Businesses use protected material in websites, software, advertising, publications and training. We assess whether the necessary rights cover the intended use and advise on licences and infringement disputes. Authorship, ownership of copies and permission to exploit content are separate questions.

What we assess

The scope of a licence should cover media, duration, territories, adaptations and third-party use where required. An online source or an agency invoice does not automatically provide sufficient rights. When a demand arrives, preserving the evidence and checking the rights chain are essential before admitting liability or giving an undertaking.

Four practical examples

Illustrative scenarios, not accounts of client matters. The appropriate response depends on the documents, applicable law and procedural position.

A photograph on a company website

A business receives a licensing demand. We check the image's source, the claimant's rights and the use made. Removing the image may limit ongoing exposure but does not by itself resolve past claims.

Marketing assets from an agency

A campaign includes photographs, graphics and music. The company needs rights for the actual channels, territories and duration. Third-party licences and restrictions should be documented before the campaign expands.

Software developed by a contractor

The business wants to modify and transfer a program. Contractual rights, source access and third-party components are assessed. Possession of the files does not necessarily establish permission for every planned exploitation.

A disputed cease-and-desist undertaking

A rights holder requests a broad contractual commitment. Scope, conduct covered and potential penalties are reviewed before signature. A tailored response should address substantiated infringement without creating unnecessary future restrictions.

Documents that help

The material concerned, creation and commissioning documents, licences, publication records, screenshots and any infringement notice.

From assessment to the next step

We first distinguish established facts from disputed allegations and identify any step needed to preserve rights. The legal route is then assessed against the commercial objective, available evidence and potential cost. Where technical or foreign-law input is required, responsibilities are coordinated before further work is commissioned. Negotiation, formal proceedings and practical implementation are considered together; a favourable legal position still needs a workable route to the intended result.

Explore all practice areas · Process and fees

Discuss your matter

Tell us the parties involved, your objective and any deadlines. Our main office is in Hanover, Lower Saxony. We advise on German-law matters nationwide and coordinate cross-border work with locally qualified counsel where required.

Send an enquiry — all fields optional · +49 511 3573560

We check conflicts and agree the scope and fees before accepting instructions. An enquiry alone does not create an engagement or preserve a deadline.