Dr. Burkhart Goebel
Partner Intellectual Property
Hamburg
Madrid
Languages
English, German, Spanish
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
World Trademark Review 1000, 2022“Burkhart is an absolute leader in the field – he understands IP law and its commercial implications better than anyone else on the market.”
Burkhart Goebel is a vital partner to the owners of several of the world’s most valuable brands and other IP rights protecting their intellectual property (IP) across the European Union, particularly in Germany and Spain.
With 27 years of experience, Burkhart has pleaded or acted as instructing counsel before senior courts in nearly every European jurisdiction, leading some of the most significant multi-jurisdictional disputes in IP litigation history. His experience across diverse legal landscapes makes him focus on what really matters, cut through the noise and navigate clients with precision through complex cases.
Exceptional among IP practitioners, Burkhart has deep experience in IP-related public international law. He presented clients in numerous preliminary rulings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, argued before the European Court of Human Rights, participated in WTO dispute settlement proceedings and actively engaged in IP rule making.
Beyond IP litigation his deep expertise covers the negotiation of license agreements, both intra-group and with third parties, as well as advising on trade secrets, copyright, advertising campaigns, geographical indications, plant breeders' rights, brands and copyright in virtual realities and the set of rules that governs digital transformation in Europe.
Clients and peers alike recognize Burkhart's prowess. World Trademark Review (WTR) quotes clients describing him as "...a phenomenal lawyer, strategist, and litigator; he has a great demeanor, and is the most sophisticated lawyer we have ever worked with."
World Trademark Review 1000, 2019“He is a global thinker who excels at formulating coherent international strategies.”
Representative experience
Being the lead outside counsel for one the world’s leading telecommunication companies on its global brand strategy and enforcement.
Representing one of the world's biggest financial institutions in a major trademark dispute concerning color marks, including before the Court of Justice of the EU.
Landmark decision from the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights protecting trademarks as fundamental property rights.
Advising one of the parties in the WTO dispute EU system for the protection of geographical indications.
Representing a world leading brewer in one of the most complex multi-national disputes over trademarks and geographical indications.
Advising a spirits company in a multiple jurisdiction dispute on trademark confiscation following World War II.
Instructing counsel in a major color mark case in the USA.
Managing legal proceedings in nearly all European countries and the USA.
Managing multiple fundamental legal proceedings on non-traditional trademarks (color marks, 3-D marks, single letter marks, alphanumeric marks).
Numerous references for a preliminary ruling before the Court of Justice of the EU on trademark issues, geographic indications and on the Health Claims Regulation.
Advising a major European company on its brand development and licensing beyond core products.
Advising major European and US companies on brand licensing in the context of spin-offs, JVs, IP holding companies, etc.
Credentials
- Dr. iur., University of Freiburg, 2000
- Visiting Scholar, Stanford Law School, 1996
- Second State Exam in Law, University of Freiburg, 1995
- LL.M., London School of Economics, 1993
- First State Exam in Law, University of Freiburg, 1991