Prof. Dr. Christian Osterrieth
He is an outstanding litigator who understands the substance.
Chambers Europe and Global 2020
Of Counsel
Christian Osterrieth has worked as an attorney since 1984. Since 1986 he has practiced exclusively in the field of national, European and international intellectual property law (technology law, trademark law and unfair competition law) and specializes in patent and trademark litigation as well as licensing.
Christian represents major and global clients in many technology driven industries, including electronics, automotive, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. His work is particularly focused on the development and implementation of litigation strategies in multinational patent litigation.
Following his second State Exam, Christian studied French and international intellectual property law at the Universities of Constancy and of Paris II (Université de Droit, d’Economie et des Sciences Sociales).
He is the author and co-author of various books and articles on intellectual property law and is a frequent speaker at international conferences relating to patent law, trademark law and licensing. In addition, Christian is honorary professor for patent law at the University of Constance and guest professor at the Universities of Strasbourg (CEIPI), France and Haifa, Israel.
From 2002 to 2004 he was President of the LES Licensing Executives Society in Germany and has acted as Vice-President of LES International (LESI) from 2012 to 2014. He is a member of the patent committee of GRUR, the German Intellectual Property Association, chairman of the IP Committee of the German Bar Association and a member of the patent committee of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE).
-
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Advising a major German car manufacturer on numerous aspects of patent law and unfair competition law
- Advising a global market leader in medical diagnostics and medical devices during extensive patent law and trade secrets litigation
- Advising a global pharmaceutical company on questions of patent law
- Advising a major German car manufacturer in relation to several patent law issues
- Representing a large German home appliances company in numerous patent litigation cases and advising on several issues of patent law
- Representing one of the world’s leading packaging suppliers in a large patent litigation case with one of its major competitors
-
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- German Bar Association, Chairman of the IP Committee
- Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), member of the Patent Committee
- German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR)
- Licensing Executives Society (LES)
- International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)
- Association des Praticiens du Droit des Marques et des Modèles (APRAM)
- International Association for the Advancement of Teaching and Research in Intellectual Property (ATRIP)
- European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW)
- Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)
- The Intellectual Property Lawyers’ Organisation (TIPLO)
- Association of Intellectual Property Experts (VPP)
-
PUBLICATIONS
- Osterrieth, Patentrecht 6. Auflage (2021)
- Osterrieth in: Benkard, EPÜ, 3. Auflage (2019), Art. 66-68, 70
- Pfaff/Osterrieth, Lizenzverträge, 4. Auflage (2018)
- Osterrieth: Technischer Fortschritt – eine Herausforderung für das Patentrecht? Zum Gebot der Verhältnismäßigkeit beim patentrechtlichen Unterlassungsanspruch, GRUR 2018, 985
- Osterrieth in: Der Verhältnismäßigkeitsgrundsatz im Patentrecht, in: 80 Jahre Patentgerichtsbarkeit in Düsseldorf, Festschrift 2016, S. 415 – 428
- Osterrieth/Schönig, in: Fezer/Büscher/Obergfell, UWG Kommentar, 3. Auflage (2016), Band I. Spezialthema S1 allgemeine Marktbehinderung
- Osterrieth (Mitherausgeber), Marktkommunikation zwischen Geistigem Eigentum und Verbraucherschutz, Festschrift für Karl-Heinz Fezer zum 70. Geburtstag, 2016
- Osterrieth, Die Aufbrauchfrist im Patentrecht, in: Festschrift für Karl-Heinz Fezer, 2016, S. 1035 – 1047
- Osterrieth, Patent Enforcement in Germany, in: Patent Enforcement Worldwide, Writings in Honour auf Dieter Stauder, 3 ed. 2015 S. 111 – 143
- Osterrieth, in: Handbuch des Fachanwalts für Gewerblichen Rechtsschutz (Introduction Patent Law), 5th edition (2015)
- Osterrieth, Patentrecht 5. Auflage (2015)
- Osterrieth, Vom Innovationssprung zum inkrementellen Fortschritt: Was bleibt von der “erfinderischen Tätigkeit”?, in Leible/Ohly/Zech: Wissen-Märkte-Eigentum, Mohr Siebeck (2010)
