(Unfair) trade practice and competition

The German and European competition laws have a huge impact on daily business life, especially in terms of IP protection, e-commerce, advertising and trusts. E.g., web shops should conform to consumer protection requirements by giving special information. Lawful General Terms of Sale and fair contracts should be provided. Also the content of advertisements and their method of circulation are controlled. Offences can lead to expensive proceedings initiated by competitors and their lawyers.

Last but not least, large mergers and other kinds of co-operations are controlled by the national and international anti-trust agencies.