Services · Leistungen
As copyright lawyers in Germany, we support creators, rights holders and users at every stage – from the first idea through contract and exploitation to enforcement in court. Our focus is copyright and media law. Michael Horak and Julia Ziegeler are certified specialist lawyers for copyright and media law (Fachanwalt); most of our lawyers are certified specialists or have completed the specialist lawyer training (Fachanwaltslehrgang) in copyright and media law.
Advice and opinions
Is a work protected, who owns the rights, is a use covered by an exception?
Contracts and licensing
Drafting, review and negotiation of licence and production agreements.
Enforcement and defence
Cease-and-desist letters, preliminary injunctions, main proceedings.
International matters
Cross-border licensing, conflict of laws, enforcement in the EU, arbitration.
Copyright advice in Germany
We answer copyright questions before a publication, production or investment: Is the work protected under German copyright law? Who holds the rights? Is the intended use covered by a statutory exception such as quotation or pastiche? How can content created with the help of AI be secured, and what do the text and data mining rules mean for your training data? We prepare legal assessments and opinions on literary, musical, visual and film works, design and art, as well as software and databases. An overview of the legal basics is available under German copyright law explained.
Contract drafting and review
We draft, review and negotiate agreements across the entire field of copyright contract law, for example:
- licence, publishing, editing and publishing administration agreements
- artist, label licensing (Bandübernahme), producer, distribution agreements
- performance, concert and touring agreements
- screenplay, option, film production and co-production agreements for film, TV and streaming
- management, agency, consultancy, promotion, media partnership and merchandising agreements
- software, SaaS, database and content licences, agency and creative services agreements
- employment and freelance contracts with IP clauses
More on licensing in Germany and copyright contracts.
Rights clearance
Before a film is released, a book printed, a campaign launched or an album published, we check whether all necessary rights are in place: music, photographs, quotations, footage, samples, trade marks, likenesses and locations. We identify rights holders, obtain licences and document the chain of title – also as a basis for errors and omissions (E&O) insurance and for distributors.
IP due diligence
In M&A transactions, investments, catalogue acquisitions (for example music or film catalogues) and financings, we analyse the existence, ownership, term and encumbrances of copyrights, related rights and rights of use, review licence and exploitation agreements as well as pending disputes, and assess the risks. Together with our patent attorneys, industrial property rights can be included.
Licensing and negotiation
We develop licensing models, calculate fees and negotiate for authors and artists with publishers, labels, production and distribution companies – and, conversely, for exploiters with creatives. This includes claims to equitable remuneration, additional remuneration and information under Sections 32 et seq. of the German Copyright Act.
Cease-and-desist letters, preliminary injunctions and litigation
We enforce claims for injunctive relief, information and damages and defend against unjustified claims – out of court by cease-and-desist letter (Abmahnung) and undertaking to cease and desist, in summary proceedings by preliminary injunction or protective letter (Schutzschrift), and in main proceedings before the German regional courts. Details: Copyright infringement Germany.
Arbitration and mediation
Particularly in international licence and production agreements, arbitration offers confidentiality, expertise and worldwide enforceability. We draft arbitration clauses and represent clients in arbitral proceedings, for example under the rules of the German Arbitration Institute (DIS) or the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, as well as in mediations and domain name disputes. See International.
Collecting societies
We advise on membership agreements, work registrations and distributions with GEMA, GVL, VG Wort, VG Bild-Kunst and other societies, on tariffs and collective agreements under the Collecting Societies Act (VGG), and on disputes, including proceedings before the arbitration board at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA).
Deposit and evidence
Because copyright arises without registration, proof of authorship and date of creation is often decisive. Through our service kreativtresor.de, manuscripts, compositions, scripts, concepts and designs can be deposited with a date record.
Who we act for
Artists, musicians, composers, lyricists, authors, photographers, designers, actors and models; media, publishing, production and distribution companies of all sizes; SMEs, corporate groups, institutions and public bodies. See Industries and Our lawyers.
Frequently asked questions
Do you tell me the costs in advance?
Yes. Before you instruct us, we explain the expected costs – either based on the German Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (RVG) or on an agreed fee.
Can you work with our in-house counsel or foreign law firm?
Yes. We regularly work alongside in-house legal teams and foreign counsel and report in English.
How can we help?
Call +49 511 35 73 56-0, email info@dieurheberrechtler.de or visit copylawyers.com.
Deutsche Fassung: Leistungen