Insights & Guides
Practical knowledge from our core practice — trademark law, copyright law, unfair-competition law (UWG), family law and cross-cutting IP advice. Explained for businesses, private individuals and families. We're rolling out English-language articles step by step; clusters without EN articles yet will take you to the German pages.
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Unfair Competition Law
Practical knowledge on Austrian unfair-competition law (UWG) — misleading and comparative advertising, influencer marketing, the EmpCo Directive, cease-and-desist letters.
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Trademark Law
Articles on trademark filings in Austria, the EU and internationally. Word mark vs. combined word/figurative mark, searches, classes, costs and defence against infringement.
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Copyright Law
Articles and guides on Austrian copyright law — cease-and-desist letters, licences, AI-generated content, social media, online shops. Explained for businesses and private individuals alike.
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Family Law
Practical knowledge on custody, child and spousal maintenance, the guardianship court and adult-protection law — explained for parents and family members.
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IP & Commercial Law
Cross-cutting topics from intellectual property and commercial law.
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English-language articles
We're publishing English pieces step by step. New articles appear here as they are released.
Copyright Law Damages in copyright law — how is the claim calculated?
Licence analogy — how high are claims for copyright infringements really? Overview for clients in cease-and-desist and litigation.
Read article Copyright Law Using images and photos legally safely on websites and social media
Stock photos, Google image search, Pinterest, AI-generated images — which images may a business use, and when? A practical overview of licences, attribution and cease-and-desist traps.
Read article Copyright Law Open source software in the enterprise: licence compliance and risks
GPL, MIT, Apache, AGPL — open-source licences are no free pass. Which duties exist, what threatens on breach, and what businesses should check before every M&A audit.
Read article Copyright Law Storage media levy (SMV): AUME back-claims, refurbished devices, cloud storage and other demands
AUME (austromechana) claims the storage media levy retroactively from manufacturers and dealers — including on refurbished devices. What's legally disputed and how to defend.
Read article Copyright Law AI and copyright — the new risks for businesses in 2026
ChatGPT, Midjourney and the like produce text, images and video in seconds. What this means in copyright terms — training data, work quality, EU AI Act and concrete compliance.
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Unfair Competition Law Comparative advertising — when is it permitted, when unfair?
Comparative advertising is generally allowed in Austria — but tied to strict UWG conditions. What you may do, what the trap is.
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Unfair Competition Law EmpCo Directive: what changes for sustainability advertising in 2026
EU Directive 2024/825 (EmpCo) tightens the rules for environmental and social claims. What businesses in Austria must observe in advertising from 2026.
Read article Copyright Law Copyright cease-and-desist letter received — what now?
Copyright cease-and-desist letter in your inbox? Immediate legal help from Tonninger Schermaier & Partner, Vienna. Fast initial assessment on business days — within 24 hours at the latest.
Read article Unfair Competition Law Hidden advertising and influencer marketing — when disclosure is mandatory
When must an influencer post be disclosed as advertising? Which duties apply — and which risks await businesses that fail to comply.
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Trademark Law Filing a trademark in Austria — explained step by step
How does the trademark filing process work in Austria? We explain the search, class selection, filing with the Patent Office and registration — clearly, for businesses.
Read article Unfair Competition Law Misleading advertising — where the line between permitted and prohibited runs
What counts as misleading advertising under the Austrian UWG? Common case groups, classic risks in online commerce, and how businesses can protect themselves effectively.
Read article Trademark Law Trademark filing — what does it cost in Austria, the EU and internationally?
What does a trademark filing cost? Flat fee plus office fees — transparently explained for Austria, the EU and international protection.
Read article Trademark Law Trademark infringement — cease-and-desist letter received, what to do?
A cease-and-desist letter for trademark infringement must be taken seriously. What to do immediately, which mistakes to avoid — and how we defend you.
Read article Unfair Competition Law UWG cease-and-desist received — what to do immediately
A UWG cease-and-desist is no minor matter. What to do immediately, which mistakes to avoid and how a modified undertaking protects you.
Read article Trademark Law Trademark search — why it's essential before every filing
A trademark search uncovers conflicting marks before you file. What it covers, what it costs — and which risks it prevents.
Read article Trademark Law Word mark or combined word/figurative mark? — what you should really protect
A word mark protects only the lettering, a combined mark the logo. Which variant makes sense for your brand — and when filing both in parallel pays off.
Read articleA concrete legal question?
An article can't resolve every constellation. In a short initial conversation we look at your situation — free of charge and non-binding.