Member since Aug '02

Working languages:
German to English
French to English
Spanish to English

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Sebastian Witte
English to German
Contracts = Law: Contract
Astrid Elke Witte
Precision at your fingertips

Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Local time: 22:46 CEST (GMT+2)

Native in: English (Variants: Scottish, British) Native in English
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Terminological precision and smooth style made accessible./Chartered Linguist https://www.ciol.org.uk/chartership ./New sizeable SDL MultiTerm termbases created in 2022./The only CV accessible here that does not contain a watermark is the French one.
Account type Freelance translator and/or interpreter, Identity Verified Verified member
This person previously served as a ProZ.com moderator.
Data security Created by Evelio Clavel-Rosales This person has a SecurePRO™ card. View now.
Affiliations
Services Translation, Editing/proofreading, MT post-editing
Expertise
Specializes in:
Law: Patents, Trademarks, CopyrightPatents
Names (personal, company)Law: Contract(s)
Real EstateAccounting
Law (general)Business/Commerce (general)

Rates

All accepted currencies Euro (eur)
Project History 12 projects entered    12 positive feedback from outsourcers

Payment methods accepted Wire transfer, Skrill
Portfolio Sample translations submitted: 3
German to English: Sample in the field of trademarks
General field: Law/Patents
Detailed field: Law: Patents, Trademarks, Copyright
Source text - German
Rechtsmittelgründe und wesentliche Argumente

Die Rechtsmittelführerin macht geltend, dass dem Gericht erster Instanz folgende Fehler unterlaufen seien:

a) Die Begriffe "media gateway" und "gateway" hätten auf dem IT-Markt eine ganz spezifische Bedeutung im Sinne bestimmter Arten von Vorrichtungen, die ein Protokoll oder Format in ein anderes umwandelten. Das Gericht sei jedoch fälschlicherweise davon ausgegangen, dass der Begriff "gateway" als Bestandteil der angemeldeten Marke dazu diene, beschreibende Merkmale aller Waren und Dienstleistungen, für die das beanstandete Kennzeichen verwendet werden solle, zu bezeichnen, während tatsächlich unter den für die beanstandete Marke beanspruchten Waren und Dienstleistungen weder "media gateway" noch "gateway" genannt seien.

b) Es habe zu Unrecht angenommen, dass die maßgeblichen Verkehrskreise aus Verbrauchern bestünden, die ausschließlich IT-Waren und -Dienstleistungen kauften, statt aus Verbrauchern aller Waren und Dienstleistungen, für die die beanstandete Bezeichnung verwendet werden solle.

c) Es sei zu Unrecht der Auffassung gewesen, dass die sich gegenüberstehenden Marken bildlich, klanglich oder begrifflich nicht ähnlich seien.

d) Es sei zu Unrecht der Ansicht gewesen, dass es für die Frage der Ähnlichkeit zweier sich gegenüberstehender Wortmarken darauf ankomme, ob der von dem zusammengesetzten Wortzeichen erzeugte bildliche, klangliche oder begriffliche Gesamteindruck von dem Teil dominiert werde, den die ältere Marke darstelle.

e) Bei der Beurteilung der Ähnlichkeit der sich gegenüberstehenden Marken habe es der Kennzeichnungskraft von "gateway" als älterer Marke der Rechtsmittelführerin für IT-Waren und -Dienstleistungen beim maßgeblichen Publikum nicht genügend Gewicht beigemessen.

f) Es habe nicht die Tatsache hinreichend berücksichtigt, dass Marken, die entweder von Haus aus oder infolge ihrer Bekanntheit eine hohe Kennzeichnungskraft besäßen, einen stärkeren Schutz genössen als weniger kennzeichnungskräftige Marken.

g) Es sei zu Unrecht zu dem Schluss gekommen, dass "gateway" keine eigenständige Kennzeichnungskraft in der angemeldeten Marke habe.

h) Es sei zu Unrecht der Ansicht gewesen, dass es für die Gefahr von Verwechslungen darauf ankomme, ob der von dem zusammengesetzten Zeichen erzeugte Gesamteindruck von dem Teil dominiert werde, den die ältere Marke darstelle.

i) Es habe die wahrscheinliche bildliche, begriffliche und klangliche Wirkung nicht richtig beurteilt, die das Wort "gateway" als Bestandteil der angemeldeten Marke auf den durchschnittlichen Verbraucher der in Rede stehenden Waren und Dienstleistungen haben würde.
Translation - English
Grounds for Appeal and Principal Arguments

The Appellant asserts that the Court of First Instance was subject to the following errors:

a) The terms “media gateway” and “gateway” had a quite specific meaning on the IT market in the sense of particular types of devices which transform one protocol or format into another. The Court had, however, erroneously assumed that the term “gateway”, as a component of the trademark filed, served to designate descriptive features of all goods and services for which the opposed sign was supposed to be used, whereas in fact neither “media gateway” nor “gateway” was mentioned under the goods and services claimed for the opposed mark.

b) It erroneously assumed that the relevant consumer circles consisted of consumers who exclusively purchased IT goods and services, instead of consumers of all goods and services for which the opposed sign was supposed to be used.

c) It had erroneously held the opinion that the opposing trademarks were not visually, phonetically or conceptually similar.

d) It had erroneously taken the view that it was of import, concerning the question of the similarity of two opposing word marks, whether the visual, phonetic or conceptual overall impression produced by the composite sign were dominated by the part which constituted the earlier mark.

e) When assessing the similarity of the opposing marks it did not attribute sufficient importance to the distinctiveness of “gateway” among the relevant public as an earlier trademark of the Appellant for IT goods and services.

f) It did not sufficiently take into consideration the fact that trademarks which possessed a high degree of distinctiveness, either inherently or in consequence of their notoriety, enjoyed greater protection than less distinctive trademarks.

g) It erroneously came to the conclusion that “gateway” did not have any independent distinctiveness in the mark filed.

h) It erroneously took the view that it was of relevance, concerning the likelihood of confusion, whether the overall impression produced by the composite sign were dominated by the part which constituted the earlier mark.

i) It had not correctly assessed the probable visual, conceptual and phonetic effect which the word “gateway”, as a component of the mark filed, would have on the average consumer of the goods and services in question.
French to English: Trademark law sample translation
General field: Law/Patents
Detailed field: Law: Patents, Trademarks, Copyright
Source text - French
Arrêt
Antécédents du litige
1. