013./14.01.2012 – SNB Partner Meeting in Shanghai – The law firm´s partners held their annual partner meeting again in Shanghai. Among the topics it was resolved to expand the law firm´s future Asian strategy. Details will be announced soon. 09.12.2011 - In-house Seminar on M&A of Technology Companies in China We will organize a seminar in Shanghai regarding the M&A of technology companies in China. Lawyers of our Shanghai office will speak on the corporate, tax and IP aspects of such transactions. If you are interested in this topic, please send us a mail under snb@snblaw.com in order to obtain the seminar program. 21.09.2011 – DCW Seminar „Arbitration in China“ – At seminars in Cologne and Stuttgart, which were arranged by Deutsch-Chinesische Wirtschaftsvereinigung e.V. in cooperation with the local Chambers of Commerce Mr. Axel Neelmeier reported about practical aspects of arbitration in China with an emphasis on CIETAC arbitrations. 15.09.2011 – New President of Chinesisch-Deutsche Gesellschaft e.V. – The Chinesisch-Deutsche Gesellschaft e.V. on its annual meeting has today elected our partner, Mr. Axel Neelmeier as its new president. 01.09.2011 - Federal Court of Justice on the receipt of a managing director´s resignation In a lawsuit negotiated at the Federal Court of Justice the court had to decide on the ambiguous requirements for the receipt of a managing director´s resignation notice in a limited company (GmbH). The court decided in favor of our client and gave instructions to the commercial register for immediate registration of such resignation. The full text of the decision including a comment of our Dr. Mark-Alexander Huth has been published in the current edition of the GmbH-Rundschau dated 01.09.2011 (volume 17, page 925). 04.07.2011 –MOFCOM visits SNB- A delegation consisting of 6 officers from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce visited SNB to obtain more specific information about the structure, philosophy and arbitration rules of CEAC. In a vivid discussion with the speaker of CEAC´s management board, our partner Axel Neelmeier , issues related to arbitration in business transactions between the People´s Republic of China and other countries, especially from Europe were discussed. An image can be found here . 01.06.2011 – Hamburg is a Leading Arbitration Hub – the monthly journal JUVE Rechtsmarkt in its 06/2011 edition reports about Hamburg as a hub in international arbitration. A focus was laid on the commodity arbitration institutions, the Arbitration Court of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, the GMAA and on CEAC – Chinese European Arbitration Centre GmbH, of which our partner Axel Neelmeier is the Speaker of the Board of Directors. You may download the article here . 20.05.2011 – China Arbitration Day 2011 in Hamburg - CEAC – Chinese European Arbitration Centre and CIETAC – Chinese International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission will jointly organize the China Arbitration Day 2011 in Hamburg on 20.05.2011. Several speakers will introduce to arbitration in business relations between Germany and China. In the afternoon topics will be further discussed in two workshops. Mr. Axel Neelmeier being the Speaker of the Board of CEAC will chair the event. A dinner at Shanghai Yu Yuan Teahouse will round off the event. You may download the invitation and the registration forms here. 15.12.2010 - "Mitteilungen der deutschen Patentanwälte" - Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil and Dr. Paolo Beconcini have published an article in the newest edition of this leading German IP magazine presenting an overview over legal remedies of patent holders against patent infringements in China, taking the latest legislation and relevant legal practice into consideration. A summary may be found here 16.11.2010 - 10th German-Chinese Dialogue on Rule of Law – Axel Neelmeier on behalf of SNB attended the 10th German-Chinese Dialogue on Rule of Law. The delegations were headed by Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheuser-Schnarrenberger and Song Dahan, Minister of the Legal Department of the State Council of the People´s Republic of China. Besides the Law of Unfair Competition the Law on Attorneys of the People´s Republic of China was discussed. October 2010 – Patent Infringement Litigation in China - Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil M.A. and Dr. Paolo Beconcini have published an article in volume 