Taylor Wessing advises shareholders EganaGoldpfeil Europe (Holdings) GmbH and Strellson AG on restructuring the shareholdings and trademark portfolio of JOOP! GmbH

Taylor Wessing advised two shareholders of JOOP! GmbH, EganaGoldpfeil Europe (Holdings) GmbH and Strellson AG, in the restructuring of the shareholder circle and trademark sector. In connection with the restructuring measures, Coty Inc. (NY), previously licensee for JOOP! cosmetics and third shareholder of JOOP! GmbH, purchased the cosmetics trademarks. In return, Coty Inc. transferred its shares in JOOP! GmbH to former co-shareholders and main licensees EganaGoldpfeil (accessories) and Strellson (textiles).

Taylor Wessing acted as counsel to EganaGoldpfeil and Strellson throughout the entire restructuring process. After signature of the letter of intent, the contract documentation required for the deal was drafted. The shareholding and trademark structures were redefined in a consortium and coexistence agreement. The parties agreed to jointly implement their sales and trademark strategy in close cooperation also in the future. The transaction was closed in May 2007.

With this deal Taylor Wessing once again proved its competence as a full-service firm. The legal team, headed by Dr. Ernst-Albrecht von Beauvais, included several corporate lawyers and specialists in trademark and EU/competition matters as well as tax law. The matter was referred by an earlier contact from a deal where EganaGoldpfeil and Taylor Wessing, then acting for the adverse party, had represented opposite sides in a transaction closed at the end of 2005.

Counsel to EganaGoldpfeil Europe (Holdings) GmbH and Strellson AG

Taylor Wessing (Düsseldorf):

Dr. Ernst-Albrecht von Beauvais (lead partner, Corporate), Olaf Gillert (Trademarks), Dr. Marco Hartmann-Rüppel (EU/Competition, Hamburg), Eckard Lehmann (Tax); Associates: Maria Weiers (Corporate), Annekatrin Neuhaus (IP), Dr. Britta Noack (EU/Competition)

EganaGoldPfeil Europe (Holdings) GmbH – In-house:

Georg Delhaes

Counsel to Coty Inc.

Linklaters:

Dr. Dr. Georg Maier-Reimer, Dr. Stephan König (both Corporate), Dr. Sebastian Benz (Tax); Associate: Ronald J. Meißner (Corporate)

Jonas Rechtsanwälte:

Kay-Uwe Jonas (Trademarks), Associate: Dr. Nils Weber (Trademarks)

Counsel to JOOP! GmbH

Löhde Leo Schmidt-Hollburg & Witte:

Dr. Hartwig Schmidt-Hollburg