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Intellectual Property​

Trademarks

Trademarks play a decisive role in the success of products and services, as they create connotations of their origin and quality. For many companies, the brand is therefore the most valuable asset which is why trademark protection is essential.

We offer the full range of trademark-related services – from researching and filing new trademarks and developing a trademark portfolio to enforcing trademarks on a national and multinational level.

Litigation & Anti-Counterfeiting

We have been litigating for our clients in German and European courts for over two decades against national and multinational competitors. Our success rate reflects the experience, knowledge, quality and dedication of our team.

We are not only fighting counterfeits, knockoffs and grey/parallel imports with civil and criminal actions, but also protect the borders with seizures in Germany and the EU.

Design Patents

A successful design combines creativity with technical functionality, its protection secures competitive advantages, deters imitators and is an essential component of a balanced property rights portfolio.

Copyrights

Copyright law protects creative works such as books, music, films, paintings, photographs, software and other forms of artistic expression. We create the legal basis for the protection, licensing and consistent prosecution of copyright infringements.

Competition Law

Competition law not only plays a decisive role in the marketing concept, but also regarding the question of protection against imitation and the infringement of trade secrets. We analyze product presentations, relevant markets and marketing concepts and develop legally compliant solutions

Lea Juricic

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

+49 89 2170412-0

Lea Juricic is our latest addition to the team. She completed her law studies in Munich with excellent grades and is currently a trainee lawyer at the Higher Regional Court of Munich.

In addition to her enthusiasm for intellectual property law and her excellent legal intuition, she also speaks four languages fluently.

Emily Wilson

SOLICITOR OF ENGLAND, WALES AND IRELAND · ADMITTED TO THE MUNICH CHAMBER OF LAWYERS · ATTORNEY AT LAW (NEW YORK) · SENIOR ASSOCIATE

+49 89 2170412-0

As a native English speaker working in Germany, Emily’s unique blend of language skills and cultural understanding provides an extra layer to her strategic advice. Emily thrives on a challenge and always seeks to achieve the best possible results for her clients based on the legal situation and each client’s particular economic concerns and goals. 

Before joining Epic she was at Grünecker for many years, from 2019 onwards as an EU qualified attorney and studied law at the University of Essex (2006-2009) in the UK.

Philipp Strommer

ATTORNEY-AT-LAW · PARTNER · FOUNDER

+49 89 2170412-0

Philipp Strommer is the founder of Epic and is valued by clients for his binding manner, entrepreneurial approach and passionate commitment to their needs.

His particular strength lies in the area of litigation, especially product piracy, where he has obtained a large number of decisions in favor of his clients in the luxury and consumer goods sector in recent years.

Before founding Epic, Philipp Strommer was a partner at Grünecker and began his legal career in 2012 at Becker Büttner Held in Munich. He studied law and economics in Ulm and Bayreuth and completed his legal clerkship in the Munich Higher Regional Court district.

Testimonials

Often recommended, JUVE 2024/2025

Often recommended; trademark and competition law “good design lawyer”, competitor, JUVE, 2023/2024

Germany – Bronze – Individuals: “Philipp Strommer is a trusted adviser for his clients and prioritizes building longstanding relationships. He is responsive, proactive and understands the in-house environment and clients’ business priorities. He also gets great results and is very effective. Philipp’s advice is super commercial, practical and cuts straight to the heart of the matter.”, World Trademark Review (WTR) 2024

Germany – Bronze – Individuals: Philipp Strommer is a commercially savvy and budget-conscious lawyer with a deep understanding of the challenges and constraints faced by in-house counsel. He understands what they need and excels at delivering concise, straightforward advice with remarkable efficiency.”, World Trademark Review (WTR) 2025

Leaders League has recognized Philipp Strommer as “Excellent” in the categories Trademark Prosecution and Trademark Litigation in 2024.

Notable Practitioner, IP Stars 2024

Julia Sajnoga

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

+49 89 2170412-0

Julia Sajnoga is characterized by her outstanding comprehension, speed and organizational talent.

She is studying law with a focus on competition law and intellectual property at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

Markus Röder

ATTORNEY-AT-LAW · ASSOCIATE

+49 89 2170412-0

Markus Röder is not only extremely quick on the uptake, but also provides prudent and comprehensive advice, so that no detail is overlooked. He finds practicable solutions while taking economic aspects into account.

Before joining Epic, he was a lawyer at Grünecker (2022-2024) in Munich. He completed his studies at the University of Regensburg and his legal clerkship in the Higher Regional Court district of Nuremberg.

