Competition law

Competition law is intended to protect competitors, consumers and other market participants from unfair business practices. However, the increasing regulation of business conduct and behavior does not always make it easy to meet these requirements.

The regulations relevant to correct conduct can be found both in the Unfair Competition Act (UWG) and in various other laws that are recognized as market conduct rules.

Avoid mistakes

Whether online or offline: Fair trading law has long played an important role in business transactions. Every entrepreneur can assert claims against competitors under the Unfair Competition Act. Sometimes all it takes is a missing telephone number in a competitor’s legal notice.

To prevent such seemingly trivial errors from creeping into eBay, Amazon or your online store, it is worth checking your entire website or even just the ordering process. For example, we can also check your general terms and conditions or terms of use, your privacy policy or your legal notice. We are happy to assist you right from the creation of your website. In this way, you can avoid legal errors from the outset and significantly reduce the risk of warnings under competition law.

Competition law also means: Correct behavior on the market

Competition law also determines, among other things, the limits of one’s own market behavior. For example, special “rules of the game” apply to entire sectors such as telemarketing or distance selling. Only those who adhere to it will reduce the risk of being sued by competitors or consumer protection associations. In view of the usually high amounts in dispute in competition law proceedings, this should be in the interest of every entrepreneur.

Enforcement in competition law

Quite a few companies have already tried to make a sport out of troubleshooting (e.g. for incorrect imprint information). As a result, several proceedings have already been brought against the mostly surprised recipients of the allegations. In view of the sometimes considerable costs of such a procedure, it should be in the interest of every company to avoid mistakes.

Have you received a warning letter from a competitor or a consumer protection association? Stay calm and, above all, react correctly: Have the warning letter checked by a lawyer – claims are often wrongly asserted or the damages are set far too high.

Or do you notice that one of your competitors is using unfair methods to gain an advantage with consumers? Here, too, it is worth considering a course of action.

We are happy to support you in enforcing your competition law claims in and out of court.

We are based in Bonn, at Kaiserstraße 1a, and serve companies throughout Germany. Because deadlines under competition law are tight, if you receive a cease-and-desist letter or a preliminary injunction, you can reach us by phone at short notice at +49 228 387 560 200; we will then hold the meeting at our offices in Bonn or via video conference.