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Title Protection

Title rights (also known as work title rights) are part of Trademark Law. Due to the limited number of use cases they form an area where specific expertise is required. In addition, there are only few similar legal systems in the international context, and the protection of work titles without the need for registration is largely specific to German Law. Title rights are particularly relevant in the media sector, where they offer an extremely effective mechanism for protecting the name of a work.

We support the development of new titles, carry out title clearance searches and secure the introduction of titles through additional protective measures. Our range of consulting services also includes the enforcement or defence of title rights, including representation in court, e.g. in summary proceedings (preliminary injunction) and in main action proceedings, insofar as, for example, injunctive relief or damages are claimed.

Expertise:

  • Strategic advice on naming/title selection, securing new titles (e.g. title protection notices)
  • Title availability searches
  • Extension of work title protection via additional IP rights (e.g. trademark registrations)
  • IP litigation in title law (PI proceedings, main action proceedings)
  • Licensing/sale of titles

Blog Intellectual Property

  • Copyrights
  • Intellectual Property
  • Licensing
  • Media Law
  • Unfair Competition

EU AI Act: New transparency requirements from August 2026

Chatbots, automated text generation, image generators and AI-powered marketing campaigns – companies are now using artificial intelligence in a variety of areas. With further provisions of the EU AI Act coming into force on 2 August 2026, the legal requirements…

  • Intellectual Property
  • IP Litigation
  • Unfair Competition

“Shrinkage” of a chocolate bar – Misleading under Unfair Competition Law?

In its judgment of 13 May 2026, the Regional Court of Bremen (File No. 12 O 118/25) handed down a widely noted ruling on so-called ‘shrinkflation’. The central issue is whether reducing the contents of a chocolate bar whilst leaving…

  • Copyrights
  • Inheritance & Bequests
  • Intellectual Property
  • Media Law
  • Notary
  • Succession Planning & Gifts

AI & Will Drafting – Why modern Wills should take Artificial Intelligence into Account

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is not only opening up new technical possibilities – it is also raising legal questions. Celebrities, artists and, more generally, creative people whose voices, faces or works could be reconstructed, used or otherwise…

  • Intellectual Property
  • IP Litigation
  • Media Law
  • Unfair Competition

“Market leader, No. 1, the best” – Advertising with claims of market leadership

In a highly competitive market environment, companies often resort to advertising claims that highlight their unique position in relation to competitors. Claims such as “market leader” or “No. 1” help set them apart, generate attention and, where applicable, boost sales.…

  • Brand Management
  • Intellectual Property
  • Licensing
  • Title Protection
  • Trademarks

BPatG: Increase in bad faith trademark applications

The German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) has issued an official notice regarding the increase in bad faith trademark applications (Notice dated 11 February 2026). According to the DPMA, since mid-2025 there has been an increase in trademark applications where…

  • Brand Management
  • Intellectual Property
  • IP Litigation
  • Licensing
  • Media Law
  • Title Protection
  • Trademarks

BGH: No title protection for “Miss Moneypenny”

The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled that movie character “Miss Moneypenny” from the James Bond series is not protected as a title under German Trademark Law. On the basis of this assessment, a lawsuit brought by the…