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Markus Hecht

Dr. Markus Hecht

Counsel
Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH von Rechtsanwälten und Steuerberatern

Biography

Dr. Markus Hecht is a counsel of the Firm’s German Intellectual Property Group. His practice covers the full range of intellectual property law with an emphasis on trademark, design, domain name and unfair competition law litigation. Markus also advises on transactional matters including employee inventions law and handles parallel import cases. Markus completed his doctoral thesis on IP-infringements in Social Media Company Profiles and obtained a doctor's degree in law, Dr. iur. (PhD), from the University of Würzburg. Managing IP ranks Markus as "Rising IP Star" and he is, for example, also ranked as frequently recommended individual in trademark law and unfair competition law in JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms.

In WTR 1000 2006, clients note: “Markus Hecht is the key name to note. With a decade of experience and sharp commercial instincts, he brings a strategic edge to every engagement. His trusted counsel – especially on global portfolios and infringement cases – is known for its clarity and pragmatism.”

Practice Focus

Markus' practice focus is on all aspects of trademark, design and unfair competition law - both litigation and advice - and also includes domain name disputes. Markus frequently handles complex IP litigation matters and represents clients in front of court. His practice also covers non-traditional trademark disputes, including three dimensional marks, as well as other more exotic areas of IP law such as plant variety law. Markus has in-depth knowledge in the field of IP infringements in social media company profiles, which he also covered in his doctoral thesis. He frequently publishes articles on various IP issues and lectures on IP matters. Markus' expertise also covers major transactional as well as employee invention law matters. He also assists in the management of global trademark portfolios.

Professional Honors

  • Leading trademark professional, Germany (WTR 1000), Bronze Tier, 2026
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Germany for Intellectual Property Law and Litigation, 5th edition, 2026
  • Leading trademark professional, Germany (WTR 1000), 2025
  • Frequently recommended individual in trademark law and unfair competition law, JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms 2024/2025
  • Germany's Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution, Handelsblatt 2024
  • Notable Individual, Germany Trademark Rankings 2024, WIPR 2024
  • Frequently recommended individual in trademark law and unfair competition law, JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms 2023/2024
  • Frequently recommended individual in trademark law and unfair competition law, JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms 2022/2023
  • Rising IP Star, Managing IP, 2018-2024

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property & Copyright (GRUR) - Member

Admissions

  • Germany (2012)

Education

  • University of Würzburg (Dr. jur.) (2016)
  • Regional Court Freiburg (Assessor Exam) (2012)
  • University of Freiburg (Referendar Exam) (2010)

Languages

  • English
  • German

Previous Offices

  • Melbourne

Publications and Presentations

Publications

  • Author, Umweltbezogene Werbung: Darauf ist zu achten (Green Claim Advertising: What to look out for), Baker McKenzie Kompass Blog, 22 April 2024
  • Author, Werbung mit Leaks: Unzulässiges getarntes Marketing (Advertising with leaks: Inadmissible disguised marketing), Baker McKenzie Kompass Blog, 11 September 2023
  • Author, Werbung durch "Leaks" - Rechtliche Bewertung von getarntem Marketing (Advertising by means of leaks - legal assessment of disguised marketing), WRP 2022, 1473-1478
  • Author, IP-Adressen: Ein knappes und wertvolles Gut (IP addresses: A scarce and valuable asset), Baker McKenzie Kompass Blog, 2 February 2018
  • Co-author (with Birgit Clark and Rembert Niebel), German Federal Court of Justice confirms trademark protection for Ritter Sport's square chocolate packaging, Managing Intellectual Property, 20 October 2017
  • Author, "Der Schutz von Warenformen als Marke" (The protection of shapes of goods as a trademark), MarkenR 2017, 381-398
  • Co-author (with Michael Fammler), Analyse: Gerichte zeigen sich zunehmend restriktiv - Wie Formen dennoch als 3D-Marken geschützt werden können (Analysis: Courts are increasingly restrictive - How shapes can still be protected as 3D trademarks), LZ - Lebensmittel Zeitung, 5/2017, 3 February 2017

Geschäftsführer: Dr. Alexander Wolff, Dr. Oliver Socher, Dr. Christian Vocke
Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH von Rechtsanwälten und Steuerberatern is registered with the Local Court of Frankfurt/Main (registered seat) HRB 123975. It is associated with Baker & McKenzie International, a Verein organized under the laws of Switzerland.