Dr. Stephanie Pfaff

Dr. Stephanie Pfaff assists Asian, US and European clients with IP related questions. Clients value her extensive experience in trademarks, designs, and unfair competition law. Stephanie represents both national and international clients in the acquisition and licensing of IP rights, infringement proceedings, and litigation. In particular, she has significant expertise in representing clients before courts and authorities in complex trademark disputes, including the enforcement and defense of IP rights. Her litigation practice covers all stages of contentious proceedings, from pre-litigation strategy and risk assessment to trial and appeal. In addition, she is experienced in drafting agreements and managing the global portfolio and enforcement of IP rights. Moreover, Stephanie regularly advises on IP aspects of M&A- and private equity transactions. She provides clients with comprehensive support in the legal and economic protection and optimal use of intellectual property in the transaction process, particularly in connection with private equity investments. In addition, she assists clients in the enforcement and defense of claims under the Act Against Unfair Competition (UWG). 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 before the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and before national courts.
• An international manufacturer of distilled beverages in opposition proceedings before the GPTO.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturers in opposition proceedings before the GPTO, the EUIPO and before the Federal Patent Court (Bundespatentgericht).
• 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 hygiene paper manufacturer with regard to advertising claims.
• 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.

Represented:

• A hygiene paper manufacturer in a dispute with competitors regarding advertising claims.

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.
• Advice to one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of safety-related systems for the commercial vehicle industry on the acquisition of a hydraulics provider.

• 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

• Allemand
• Anglais

• Deutsche Vereinigung für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz und Urheberrecht (GRUR)