted or becomes available, the rights automatically pass to you as the trademark owner.
The initial term of protection is 10 years. However, it can be renewed indefinitely for additional periods of 10 years, making a trademark a timeless asset.
GDPR stands for: General Data Protection Regulation and refers to the basic data protection regulation which has been directly applicable in all EU member states since 25.05.2018. We would like to briefly highlight the essential aspects of the new regulations for you and present our consulting approach.