Dr. Carola Onken
Associated Partner*

Profile

Carola Onken practices trademark, design, and competition law, advising and representing both companies and associations. In addition, she has many years of experience in enforcing geographical indications and designations of origin.

Carola represents rights holders in German and European registration, opposition and cancellation procedures and is involved in the negotiation of trademark license agreements. She regularly represents her clients before the General Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Carola studied at the University of Passau and Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. She began her professional career at KLAKA Rechtsanwälte, where she became a partner in 2016. In 2012, she became a specialist lawyer for intellectual property law.

Carola is co-author of Beck’s online commentary on trademark law and the handbook for specialist lawyers in intellectual property law. She regularly publishes commentary on judgments relating to trademark and competition law issues.

Biography

Forums

• German Association for Intellectual Property and Copyright Law (GRUR)
• Association des Praticiens du Droit des Marques et des Modèles (APRAM)
• International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA)

Publications

• Dr. Carola Onken: Commentary on Section 14 of the German Trademark Act (E. Trademark infringement in the event of likelihood of confusion: similarity of trademarks)
• in: Kur/v. Bomhard/Albrecht, Beck’scher Online-Kommentar Markenrecht (Beck’s Online Commentary on Trademark Law), 43rd edition, as of 01.10.2025
• Dr. Andreas Schulz, Dr. Carola Onken: Inhalt des Markenrechts: Schranken des Markenrechts in: Erdmann/Rojahn/Sosnitza, Handbook FA Industrial Property Rights, Carl Heymanns, 3rd edition 2018, pp. 575-642
• Dr. Stefan Abel, Dr. Carola Onken: Un an de jurisprudence sur les motifs absolus de refus de marques communautaires, Propriété Industrielle 2014, 19 ff.
• Dr. Carola Onken: Federal Court of Justice: Fixed time limits for discount campaigns are generally binding – 10% birthday discount, Betriebs-Berater 2012, 348
• Dr. Carola Onken: What characterizes Barbara Becker, or does it not matter at all?, MarkenR 2011, 141 ff.
• Dr. Carola Onken: The likelihood of confusion with name brands, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen 2011