Rüdi­ger Pansch Dr. iur., M. Jur. (Oxon.) | Partner

Outstanding litigator, especially for fundamental and complex issues, particularly experienced with proceedings at the ECJ, always realistic and reliable assessment of risks, opportunities and problems of a legal case.

Legal 500 Trademarks 2022

Not only does Ruediger deliver great results in the courtroom, he also puts in excellent performances negotiating settlement agreements.

IAM Patent 1000 2024

Pansch knows the mechanical engineering and automotive sectors like the back of his hand”; “stands out for his ‘outstanding technical understanding, well-thought-out strategy and strong performances in oral proceedings.’

IAM Patent 1000 2021

Fast and efficient legal enforcement, strong litigator (competitor).

JUVE Trademark and Design law 2022

Extremely competent, fast, and easy to reach (client).

JUVE Patent 2021

Profile

Rüdiger started his career as a lawyer with rospatt in 2005 and became a partner in 2012

His practice, experience, and clientele are very broad. He has worked on several high-profile cases that have led to famous landmark decisions of the highest Courts in the fields of trademark, design and patent law, such as 

  • «Testarossa», CJEU C720/18 and C721/18 on genuine use of vintage trademarks
  • «Cornereye», GC T688/18 on likelihood of confusion of weakly distinctive elements
  • «BretarisGenuair», BGH [2017] GRUR 1160 on parallel imports of medicinal products
  • «Front Kit I», BGH [2020] GRUR 392; Ferrari v Mansory and WH”, CJEU C‑123/20; Front Kit II”, BGH [2022] GRUR 1061, all on Unregistered Community Design protection for partial areas of a complex product
  • «Coating process», BGH [2016] GRUR 1257 on joint inventorship
  • «Vehicle steel component», BGH [2016] GRUR 265 on entitlement to an invention
  • «Pallet container II and III», BGH [2012] GRUR 1118 and 1122 on replacement vs remanufacturing and on equivalence

Rüdiger has handled series of entitlement proceedings in patent and design law as well as complex litigation for recovering damages.

In addition to his high-end litigation activity, Rüdiger is an expert in combatting grey imports and in testing the boundaries of permissible parallel imports. He has deep experience in developing anti-counterfeiting strategies and effectively enforces clients’ rights at tradeshows and in cooperation with the customs authorities. 

Rüdiger advises on R&D agreements, research collaborations, cross-licence agreements, and the law on employee inventions. 

In Haedicke/​Timmann «Patent Law Handbook», 2nd edition 2020, C.H. Beck-Verlag, Rüdiger has authored the chapter on patent entitlement. 

Key cases

  • Almirall v Emramed (BretarisGenuair)
  • ArcelorMittal v Tata Steel (steel coating)
  • Exploitatiemaatschappij De Berghaaf (Stoneridge group) EUIPO and Brigade Electronics Group (automotive components)
  • Ferrari v Autec (scale model cars)
  • Ferrari DU (vintage car brands)
  • Ferrari v Kik (model cars)
  • Ferrari v Mansory and WH (hyper sports cars)
  • Ferrari v Ninco (slot cars)
  • Flooring Industries (Unilin group) v Classen (flooring)
  • Innova (Doppelmayr group) LST and MND (chair lifts)
  • Isofloc v Isocell (insulating material)
  • Lucas Industries (ZF TRW group) v Magna (autonomous cruise control)
  • Mauser v Schütz (plastic drums)
  • Protechna v Mauser (IBC)
  • Puma v New Wave Mode (football jerseys)
  • Schneider Electric v various (uninterruptible power supplies)
  • Steiner v Maserati (luxury cars)
  • Tecnopat v Bottero (bevelling cut glass)
  • Victocor v Benteler (steel coating)

Education

19951999 University of Konstanz

20002002 Doctorate degree at University of Konstanz, Prof. Dr. Rainer Hausmann

20012002 University of Oxford, Lincoln College, M. Jur. degree in European and Comparative law

20032005 Legal practice training at Higher Regional Court of Hamburg 

Connections & Networks 

GRUR, AIGLI, DJJV, DIJV, Mercurio

Awards & Recognitions

State graduate scholarship of Baden-Württemberg

DAAD scholarship

Erich and Rochelle Friedmann Endowed Prize in Music, Lincoln College

Schiesser-Allweiler Award for dissertation

JUVE Patent Germany 2022: Recommended Individual

IAM Patent 1000: Silver for Patent Infringement

Legal 500 2022: Key Lawyer Patent Litigation: Solicitors

Legal 500 2022: Key Lawyer Trademarks

L’Italia nel cuore …
… in famiglia, al lavoro, a tavola, tra la gente
For me, paradise on earth …
… is the North Frisian Wadden Sea.
Vitality and enjoyment …
… I draw from the garden. I give every plant a chance.

The Rospatt Team

Our reputation and success have been built on a team of lawyers committed to excellence and perfection in their work. All of us specialized in IP law from the beginning of our careers. For this reason, every year of our combined IP law experience is directly relevant to your needs.