10/2010 of the magazine „Zeitschrift für Immaterialgüter-, Informations- und Wettbewerbsrecht“ regarding „Latest Developments in Patent Infringement Litigation in China“. An abstract is available at www.sic-online.ch 26.08.2010 – Leaflet on Construction Law in China – SNB has drafted a leaflet on Construction Law in China. You may ask for your personal copy at snb@snblaw.com 23.06.2010 – HARTING Technology Group wins patent infringement case in China – Defending patents in China successfully is possible. SNB assisted HARTING Technology Group successfully in a patent infringement case before Shanghai 2nd Intermediate People´s Court. You may download detail information and the lesson to be learned here . 27.04.2010 – Seminar on "Claim Enforcement in China Business" - NordLB and IHK Hannover will arrange a seminar at which RA Axel Neelmeier will report about arbitration with Chinese parties, especially about the new Chinese European Arbitration Centre, Hamburg (www.ceac-arbitration.com ). 16.04.2010 - Special Edition Asia-Pacific China Contact May 2010 on the occasion of the 12th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business to be held in Singapore - Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil has contributed an article about the planned free trade agreement between the European Union and Vietnam to the magazine which is to be published in May 2010. You can download a pdf-version of this article here . 06.01.2010 – Large scale investment by ARWEN Group, Madrid, in Tianjin/China – Spanish ARWEN Group has concluded an investment contract, under which during the next years a business park with an area of 6 square kilometers shall be built in the vicinity of Tianjin /China. The park shall not only provide extensive services to the companies attracted to the park but at the same time be a milestone in terms of “ETG Values”, i.e. ecological, technical and geobiological properties. SNB advises ARWEN Group on this investment. 05.01.2010 - NEOPLAN VS. ZONDA CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN IP-CASES OF 2009 WORLDWIDE - Managing Intellectual Property, one of the most renowned international IP journals, has elected the design patent infringement lawsuit of Neoplan Bus GmbH (MAN Group) against the Chinese bus maker Zonda as one of the top ten IP-cases worldwide in 2009. Schulz Noack Bärwinkel has represented and advised Neoplan Bus GmbH and the MAN Group in this lawsuit. Neoplan won the infringement lawsuit and was awarded damages in the equivalent of two million Euros. This is the first time that a German vehicle manufacturer wins a design patent infringement lawsuit in China. You may download an article of Managing IP here. 15.12.2009 - IT procurement and economic crisis – important for authorities and tenderers Our lawyers Corinna Rindfleisch and Steffen Berner highlighted the contractual arrangements and pitfalls to be observed during the process of procurement. You may download their speeches here: Speech: Corinna Rindfleisch and Steffen Berner Speech "IT Beschaffung und Vergabe" 16.10.2009 – Vietnam Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil has contributed an article about advantages of dispute resolution in Vietnam through the Pacific International Arbitration Centre (PIAC) for the "Vietnam Special" in the business magazine Aktuell Asia 10/2009. You may download the article here . 16.10.2009 – Asset Deal in China Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil has published an article about pros and cons of a corporate acquisition in China in the form of an asset deal for the magazine China Contact 11/2009. You may download the article here . 21.09.2009 – "What to do, if my customer does not pay?" At a seminar jointly organized with the Consulate General of the People´s Republic of China and focusing on Chinese corporations RA Axel Neelmeier and mag. Iur. Zeng Jian will hold a lecture about suitable tools to avoid non-payment by customers. In addition an overview about dispute resolution through arbitration will be given. 