“A premier patent litigation firm, GEISTWERT is led by five highly experienced and entrepreneurial partners and a client-oriented team set on achieving their clients’ business goals. Their collaboration is exceptional, both in terms of content and results, and they are always focused and driven in their approach.” The stellar group recently represented TeleTan, the holder of a core patent of authentication processes in online banking, in an infringement claim.

“In contentious proceedings relating to software development, Rainer Schultes, Constantin Kletzer and Alexander Schnider are goldmines of information”, and they all brought their A-game to the TeleTan dispute. Schultes is unfazed by the pressures of big-ticket disputes and translates complex matters into easily executable strategies, while Kletzer receives praise for his “reliable, astute and effective collaboration style. His quick wit and engaging manner make him great to work with.” “Alexander is a brilliant lawyer, not only because of his superior knowledge of the law, but also because of his commercial acumen and quick grasp of underlying business concerns.”

Together with ten further Austrian lawyers and patent attorneys, Rainer Schultes, Constantin Kletzer and Alexander Schnider of GEISTWERT were named as „Global Leaders“ in Austrian patent law matters.

GEISTWERT is a boutique firm offering dependable expertise in IT and related IP matters. The practice is noted for high-quality work in software contracts and game development. It additionally handles related IP aspects, especially copyright and trade mark matters. GEISTWERT’s further areas of activity include data protection and regulatory advice for tech companies. It is often seen advising technology startups as well as numerous clients in the media, entertainment and electronics industries. The team represents state-owned and private companies on both domestic and multi-jurisdictional matters.

What the team is known for: GEISTWERT is a well-known law firm offering an excellent IP practice comprising patent and trade mark-related advice, including portfolio management and infringement litigation. The law firm boasts additional experience in domain disputes as well as licence agreements and contentious as well as non-contentious copyright mandates. The team attracts clients from various industries, including gaming, food and drink, technology and energy.

Strengths: „All lawyers are super easy to work with and can shuffle matters around their own ranks to make sure that you get the best lawyer for your matter.“ „The team is super quick and its client service is impeccable.“ „GEISTWERT provides valuable insights and advice, especially from a commercial point of view and regarding possible legal traps.“ „The GEISTWERT partners are specialised in all fields of IP and thus can handle complex matters with enough manpower. The team never loses focus or the overview of the big picture and the economic background.“ „The firm’s pragmatism and dependability produce exceptional results also in international, complex and sophisticated matters and in front of the authorities and courts. The team pairs legal expertise with a hands-on approach.“

Rainer Schultes regularly advises clients from the automotive, pharmaceutical and media sectors on a variety of IP mandates, including trade mark and unfair competition claims. He additionally assists with international domain disputes. „Rainer Schultes is a highly capable lawyer.“

“The best thing about GEISTWERT is that they offer a team of five partners, all of whom are entrepreneurs. Due to their knowledge, attentiveness and aptitude for clearly communicating important facts, the team provides practical, IP-savvy assistance to an impressive roster of clients.”

“In Austria, Rainer Schultes and Constantin Kletzer are the go-to partners for trademark matters. For multinational corporations it is crucial that local partners have extensive expertise, are very familiar with local case law, and actively work to maintain a good relationship with in-house counsel. Rainer and Constantin accomplish this and more.”

[GEISTWERT’s] “five innovative founding partners and their diverse personalities” have shaped GEISTWERT into “a ground-breaking Austrian law firm that is virtually unrivalled on the market”. A prime pick for any and all branding matters, the team “has revolutionised the local landscape and acts on innovative cases that have yet to break ground in the courts”. As is evident from the amount of spontaneous feedback it attracts, the 2014-established outfit has worked hard to position itself as a premier destination and its efforts have not gone unnoticed. “It is not easy to impress new clients and convince them to work with you,” comments one foreign associate, “but the GEISTWERT team not only does that – it also carries on performing at an exceptional level day in, day out. Their interest in legal, business and technological developments guarantees innovative solutions to complex problems.”

Two of its stars are Rainer Schultes and Constantin Kletzer, both of whom “are incredibly knowledgeable and easy to work with. They anticipate the needs of clients before they even ask”. “Schultes has a perfect understanding of his field and an excellent approach to IP matters”; while Kletzer is a “fabulous lawyer who easily comprehends the reality of international business”.

As a firm, GEISTWERT received the following MIP IP Stars Firm Rankings 2022:

Patent contentious: Tier 1
Trade mark contentious: Tier 1
Trade mark prosecution: Tier 2
Copyright & related rights: Highly Recommended (only “highly recommended” and “recommended” available)

Gold – Firms: litigation and transactions: “A premier patent litigation firm, GEISTWERT is led by five highly experienced and entrepreneurial partners and a client-oriented team set on achieving their clients’ business goals. Their collaboration is exceptional, both in terms of content and results, and they are always focused and driven in their approach.” The stellar group recently represented TeleTan, the holder of a core patent of authentication processes in online banking, in an infringement claim. “In contentious proceedings relating to software development, Rainer Schultes, Constantin Kletzer and Alexander Schnider are goldmines of information”, and they all brought their A-game to the TeleTan dispute. Also on deck, Max Mosing and Juliane Messner have been working closely with Kletzer on behalf of Österreichische Post, the company responsible for postal service in the country, in technology transfer, licensing and monetisation matters.

„[Rainer] Schultes is unfazed by the pressures of big-ticket disputes and translates complex matters into easily executable strategies”.

Rainer Schultes was named a Patent star 2022 & Trade mark star 2022.

The boutique law firm GEISTWERT covers a broad range of data privacy and data protection issues, ‘pairing legal expertise with a hands-on approach.’ Juliane Messner, Max Mosing, Alexander Schnider, Rainer Schultes and Constantin Kletzer are the practice heads. The team supports clients with GDPR implementation or represents them in proceedings before the data protection authority and in court. The firm employs various legal tech innovations, such as a web-based data-protection-research and management-tool. Messner stands out as ‘an excellent data privacy and data protection lawyer’ together with Mosing a CIS – Certified Data Privacy Officer. Testimonials: “The team is uniquely good professionally. The partners are very sociable and work hand in hand. You always get feedback quickly and the requirements of the business are also taken into account.” “Geistwerts team is pairing legal expertise with a hands-on approach, leaving unnecessary formalities aside and immediately focusing on the relevant parts.” “Juliane Messner and Max Mosing both convinced us with their expertise and their focus on relevant matters.”