Julius Pälke

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

+49 89 2170412-0

Julius Pälke completed his law studies in Munich with flying colors and is currently a trainee lawyer at the Higher Regional Court of Munich.

His enthusiasm for intellectual property law and his fluency in languages make him an outstanding contribution for our team.

Bastian Mahler

ATTORNEY-AT-LAW · SENIOR ASSOCIATE · CERTIFIED IP LAWYER

+49 89 2170412-0

Bastian Mahler has an outstanding ability to analyze complex legal issues quickly and to present clients with an effective and clearly understandable solution tailored to their needs.

Bastian Mahler is a certified IP lawyer and has gained his professional experience at Grünecker (2023-2024) and Taliens (2019-2022) in Munich. He studied in Augsburg and completed his legal clerkship in Munich.

Anna Horstmann

ASSISTANT

+49 89 2170412-0

Anna Horstmann is a trained foreign language correspondent and has been working as a paralegal in intellectual property law for almost three years.

She has a special talent for organization and stands out with her commitment and overview. Anna Horstmann particularly enjoys her daily work because of the many creative and innovative ideas and the opportunity to work internationally and thus get to know other countries, legal systems and cultures.

Anne-Kathrin Hofmann

ATTORNEY-AT-LAW · ASSOCIATE

+49 89 2170412-0
Anne-Kathrin Hofmann is characterized above all by a high degree of precision and conscientiousness – with a focus on the creative and commercial interests of her clients. She also goes the famous extra mile.

Before joining Epic, she was an attorney-at-law at Grünecker (2022-2024) in Munich. She completed her studies in Hamburg and her legal clerkship at the Higher Regional Court of Schleswig-Holstein.

Roja Günes

ASSISTANT

+49 89 2170412-0

Roja Günes is a trained foreign language correspondent and has been working as a paralegal in intellectual property law for almost ten years. Thanks to her experience, she finds a practical solution for all issues and maintains the necessary calm even in stressful times. Trademark law is exciting for her because of its constant development and new trends.

Gabriela Czuba

ASSISTANT

+49 89 2170412-0

Gabriela Czuba is a trained foreign language correspondent and has been working as a paralegal in intellectual property law for almost three years. With her proactive, creative approach, she particularly enjoys the opportunity to work on the legal and commercial aspects of a wide range of clients.

FERDINAND BRANDL

ATTORNEY-AT-LAW · ASSOCIATE

+49 89 2170412-0

Clients appreciate his particularly pragmatic and entrepreneurial approach to advice and the efficient results achieved – especially in the area of legal enforcement.

Before joining Epic, Ferdinand Brandl worked at Grünecker (2022-2024) and Breuer Lehmann (2021-2022) in Munich. He completed his studies and legal clerkship in Munich.

Imprint

Epic Legal PartG mbB

Leopoldstrasse 182
80804 München

Tel.: 089/2170412-0
Fax: 089/2170412-99

E-Mail:

Residence: München
Register Court: Amtsgericht München
Partnership Register: PR no. 1397
VAT Identification Number: DE442429775

Representing Partners: Dr. Schmitz, Nicolás; Philipp Strommer.

Attorneys-at-law are members of the Munich bar association (www.rechtsanwaltskammer-muenchen.de), unless specified otherwise. The regulations applicable to lawyers can be viewed at the Federal Bar Association at www.brak.de.

The following professional regulations apply:

Federal Lawyers’ Act (BRAO)
Professional Code of Conduct for Lawyers (BORA)
Specialist lawyer regulations (FAO)
Law on the remuneration of lawyers (RVG)
Code of Conduct for Lawyers in the European Community (CCBE)
Law on the Activities of European Lawyers in Germany (EuRAG)

Professional Liability Insurance: Allianz Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft, Königinstraße 28, 80802 München

Responsible for the content is Philipp Strommer.

Dr. Nicolás Schmitz

ATTORNEY-AT-LAW · PARTNER · FOUNDER

+49 89 2170412-0

Nicolás Schmitz is the founder of Epic and can look back on an impressive career in IP spanning over 20 years. His dynamic, team-oriented and optimistic approach makes him a highly valued contact and acquisition magnet.

He is perceived by clients as a strategic partner as he is passionate about protecting investments, be it in the registration of (non-conventional) trademarks, border seizures or enforcing IP rights in court.

The fight against product piracy is a key focus of his work. Well-known manufacturers in the luxury goods industry rely on his strategic advice and his experienced team, which can look back on a series of very successful and effectively planned warning letter, court and border seizure complexes.