- Osterrieth, Patent-Trolls in Europa – Braucht das Patentrecht neue Grenzen?, GRUR 2009, 540
- Osterrieth/Köhler/Haft (Herausgeber), Patentrecht, Festschrift für Thomas Reimann zum 65. Geburtstag (2009)
- Osterrieth/Haft, Grenzüberschreitende Patentverletzungsverfahren in Europa in: Festschrift 50 Jahre VPP, p. 372 ff (2005)
- Osterrieth, Die Schutzfähigkeit von Geschirr- und Waschmitteltabs nach der Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofs, European Law Report 2004, No. 6, 251
- Osterrieth/Oschmann, Aktuelle Fragen des gewerblichen Rechtsschutzes (I), Die Abschaffung des Hochschullehrerprivilegs und ihre praktischen Auswirkungen, Medizinprodukterecht (2002), 18
- Osterrieth/Köhler, Aktuelle Fragen des gewerblichen Rechtsschutzes (II) – Patente erfolgreich durchsetzen, Medizinprodukterecht (2002), 57-61
- Osterrieth, Geschmacksmuster-Schutz: Neuere Entwicklungen der Rechtsprechung zum Schutz für Kfz-Ersatzteile und neuere Entwicklungen bei der Schadensberechnung, VPP-Rundbrief Nr.2/2001, 52
- Osterrieth in: Der UNCTAD Code of Conduct on Transfer of Technology und die Revision der Pariser Verbandsübereinkunft, Diss. Universität Konstanz 1986
- Osterrieth (Mitherausgeber gemeinsam mit Professor Dr. Christoph Ann, LES-Schriftenreihe Lizenzen und Lizenzvertragsrecht
-
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- A frequent speaker at international and national conferences on patent law
- Lecturer at the University of Düsseldorf on intellectual property law
- Guest professor at the Universities of Strasbourg (CEIPI) France and Haifa, Israel
-
WHAT OTHERS SAY
- “Osterrieth employs his four decades of experience to meticulously analyse issues and provide wise advice to global players in an array of industries.” IAM Patent 1000 2024
- Thought Leader (Patents), Who is Who Legal 2022
- “Recognized as “Notable Practitioner” and seen as “a renowned practitioner” in the market, Christian Osterrieth acts on patent enforcement and infringement proceedings. He is regularly involved in patent cases relating to pharmaceutical products and medical devices.” Chambers Europe and Global Guide 2022
- “Christian Osterrieth enjoys a strong reputation for his extensive experience advising global companies on licensing deals and sophisticated patent disputes.” Global Guide, IP (Patents), Who is Who Legal 2022
- “Christian Osterrieth is a “leading name” in the market according to sources who describe him as a “great patent litigator”.” National Guide, Germany (Patents), Who is Who Legal 2022
- IP Star (Patent, Germany) Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars 2021
- „luminary Christian Osterrieth who continues to guide the firm and devise astute global litigation strategies has been litigating for 35 years and knows French patent procedure inside out.” IAM Patent 1000 2021
- “a brilliant lawyer who is top of his generation in the field”. He “has a fantastic reputation and knows how to handle even the most complex litigation” – Thought Leader in Germany (Patents), Who is Who Legal 2020
- Managing Intellectual Property IP Star (Patent, Germany), 2020
- “He is an outstanding litigator who understands the substance.”, Chambers Europe and Global 2020
- “very quick to respond, highly knowledgeable and able to understand priority setting.”, Chambers Global 2019
- “particularly experienced litigator”, Legal 500 2018
- “Christian Osterrieth belongs to the leading individuals of the Team”, Legal 500 Deutschland 2018
- “He provides excellent advice with respect to the licensing and litigation of SEPs and has a unique understanding of the proportionality of injunctions.” IAM Patent 1000 2018
- “Christian Osterrieth regularly represents large companies in patent infringement proceedings and is active in sectors such as electronics, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. He offers additional expertise in licensing matters.” Chambers Global 2018
- “Christian Osterrieth is a smooth operator on both sides of the contentious/non-contentious divide; life sciences is his forte.”, IAM Patent 1000 2017
- Ranked for Intellectual Property in Chambers Global 2017
- “extensive knowledge of IP law”, WHO’S WHO Legal Germany 2017
- Often recommended for Patent Law, JUVE Handbuch 2016/2017
- “knowledgeable”, Legal 500 2016
Visit us
Visiting address:
Steinstraße 20
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
Postal address:
Steinstraße 20
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
The facts
Languages
Education
University of Konstanz (PhD, 1986)
University of Paris II (Law 1982)
University of Konstanz (Law, 1979)