Since 2004, our firm has been advising and representing global operating automobile component suppliers, who manufacture and sell safety related products worldwide. We are thus thoroughly familiar with the typical characteristics of this industry which have to be taken into consideration when it comes to contract negotiations, warranty questions, damage claims, etc. These include very complex contracts, coordination with the manufacturers and insurers in recall or product liability cases.
Our contract services include, inter alia, drafting and negotiating delivery contracts with OEMs or part suppliers and their suppliers, research & development contracts, licensing agreements, tooling contracts, rental agreements and consignment stock agreements. We also review and draft general terms and conditions of purchase and delivery for diverse automotive businesses in various languages.
Product liability and patent infringement suits occur frequently in the automotive sector, particularly in the USA. When the products or patents of our clients become subject to such suits, we organize the legal defense in close collaboration with our clients´ liability insurer. With respect to the specific case, this can mean: applications to German courts for barring service of a foreign lawsuit, careful selection of law firms abroad, plus comprehensive investigation of the facts in Germany and (mostly English-language) preparation of the materials required for a legal defense abroad.