Dr. Geert Johann Seelig

Dr. Geert Johann Seelig is partner in the Service Line IP/IT. He has more than 20 years’ experience on advising national and international clients in all matters relating to intellectual property covering the development of filing strategies as well as litigation, including cross-border litigation and IP-related issues in the context of acquisitions.

IP & Copyright Law
IT Law

Following his studies in Heidelberg and Freiburg, Germany, he received his doctorate in copyright law in 1996 and was admitted to the bar in 1997. He then worked for four years as in-house counsel for Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH in the trademark and patent department, which he also managed. He joined Luther in 2006 and since then has been providing advice in the area of intellectual property law focusing on trademark rights, competition law, copyright law and patent law.

• Best Lawyers (2020): Award in "Intellectual Property Law"
• WTR 1000 (2020): Ranked in "Trade Marks" (Bronze Ranking) (“has an excellent understanding of his patrons’ industries. This allows him to go beyond the legalities and give a commercially aware assessment of their position in any given scenario. He works in a quick turnaround time and never sits on the fence when giving advice – his counsel is very valuable in this fast-paced environment.”)
• The Legal 500 Germany (2019/2020): The Legal 500 Germany (2019/2020): Mentioned in "Intellectual Property" - Trademark and Competition Law
• Best Lawyers (2018): Award in "Intellectual Property Law "
• The Legal 500 Germany (2018): Recommendation in the category "Intellectual Property, Trademark and Competition Law"
• JUVE Guide (2018/2019): Mention in the category "Trademarks & Design Law" ("competent in industrial property law, stringent and collegial", competitor)
• The Legal 500 Germany (2018): Recommendation in the field of "Intellectual Property, Trademark and Competition Law"; "Geert Johann Seelig succeeded in expanding the mandate for Warsteiner whose entire brand portfolio he now manages. The brewery's ongoing advice also includes the strategic further development of brands and designs and support with licensing agreements."
• World Trademark Review (WTR) (2018): "Geert Johann Seelig’s stint working in-house at Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken furnished him with a resolute understanding of commercial realities and how to convey complex legal concepts to busy business executives. He now plies his trade at Luther."
• Best Lawyers (2018): Listed in the category "Intellectual Property Law"
• JUVE Guide (2017/2018): trademark and registered design law, competition law "very good trademark and competition lawyer, a good colleague even in difficult proceedings", "skilled negotiator, but also adamant in proceedings", "very competent and solution-oriented", competitor
• WTR 1000 (2017): Ranked in Germany - At Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft, prosecution and transactional sage Geert Johann Seelig shrewdly manages worldwide portfolios and knows how to get signatures on the dotted line of licensing and franchise agreements.
• The Legal 500 Germany (2017): Recommendation in the field of "Intellectual Property, Trademark and Competition Law"
• Best Lawyers (2017): Listed in the category "Intellectual Property Law"
• JUVE Guide (2016/2017): Listed under trademark and competition law.
• Best Lawyers - Deutschlands beste Anwälte (2016): Listed in "Intellectual Property Law"
• The Legal 500 Germany (2016): Listed in "Trade marks (including competition)": "Geert
  Johann Seelig in Hamburg is recommended."
• The Legal 500 Germany (2015): Recommendation in the field of "Intellectual Property, Trademark and Competition Law"
• JUVE Guide (2015/2016): Ranking in the category trademark and registered design law/competition law having a "very efficient conduct of a case with strategical foresight", "high level of expertise in trademark matters", Competitor
• Chambers Europe (2015): Listed in the category "Intellectual Property"; Geert Johann Seelig is described as a lawyer that has "extensive experience in ligitiation matters regarding trademark rights, competition law, patent and copyright law."
• Chambers Global (2015): Listed in the category "Intellectual Property: Trademark & Unfair Competition"
• EXPERTGUIDES LMG RISING STARS 2015: Listed under "Trademark Experts in Germany"
• JUVE Guide (2014/2015): Ranking in the category "trademark and registered design law/competition law" as a lawyer who is frequently recommended (competitor: "adept negotiator")
• Best Lawyers (2015): Listed in the category "Intellectual Property Law"
• Chambers Global (2014): Ranking in the category "intellectual property" Geert Johann Seelig in Hamburg is described as "strong in IP - fast, thorough and always reachable for discussions."
• JUVE Guide (since 2011/2012): Ranking in the category "trademark and registered design law/competition law" as a lawyer who is frequently recommended (competitor: "efficient and good", "skillfull negotiator"; client: "very good comprehension of the matter at hand")
• Chambers Europe (2011, 2013, 2014): Ranking in the category "intellectual property: trade mark & unfair competition"
• JUVE Guide (2004-2010): Ranking in the category "trademark and registered design law" as a lawyer who is well-known in the market
• Legal Experts Intellectual Property 2011 (p. 181 Legal Experts EMEA (2011): Listing
• Law firms in Germany. A selection of German commercial lawyers (11 Ed. 2010 and 12 Ed. 2011): Ranking in the category IP and media
• Legal Experts Europe, Middle East & Africa (2012, 2013): Listing
• European Legal 500 (US Special Edition 2007): Listing

• Advising an internationally active brewery on trademark, advertising, press/media law issues
• Advising a worldwide leading fittings manufacturer on legal matters, in particular managing of an international trademark portfolio
• Continuing advice to one of Germany’s largest privately owned PR and Social Media agencies on copyright and advertising law
• Advising the University of Hanover on patent law issues
• Representing an international tobacco company concerning unfair competition issues, advertising law, trademark application proceedings and litigation matters regarding trademark rights
• Enforcement of patents of an electro technical company through legal proceedings
• Implementing a globally orientated trademark strategy for a global active chemical company
• Continuing advice to an online streaming service regarding Germany in relation to copyright, media and competition law (handling launch and current presence on German market)
• Defending an international tyre manufacturer in competition and copyright law litigation proceedings
• Advising an international navigation software developer and appliance manufacturer in cross-border litigation matters

• Board member of the Moser Foundation (Jesse Carl Moser and wife Gertrud Moser Foundation)
• Member of the Advisory Board of Komponisten-Quartier Hamburg e.V.
• Member of the Legal Committee of the Deutscher Segler-Verband e.V. (German Sailors' Association).
• International Trademark Association (INTA), member of INTA General Trademark Enforcement Matters Subcommittee
• German Association for Intellectual Property Rights and Copyrights (GRUR), (German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property and Copyright e.V.) (GRUR))