Austria: Schoenherr awarded 2022 Austrian Impact Case of the Year by Managing IP

On 15 June, Managing IP held its annual awards ceremony recognising outstanding firms within several IP practice areas and over 50 jurisdictions. Schoenherr was announced the winner of the Austrian Impact Case of the Year for attaining a landmark decision. Schoenherr represented an Austrian wine cask crafter in the groundbreaking proceedings based on a counterclaim before the Vienna Commercial Court (serving as EU Trademark Court), for the revocation of an EU trademark liable to mislead the public as a consequence of its use. The revoked trademark falsely referred to a company tradition ("Pauscha Austria – since 1975"), which the owner could not claim for its products. The Schoenherr team consisted of Christian Schumacher (partner, lead) and Marie Hornyik (associate).

"It is a great pleasure to see our IP team's efforts being recognised, especially for navigating uncharted waters", said Christian Schumacher. "With decisions like this, we are setting new standards in trademark law, and achieving milestones for our clients."

Schoenherr's Austrian IP practice is consistently ranked top tier by legal directories and publications such as JUVE, Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and WTR 1000. Working closely with legal specialists from other Schoenherr practice groups and offices across CEE, the IP team advises clients in protecting, marketing, defending, and managing intellectual property.

Managing IP magazine, a leading source of news and analysis on intellectual property development worldwide annually recognises outstanding IP law firms across the globe. The distinction "Impact Case of the Year" is granted to shed light on the most challenging and innovative intellectual property matters conducted within the past year, with nominations based on the evaluation of submissions, interviews, and independent research findings.