22.04./06.05.2009 - SNB Seminar on MoMiG SNB will inform its clients on fundamental changes to the law of limited liability companies, which MoMiG has brought along. Seminars will be held in Rostock on 22.04.2009 and in Hamburg on 06.05.2009. You may download the corresponding Corporate Newsletter here . Late registrations for the seminar in Hamburg are possible until 30.04.2009 under u.hinz@snb-law.de 31.03.2009 - Conference on Chinese Arbitration in Brussels At the conference on "Arbitration in China" on 31.03.2009 in Brussels Mr. Axel Neelmeier held a speech on "CIETAC Arbitration in Comparison to other Asian Institutions". The conference was organized by AIA Ð Association For International Arbitration. Conference paper are published in a book which can be obtained from AIA at www.arbitration-adr.org 31.03.2009 - Mag. Johannes Weilharter has been elected as Vice Chair to the Construction Working Group of the Representative Office of the European Commission in Shanghai. In this position, he will be responsible to assist the Chair in developing and promoting working group activities, drafting a position paper ("Official White Paper of the European Commission in China") as well as communicating working group messages to key interlocutors (Chinese Ministries, etc). In addition, Mag. Johannes Weilharter will act as spokes person and represent the construction working group towards the Chinese Media. 10.02.2009 – Arbitration in China At a seminar jointly organized with German Asia-Pacific Business Association Mr. Axel Neelmeier reported about arbitration in China in theory and in practice. 20.01.2009 – Seminar "Die mehrköpfige GmbH-Geschäftsführung" Axel Neelmeier and Prof. Dr. Ralf Imhof will be speakers on seminars arranged by Management Forum Starnberg on 20./21.01.2009 in Frankfurt/M. and on 18./19.02.2009 in Munich. You may download the program here . 14.01.2009 – SNB claims victory in bus design infringement case for MAN in China The IP team of SNB Shanghai, led by Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil and Dr. Paolo Beconcini, has claimed an important victory in the design infringement litigation for MAN/Neoplan in China. Until now, no German automotive manufacturer had been able to win such an infringement case before the Chinese courts. You will find media reports about the case here: http://de.reuters.com/article/deEuroRpt/idDELL20567520090121 http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2009/01/21/afx5944574.html 06.01.2009 – Docter Optics won domain grabbing case before CIETAC Beijing The IP team of SNB Shanghai was successful in a domain grabbing case of Docter Optics GmbH before CIETAC in Beijing. Docter Optics GmbH is world market leader in the development, manufacture and supply of optical glass projection lenses for automotive applications and optical components and systems to premier OEMs in various industries such as biometrics, digital projection, printing and machine vision. With a decision rendered on January 6, 2009 the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) issued an arbitration award recognizing the liability of the Chinese domain grabber for having violated the prior name and trademark rights of Docter Optics and therefore ordered the Chinese domain name grabber to transfer the domain www.docteroptics.com.cn to our client. This case shows that foreign enterprises can successfully defend themselves against domain grabbing in China. 04.01.2009 – 2nd edition of "Formularbuch IT-Recht" published The 2nd edition of "Formularbuch IT-Recht" was published by C.H.Beck Verlag. Prof. Dr. Ralf Imhof and Dr. Einar Recknagel from the SNB team have contributed to this publication. 01.11.2008 - BusinessForum China Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil has published an article about the new Chinese politics in patent and tax law and their influence on foreign investment projects in the R&D field in the November/December edition of the magazine “BusinessForum China”. You can download a pdf-version of this article here . 01.11.2008 - China Contact Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil has published another article about the new Chinese politics in patent and tax law and their influence on foreign investment projects in the R&D field in the November edition of the magazine “China Contact”. You can download a pdf-version of this article here . 20.10.2008 – Rollei sells its Metric business Rollei GmbH has sold off its Metric business to Trimble Holdings GmbH. While Baker & McKenzie has advised Trimble Holdings GmbH, Rollei GmbH was represented by SNB. 06.-08.10.2008 – SNB stand at EXPO REAL fair in Munich In consideration of the ever growing importance of the practice area Construction and real Estate SNB participated for the first time in the real estate fair EXPO REAL in Munich. Three attorneys from Hamburg and Rostock and one attorney from Shanghai for three days had many business discussions. SNB also arranged for a seminar on "Real estate investments in China". You may download the paper here . 