Prior to founding Epic, Nicolás Schmitz was a partner at Grünecker. He began his legal career in 2002 at Linklaters in Cologne, where he also studied and completed his legal clerkship. He holds a doctorate in domain name law.

Testimonials

World Trademark Review rates Dr. Nicolás Schmitz “Gold” since 2016 and as “Global Leader” 2023.

“Nicolás Schmitz is a standout trademark practitioner with extensive experience. His exceptional skillset and natural problem-solving abilities make him highly effective.”  World Trademark Review (WTR) 2025

“Nicolás Schmitz is described by his clients as a ‘great strategist and first-class litigator’.” Legal500

Leaders League has named Dr. Nicolás Schmitz “Leading” in the Trademark Prosecution category and “Excellent” in the Trademark Litigation category in 2022.

Often recommended, JUVE 2024/2025

Often recommended; trademarks and competition law “knowledgeable and experienced trademark lawyer”, competitor, JUVE 2023/2024

Germany – Gold – Individuals; Recommended: Anti Counterfeiting: “great strategist and top-notch litigator”, World Trademark Review (WTR) 2024

Trade Mark Star, IP Stars 2024, Managing IP

Recommended; IP – Trademarks – Germany, Who’s Who Legal, 2024

Privacy Policy

I. Name and Address of the Data Controller

The data controller within the meaning of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other national data protection laws of the member states as well as other data protection regulations is:

Epic Legal PartG mbB
Leopoldstrasse 182
80804 Munich

Tel.: 089/2170412-0
Fax: 089/2170412-99

E-mail:
Website: www.epic.legal

II. General information on data processing

1. Scope of the processing of personal data

We process personal data of our users only to the extent necessary to provide a functional website and our content and services. The processing of personal data of our users takes place regularly only with the consent of the user. An exception applies in cases where prior consent cannot be obtained for practical reasons and the processing of the data is permitted by law.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

If we obtain your consent for the processing of personal data, Art. 6 (1) point a GDPR serves as the legal basis.

Insofar as the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are a party, Art. 6 (1) point b GDPR serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations that are carried out in order to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract.

Insofar as the processing of personal data is required for the fulfilment of a legal obligation to which our company is subject, Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR serves as the legal basis.

In the event that the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person require the processing of personal data, Art. 6 (1) lit. d GDPR serves as the legal basis.

If the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party and if the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not override the former interest, Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR serves as the legal basis for the processing.

3. Data erasure and storage duration

We store your data for as long as is necessary to provide our online offer and the associated services or to provide our services or for as long as we have a legitimate interest in further storage. In all other cases, we will delete your personal data, with the exception of data that we are required to keep in order to fulfil contractual or legal (e.g. tax or commercial law) retention periods (e.g. invoices). Contractual retention periods may also arise from contracts with third parties (e.g. holders of copyrights and neighbouring rights). We block data that is subject to a retention period until the period has expired.

III. Disclosure of data to third parties; service providers

1. Disclosure of data to third parties

We will only disclose your personal data to third parties if this is necessary for the performance of a contract, if we or the third party have a legitimate interest in the disclosure or if you have given your consent. If data is transferred to third parties on the basis of a legitimate interest, this is explained in this data protection policy. In addition, data may be transferred to third parties if we are obliged to do so by law or by enforceable official or court order.

IV. Data collection when you visit our website

1. Description and scope of data processing

If you use our website for information purposes only, i.e. if you do not register or otherwise provide us with information, we only collect data that your browser transmits to our server (so-called ‘server log files’). When you visit our website, we collect the following data, which is technically necessary for us to display the website:

(1) Information about the browser type and version used

(2) The user’s operating system

(3) The user’s internet service provider

(4) Date and time of access

(5) Websites from which the user’s system accesses our website

(6) Websites accessed by the user’s system via our website

The data may also be stored in the log files of our system. This data is not stored together with other personal data of the user. The legal basis for the temporary storage of data and log files is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO. The temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable the website to be delivered to your computer. To do this, your IP address must be stored for the duration of the session. The data is stored in log files to ensure the functionality of the website. In addition, the data helps us to optimise the website and to ensure the security of our information technology systems. The data is not evaluated for marketing purposes in this context. These purposes also include our legitimate interest in data processing in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR.

The data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of data collection for the provision of the website, this is the case when the respective session has ended. The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of data in log files is essential for the operation of the website. Consequently, there is no right of objection on the part of the user.

