Offices – Germany
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Global Reach
Global Reach

Apart from offering expert legal consultancy for local jurisdictions, CMS partners up with you to effectively navigate the complexities of global business and legal environments.

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CMS lawyers can provide future-facing advice for your business across a variety of specialisms and industries, worldwide.

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Global Reach
Global Reach

Apart from offering expert legal consultancy for local jurisdictions, CMS partners up with you to effectively navigate the complexities of global business and legal environments.

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Distribution and Franchising

Our legal expertise can help you organise your distribution setup

Distribution and franchising issues are central to the advice provided by our Commercial team. CMS Germany advises companies engaged in production and trade on all relevant legal matters and aspects. Our lawyers also have in-depth knowledge in all the related and overlapping areas of law, such as antitrust law, competition law, trademarks/intellectual property and data protection.

Our clients include manufacturers of established branded products, distribution organisations and franchisors, as well as foreign companies seeking to gain a foothold in the German market. We advise companies that wish to restructure their distribution organisation, introduce selective or exclusive distribution systems, or conclude or terminate agreements with distribution partners. We also advise on setting up and developing digital business models, including e-payment and customer protection systems, and on creating Internet sales platforms, including B2B.

Service portfolio

Our advice covers all sectors that involve the distribution of goods and services, both nationally and internationally:

  • Framework supply agreements
  • Authorised dealer and commercial agency agreements
  • Selective distribution
  • Franchise agreements
  • Alternative forms of distribution, including e-commerce and production and distribution licensing
  • Distribution/competition law
  • Logistics agreements
  • General terms & conditions of sale and delivery
  • Selecting and designing distribution systems: exclusive or selective distribution systems, direct sales or franchising, distribution via commercial agents or commission agents
  • Sales financing, including export financing (letters of credit, HERMES export credit guarantees)
  • Out-of-court and in-court representation in disputes with suppliers, customers or distribution partners

Events

  • Scenic of panorama view of sunrise skyline and cityscape with light tail on road into metropolis, Bangkok, Thailand
    Germany
    24 Apr 2025

    Cross-Border Financial Services 2025 webinar series

  • Germany
    07 May 2025

    On the Pulse webinar series 2025 - Spring/Summer

  • Super Return “After Show“
    Germany
    04 Jun 2025

    Berlin Super Return „After Show“

Local market knowledge. Global outlook

We provide future-facing legal advice to help your organisation thrive. Combining local market knowledge and a global perspective, and with lawyers in locations worldwide, your organisation benefits from the expertise it needs, even across borders.

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