01.10.2008 - Pacific International Arbitration Commission Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil was appointed as the first German arbitrator of the Pacific International Arbitration Commission in Ho Chi Minh City/Vietnam. PIAC is a newly established international arbitration institution designated to settle international business law disputes in or related to Vietnam. SNB will be pleased to give further information on dispute resolution in Vietnam. 18.09.2008 – Chinese European Arbitration Centre has been established On the initiative of the Hamburg Bar Association, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Tönissteiner Kreis and numerous domestic and foreign attorneys and law firms the Chinese European Arbitration centre was established. Mr. Axel Neelmeier was appointed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Details can be obtained at www.ceac-arbitration.com 16.09.2008 - Congress www.china-it.de Corinna Rindfleisch held a lecture on "Gesetzliche Rahmenbedingungen für IT-Dienstleistungen und juristische Handhabe gegen IT/IP-Piraten in China". You may download the program here . 29.08.2008 – Seminar "Bau- und Immobilienrecht in China" Johannes Weilharter was a speaker at a seminar in Frankfurt arranged by Management Circle on the topic "Construction and Real Estate in China". You may download the program here . 04.03.2008 - Public Procurement and Sale of Property Norbert Wendt held a lecture about "Spannungsverhältnis zwischen Grundstücksverkauf und ausschreibungspflichtiger Baukonzession" from a public procurement perspective. He highlighted the consequences of recent prejudices of the High Court of Düsseldorf on the sales activities of public authorities. You may download his paper here (PDF, 1 MB). 03.03.2008 - Intellectual property protection in China Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil has published an article about the protection of intellectual property in relation to business partners in China in the March edition of the magazine "Aktuell Asia". You can download a pdf-version of this article here (PDF, 431 KB). 15.01.2008 - "Schneider Case" and IP Strategies in China Dr. Paolo Beconcini has published an article about the impacts to IP strategies of foreign investors after the judgment in the "Schneider" case in the January-February edition of the magazine "China IP". You can download a pdf-version of this article here (PDF, 1 MB): English // Chinese 11.01.2008 – 3rd SNB Attorneys Conference All SNB attorneys from Hamburg, Rostock and Shanghai offices gathered for this year´s SNB Attorneys Day in Rostock. Discussions in Steigenberger Hotel Sonne focussed on the optimisation of work flows in order to secure our quality. Numerous ideas have been exchanged which will enhance our ability to efficiently cope with every day´s challenges. As always the conference day ended up in a long evening in the restaurant "Alte Apotheke", which resulted in several delays at the following breakfast...... 02.01.2008 - SNB keeps growing. Dr. Einar Recknagel have become partner of the firm as of 01.01.2008. Dr. Recknagel will be working as a partner in Hamburg in the field of banking. 28.12.2007 - China Contact Edition 12/2007 Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil has published an article about the construction of factory buildings by way of a build-to-lease contract in the December edition of the magazine "China Contact". SNB has advised several European investors in connection with factory establishments in this project structure in China. You can download a pdf-version of this article here (PDF 377 KB) 25.12.2007 – RA Hans-Bernd Giesler † It is with great regret that we have to announce that our colleague Hans-Bernd Giesler passed away unexpectedly. Mr. Giesler will always remain in our memory as a colleague with great international experience and with a constant focus on all the people he met. 22.10.2007 - RA Axel Neelmeier Ra Neelmeier has been appointed a member of the board of the Hamburgisches Anwaltsgericht (Hamburg Attorneys Professional Court ). 23.07.2007 - Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil to hold university lecture The university of Göttingen has appointed Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil as a lecturer on Law and Ethics in China for the winter term 2007/08. Dr. Scheil will hold an interdisciplinary seminar for students of the law faculty and the sinology department, in which he will also address practical aspects of intercultural legal advice and negotiation. 