V. Use of social plugins

We use social plugins (hereinafter ‘social plugins’ or ‘plugins’) from the following providers for our website:

1. LinkedIn

Functions and contents of the LinkedIn service, offered by LinkedIn AG, Dammtorstraße 29-32, 20354 Hamburg, Germany, may be integrated into our online offering. This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons with which users can express their favour regarding the content, the authors of the content or subscribe to our posts. If the users are members of the LinkedIn platform, LinkedIn can assign the access to the above-mentioned content and functions to the user profiles there.

LinkedIn’s privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
Opt-Out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

2. How plugins work

Your internet browser will only establish a direct connection to the servers of the respective plugin provider if you activate the plugins. This informs the plugin provider that your internet browser has accessed the corresponding page of our online offering, even if you do not have a user account with the provider or are not currently logged in. Log files (including the IP address) are transmitted directly from your internet browser to a server of the respective plug-in provider and stored there if necessary. This server may be located outside the EU or EEA (e.g. in the USA).

The plugins are independent extensions of the plugin providers. We therefore have no influence on the extent of the data collected and stored by the plugin providers via the plugins. If you do not want the plugin providers to receive the data collected via this internet portal and possibly store or reuse it, you should not use the respective plugins. You can also completely prevent the loading of plug-ins with the help of add-ons for your browser, so-called script blockers.

Further information about the purpose and scope of the collection and the further processing and use of your data by plug-in providers, as well as your rights and setting options for protecting your data, can be found in the data protection information of the respective providers.

VI. Rights of the data subject

The applicable data protection law grants you comprehensive rights (rights of information and intervention) vis-à-vis the data controller with regard to the processing of your personal data, about which we will inform you below:

1. Right of access according to Art. 15 GDPR

In particular, you have the right to request information about your personal data processed by us, the purposes of the processing, the categories of personal data processed, the recipients or categories of recipients to whom your data has been or will be disclosed, the planned storage period or the criteria for determining the storage period, the existence of a right to rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, objection object to the processing, lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, the source of your data if it was not collected by us from you, the existence of automated decision-making including profiling and, where applicable, meaningful information about the logic involved and the scope and intended impact of such processing on you, as well as your right to be informed of the safeguards pursuant to Art. 46 GDPR for the transfer of your data to third countries;

2. Right to rectification in accordance with Art. 16 GDPR

You have the right to demand the immediate rectification of incorrect data concerning you and/or the completion of incomplete data concerning you that is stored by us;

3. Right to erasure in accordance with Art. 17 GDPR

You have the right to request the deletion of your personal data if the requirements of Art. 17 para. 1 GDPR are met. However, this right does not apply, in particular, if the processing is necessary to exercise the right to freedom of expression and information, to fulfil a legal obligation, for reasons of public interest or to assert, exercise or defend legal claims;

4. right to restriction of processing in accordance with Art. 18 GDPR

You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data as long as the correctness of your data, which you dispute, is being verified, if you refuse to delete your data due to unauthorised data processing and instead request the restriction of the processing of your data, if you need your data to establish, exercise or defend legal claims, after we no longer need this data after the purpose has been achieved, or if you have objected to processing on grounds relating to your particular situation, pending the verification of whether our legitimate grounds override yours.

5. Right to be informed pursuant to Art. 19 GDPR

If you have asserted the right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing against the controller, the controller is obliged to communicate any rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing to each recipient to whom the personal data concerning you have been disclosed, unless this proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort. You have the right to be informed about these recipients.

6. Right to data portability in accordance with Art. 20 GDPR

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format and have the right to transmit those data to another controller, where technically feasible;

7. Right to revoke consent granted pursuant to Art. 7 (3) GDPR

You have the right to revoke consent to the processing of data at any time with effect for the future. In the event of revocation, we will delete the data concerned without delay, unless further processing can be based on a legal basis for processing without consent. The withdrawal of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal;

8. Right to lodge a complaint in accordance with Article 77 of the GDPR

Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with our supervisory authority if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR. Alternatively, you can contact the data protection authority at your place of residence, which will then forward your request to the competent authority.

Due to our registered office in Munich, the supervisory authority responsible for us is:

Bayerisches Landesamt für Datenschutzaufsicht (BayLDA), Promenade 27, D-91522 Ansbach

Note on the right of objection:

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR (Article 21 GDPR).

We will then no longer process the personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

VII. Further information and contacts

If you have any further questions about data protection, please contact us at the contact address given in section I above.