German Competition Law Attorney (UWG)

IVANOV.LAW advises and represents businesses in German competition law: legally compliant advertising, defense and enforcement of cease-and-desist claims under the UWG (Unfair Competition Act), preliminary injunctions, and litigation throughout Germany. Specialist attorney for intellectual property law with particular expertise in e-commerce, online marketing, and platform law.

Competition Law: Your Legal Protection in the German Market

An inadmissible advertising claim, misleading product representation, or unfair sales practice can quickly lead to costly cease-and-desist letters, preliminary injunctions, or damage claims under German law. At the same time, competitors may use unfair methods to gain advantages at your expense — particularly relevant for e-commerce businesses, online retailers, and foreign companies entering the German market.

We review your advertising proactively for legal compliance, defend against unjustified cease-and-desist letters, and enforce your claims against unfair competition. Through fast action and strategic advice, we secure your market position throughout Germany.

Competition Law Services

• Preventive Counsel: Legal review of advertising campaigns, product descriptions, sales promotions, terms and conditions, and withdrawal information under German competition law.
• Defense Against Cease-and-Desist Letters: Examination of legitimacy, negotiation with opposing parties, defense against excessive cost demands, and prevention of unnecessary undertakings.
• Enforcement of Your Rights: Cease-and-desist letters for unfair competition, preliminary injunctions, main proceedings, damages claims, and information claims.
• Comparative Advertising: Legal structuring of permissible comparative advertising and defense against inadmissible comparisons by competitors.
• Misleading Advertising: Review and structuring of advertising claims, health claims, environmental advertising, pricing information, and exclusivity statements.
• Unfair Commercial Practices: Action against aggressive sales methods, obstruction of competition, imitation and exploitation of reputation, and misleading promotions.
• E-Commerce and Online Trade: Legally compliant shop design, marketplace compliance for platforms such as Amazon and eBay, influencer marketing, and social media advertising.
• Court Representation: Representation before German courts nationwide, including urgent injunction matters and appeal proceedings.

Your Path to Legally Compliant Competition

1. Initial Assessment and Case Analysis: Detailed review of your situation, whether it concerns preventive compliance, a received cease-and-desist letter, or your own competition claims.
2. Legal Assessment and Strategy: Examination of the relevant facts under the German Act Against Unfair Competition (UWG) and development of a tailored legal strategy.
3. Out-of-Court Enforcement or Defense: Cease-and-desist letters to competitors, defense against unjustified demands, or negotiation of an efficient settlement where appropriate.
4. Preliminary Injunction in Urgent Cases: Fast court action to stop unfair practices immediately where urgency exists.
5. Main Court Proceedings: Representation in main proceedings to enforce claims for injunction, disclosure, damages, and reimbursement of costs.

Your Attorney for German Competition Law

Attorney Svetoslav Ivanov, LL.M., is a specialist lawyer for intellectual property law with extensive experience in competition and advertising disputes. The practice advises German and international businesses, with particular relevance for online retail, digital business models, and cross-border market activities targeting Germany.

Clients benefit from specialist-level legal analysis, direct communication, and nationwide representation before competent German courts. The goal is not generic compliance language, but practical legal positioning that protects your business and supports enforceable commercial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cease-and-desist letter under German competition law and how should I respond?

A cease-and-desist letter is an out-of-court demand to stop a specific conduct and to provide a binding cease-and-desist undertaking. Do not react hastily. Deadlines are often short, but not every letter is justified. The demand should be reviewed by a specialist attorney before anything is signed.

Received a warning letter yourself and the deadline is running? Send us the letter and tell us the deadline. For running deadlines you generally receive a reply on the same business day; we first check whether we can take on your case in time. Get urgent help: Legal warning received

What costs can arise in a competition law dispute?

Costs may include attorney fees, court fees, and in some cases damage claims or reimbursement claims based on the value in dispute. The financial exposure depends heavily on whether the matter is handled early and strategically.

How quickly must I act in competition law matters?

In German competition law, delay is dangerous. Violations should be addressed promptly. For preliminary injunctions in particular, urgency is essential. In practice, you should seek legal advice within a few days after learning of the issue.

Which advertising claims are legally permissible?

Advertising is generally permissible as long as it is not misleading, aggressive, or otherwise unfair. High-risk areas include unverifiable superlatives, misleading statements about product qualities or availability, hidden advertising, impermissible comparisons, and regulated health-related claims.

What is a preliminary injunction and when is it advisable?

A preliminary injunction is a fast-track court procedure designed to stop unfair competitive conduct immediately. It is particularly useful where there is ongoing harm and waiting for a full court action would cause serious commercial damage.

Can I take action against foreign competitors under German law?

Yes. German competition law can apply to foreign businesses if their conduct affects the German market. This is especially relevant for online retailers and international e-commerce operators selling or advertising into Germany.

How can I protect myself preventively against cease-and-desist letters?

The best protection is preventive legal review of advertising materials, product descriptions, online shops, terms and conditions, and sales campaigns. A structured compliance review is usually far more cost-effective than reacting after a dispute has escalated.

What are the most common legal mistakes in e-commerce and online marketing?

Typical problems include incomplete legal notices, flawed withdrawal information, misleading availability claims, unlawful price indications, manipulative reviews, missing advertising labels in influencer campaigns, and unclear comparison claims. Many of these issues can be avoided through early legal review.