Practice Group head Markus Mette has extensive experience in representing technology companies in complex disputes.
Biography
Markus Mette advises German and international companies on complex intellectual property and technology matters, with a particular focus on the legal challenges arising from digital business models and artificial intelligence. His practice covers copyright, trademark, trade secret and unfair competition law. He is a member of the Firm's Global IP Group. A seasoned litigator, Markus represents clients in high-stakes and legally complex proceedings before the German courts. He combines deep legal expertise with commercial understanding and strategic acumen, helping clients protect and enforce their valuable intellectual property rights while identifying solutions that can prevent disputes from reaching the litigation stage.
Artificial intelligence is an increasingly significant part of Markus' practice. He advises clients on emerging issues at the interface of IP and unfair competition law, including the use of data and content in AI systems, the protection of AI-enabled products and technologies and the application of copyright, trademark and trade secret law to new technological developments.
Markus acts for major German and international companies, including leading businesses in the technology, social media, e-commerce, consumer products, financial services and automotive sectors. He regularly advises globally active technology companies, DAX 40 companies and other internationally listed businesses on strategically important matters involving digital platforms, AI tools, advertising, and innovative technology-driven business models. He also has substantial experience representing clients in mass claims, particularly in the automotive industry.
His ability to combine sophisticated IP expertise with strategic judgment makes him a trusted adviser to clients facing complex disputes and fast-evolving technological change.
Experience
A leading short messaging platform
Advising and representing a leading global US based short messaging platform in multiple high-stake litigation matters before German courts, including litigation proceedings by several collecting societies claiming license fees for allegedly unsolicited usage of works by our client's users of the platform.
A leading European financial institution
Advising a leading European financial institution on the legal risks under German trade secret, copyright and unfair competition law of an in-house AI decision-support tool used in regulated capital markets.
A leading US based AI developer and LLM creator
Advising a leading US based AI developer and Large language Model creator against copyright infringement claims brought by a German collecting society.
A leading global soft drinks manufacturer
Advising a leading global soft drinks manufacturer in a prestigious advertising campaign in Germany on copyright and unfair competition law issues.
A leading global luxury goods manufacturer
Ongoing advice on supplier negotiations and defense against competition-law warnings under German unfair competition law.
A leading global sports and lifestyle footwear manufacturer
Advising on alleged greenwashing and marketing claims under German unfair competition law.
A leading global crypto financial services and digital asset trading platform
Advising on asserting and defending unfair competition claims against market competitors under the German Act Against Unfair Competition.
A leading German consumer products manufacturer
Representation in trademark and unfair competition contentious matters as well as in software and IT related litigation.
A leading German car manufacturer
Representation of a leading German car manufacturer in out-of-court dispute with a tier 1 supplier over alleged trade secrets in relation to key components for an upcoming car model.
A leading global social media provider
Ongoing advice to a leading social media provider regarding its German website related disputes.
A leading global messenger communication provider
Strategic contentious advice to a leading global messenger communication provider.
A leading European software company
Representation in unfair competition litigation as well as in trademark litigation matters before the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
A leading Asian gaming hardware manufacturer
Representation in an open-source related dispute as well in trademark and advertising litigation.
A leading US brand for gardening products
Representation in preliminary injunction proceedings that threaten seasonal sales of major product lines.
Best Lawyer in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, Best Lawyers/Handelsblatt 2020-2026
WIPR Leader 2026
Recommended Individual Germany WTR 2026
Highly Recommended Lawyer, Intellectual Property – Germany, The Legal 500 Germany 2019, 2020
"Directors' personal liability for infringements of competition law by the company eased. Commentary on the decision of the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) of June 18, 2014 – I ZR 242/12 (Haftung der Geschäftsführer für Wettbewerbsverstöße der Gesellschaft entschärft. Kommentar zum Urteil des BGH vom 18. Juni 2014 – I ZR 242/12)", DB, Issue 32, Pages 1796-1797, 2014
"Test winner advertising in TV spot must be easily verifiable. Commentary on the decision of the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt a. M. of May 28, 2013 – 6 U 266/12 (Regional Court of Frankfurt a. M.) (Testsiegerwerbung im TV-Spot muss leicht nachprüfbar sein. Anmerkung zu OLG Frankfurt a. M., Urteil vom 28.05.2013 – 6 U 266/12 (LG Frankfurt a. M.))", GRUR Prax, Pages 321-322, 2013
"No personal liability for infringements of competition law by a GmbH. Commentary on the decision of the Higher Regional Court of Berlin (KG) of November 13, 2012 – 5 U 30/12 (Keine persönliche Haftung für Wettbewerbsverstöße der GmbH. Anmerkung zu KG, Urteil vom 13.11.2012 – 5 U 30/12)", GRUR Prax, Page 166, 2013
"Considerable closeness pertaining to branch of trade between specialized trade and cash and carry - METRO/ROLLER's Metro. Commentary on the decision of the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) of March 22, 2012 - I ZR 55/10 (Beträchtliche Branchennähe zwischen Fachhandel und Cash & Carry-Märkten – METRO/ROLLER's Metro. Anmerkung zu BGH, Urteil vom 22. März 2012 - I ZR 55/10)", GRUR Prax, Page 209, 2012
"Following a transfer of business, a derived authorization by the original manufacturer is a prerequisite for bearing the title 'OEM supplier'. Commentary on the decision of the German Higher Regional Court of Schleswig of October 6, 2011 – 6 U 3/09 ("OEM-Lieferant" ist nach Geschäftsübertragung nur, wer die Berechtigung vom Originalhersteller ableiten kann. Anmerkung zum OLG Schleswig, Urteil vom 6. Oktober 2011 – 6 U 3/09)", GRUR Prax, Page 44, 2012
