Olaf Giebe has been representing German and international companies and corporations in patent infringement proceedings in all technical fields (chemistry, pharmaceuticals, materials science, biotechnology, electronics, mechanics) for over 35 years. His main areas of expertise include the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and the automotive sector. Through his work as a lawyer at the Regional Court and Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf, as well as at the infringement courts in Munich, Mannheim, and Karlsruhe, and through his involvement in a large number of proceedings before the Federal Court of Justice, the Federal Patent Court, and the European Patent Office, he has extensive experience in infringement disputes. His expertise is particularly sought after in complex, interdisciplinary issues. Furthermore, he has been and continues to be active in arbitration proceedings before WIPO and DIS as an arbitrator and also as chairman of the arbitral tribunal.
Memberships
Categorical remarks on the right of use in Festschrift für Peter Meier-Beck zum 65. Geburtstag (GRUR 2/2021), C.H. Beck, Munich, 2021, 191–196.
Property claims with product-by-process features in infringement proceedings in Festschrift 80 Jahre Patentgerichtsbarkeit in Düsseldorf (Commemorative publication marking 80 years of patent jurisdiction in Düsseldorf), Heymanns, Cologne, 2016, 125–140.
On the interpretation of patent claims with chemical structural formulas – what changes with 'olanzapine'? in Festschrift für Wolfgang von Meibom, Heymanns, Cologne, 2010, 95–104.
From the collection conveyor to the multi-speed hub. The role of examples of implementation in the interpretation of patent claims in Festschrift für Thomas Reimann, Heymanns, Cologne, 2009, 135–152.
Crowds in the run-up – Indirect patent infringement, use protection, and unfinished object in Festschrift für Tilman Schilling, Heymanns, Cologne, 2007.
Unlawful extraction in grant and opposition proceedings in Communications from German Patent Attorneys 2002, 301 ff.
Olaf Giebe, Jörg-Michael Lemke: Division of the patent = division of the scope of protection? in Mitteilungen der deutschen Patentanwälte (Communications from German Patent Attorneys) 1999, 445 ff.
Olaf Giebe, Klaus Füchsle: Street sweeper – Patents and rights of continued use in Communications from German Patent Attorneys 1996, 232 ff.
The legal significance of technical guidelines and rules in Verwaltungsrundschau 1984, 412 ff.
Best Lawyers:
“Lawyer Of The Year” in the field of “Intellectual Property Law, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany” (Best Lawyers 2020/2021)
Chambers:
“Olaf Giebe enjoys an excellent reputation in the German patent market. He excels in patent litigation, including infringement claims, enforcement and parallel opposition proceedings.” (Chambers Global and Europe 2023)
“Olaf Giebe excels in patent litigation, including infringement claims, enforcement and parallel opposition proceedings. A firm favorite for German as well as multinational companies, he enjoys excellent recognition as a ‘highly respected’ figure in the market.” (Chambers Global & Europe 2022)
“Highly respected figure in the market.” (Chambers Global & Europe 2022)
Olaf Giebe is particularly active in the telecommunications sector, representing clients in a range of matters including standard-essential patent infringement disputes. He elicits praise for his advocacy skills in court, with one source reporting: "He has so much experience in patent litigation and is able to make his point very clearly." (Chambers Europe 2021)
“Ranked Lawyers” (Chambers Global 2021)
“Outstandingly good” (Chambers Global 2021; Chambers Europe 2021)
"He has so much experience in patent litigation and is able to make his point very clearly."; Olaf Giebe – Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation Germany – Volume 1 (Chambers Europe 2021)
Juve:
"Very thorough," competitors (JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms 2022/2023 – Patent Law; JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms 2020/2021)
"Very thorough," competitors (JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms 2022/2023 – Patent Law; JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms 2020/2021)
"Leading advisors (over 50 years) among litigation lawyers in patent law" (JUVE Handbook 2021; JUVE Handbook Commercial Law Firms 2020/2021)
Legal 500:
“Hall of Fame/Patent Litigation” (Legal 500 EMEA 2022; Legal 500 Germany 2022/2023; Litigation 500 (2021))
"Olaf Giebe gets straight to the point; knows the court; works straightforwardly toward the goal; remarkably quick to familiarize himself with new topics." (Legal 500 Germany 2022/2023)
"Very strong litigation lawyer." (Legal 500 Germany 2022/2023; Legal 500 Germany 2022/2023)
"Very strong litigator" (Legal 500 EMEA 2022)
"Olaf Giebe and Constantin Kurtz specialize in patent litigation in the field of electronics/telecommunications..." (Legal 500 Germany 2020/2021; Legal 500 EMEA 2021)
"Olaf Giebe: Extremely experienced, able to quickly familiarize himself with complex issues, very good negotiation strategy. Excellent support." (Legal 500 Germany 2020/2021)
Recognized as: "Practice head" (Legal 500 EMEA 2023/2024 – Patent Litigation)
IP Stars:
Olaf Giebe; Jurisdiction: Germany; Rating: Patent star 2023 (IP STARS 2023: The leading practitioners in IP)
IAM Patent:
Olaf is one of the best and most experienced patent litigators in Germany. He provides very clear and thorough advice to his clients. He is very thorough in his work and has a clear language in the courtroom. He is a very quick learner and has a very good technical understanding. Olaf presents complex technical information in a very understandable and presentable way for the court. His communications are very structured and clear, and he is a great dispute tactician. His calm, factual and modest demeanour is well received by judges. He has an in-depth knowledge of the relevant courts and always delivers a realistic assessment of success.” (IAM Patent 1000, 2023: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals)
“Bringing 30 years’ experience is Olaf Giebe, who handles disputes regardless of their nature or complexity, but is especially known for his work in the pharmaceutical and automotive fields.” (IAM Patent 1000, 2022: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals)
“Giebe is a technical renaissance man with an intuitive understanding of everything from pharmaceuticals to materials science, vehicles, and bicycles.” (IAM Patent 1000, 2021: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals)
Business newspaper:
Best Lawyers Ranking 2025 Germany in the field of "Intellectual Property Law"