03.07.2007 - "Infringement of Trademark Rights Through the Internet" We would like to share with you an interesting article of Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil and Dr. Paolo Beconcini about latest developments in the Chinese intellectual property practice. The article concerns the infringement of trademark rights through the internet and appears in the current issue 03/07 of the Business Forum China of the German Chamber of Commerce in China. You can download this article here . (PDF 203 KB) 12.04.2007 - Europeanwide competition for energy supply licence of eastern Hafencity Hamburg The Hafencity Hamburg GmbH started a europeanwide competition for the energy supply of eastern Hafencity, which will be developed from 2008. Hafencity Hamburg GmbH is planning to grant a supply licence. Schulz Noack Bärwinkel, represented by Dr. Olaf Schulz-Gardyan (Energy) is advising Hafencity Hamburg GmbH during the competition. 01.01.2007 - Team changes at SNB German Attorney-at-Law Corinna Rindfleisch became a partner of the firm. She is heading the IT/IP department of SNB. The Rostock office was strengthened by German Attorney-at-Law Dr. Gunnar Roloff . 27.12.2006 - 2nd DIFA Real Estate Acquisition in Seoul DIFA Deutsche Immobilienfonds AG has completed another real estate investment in Seoul / Korea. SNB has advised DIFA on this project, too. 27.10.2006 - Handbook on the International Law of Limited Companies The book has just been published by the publishing house Zerb. The new standard compilation details the company law of more than 35 countries and is intended for use in legal practice. Dr. Jörg-Michael Scheil has written the chapter about China. 19.10.2006 – MAN litigates in China based on infringement of design patent The renowned German truck and bus manufacturer MAN has filed a design patent infringement lawsuit in China against an important Chinese automotive group. The Chinese competitor has copied the design of the MAN "Starliner 2" luxury coach. This is the first bus design patent infringement case brought to a court in China by a German automotive company. SNB is advising MAN in this lawsuit. After one year of investigation and evidence collection under the coordination of SNB the lawsuit was filed on 19 Oktober 2006 before the Beijing Intermediate Court. MAN is claiming for the cessation of the infringement and for damages. A press conference was held in Beijing on 19 October 2006 and attracted huge interest from the domestic and international media. 25.09.2006 - DIFA Real Estate Acquisition in Seoul DIFA Deutsche Immobilienfonds AG has completed a real estate investment in Seoul / Korea. SNB has advised DIFA on this project. 18./19.09.2006 BITKOM Outsourcing Forum Frankfurt On this year’s Outsourcing Forum, organized by BITKOM Prof. Dr. Ralf Imhof of SNB has given an introduction to the legal impacts of IT outsourcing and related options for solutions. 15.09.2006 - Foundation for nautic museum "Ozeaneum" planted On 15.09.2006 Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Harald Ringstorff planted the headstone for the new nautic museum "Ozeaneum". SNB advises the Deutsches Meeresmuseum during the realisation of the project. 14.09.2006 - Chinese Teahouse in Hamburg The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and the City of Shanghai have agreed to set up the European Tourism Center of Shanghai on a Hamburg property. SNB advises Shanghai Yu Garden (Europe) Corporation GmbH on this project. 31.08.2006 - SNB gives lectures to Chinese IP officials In July and August 2006 attorney Corinna Rindfleisch has given lectures on Intellectual Property Law to Chinese IP officials in Qingdao and Hangzhou as a part of a project of Gesellschaft für technische Zusammenarbeit mbH (GTZ). 28.04.2006 - Doctor honoris causa for Mr. Peter Schulz The Philosophical Faculty of the Universtity of Rostock awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Mr. Peter Schulz during a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Mr. Harald Ringstorff. Beijing seminar on Chinese Mergers & Acquisitions The head of our China Inbound team, our partner Axel Neelmeier, has delivered a speech on a seminar about Chinese Mergers & Acquisitions in Germany, which was organized in Beijing on October 31st, 2005.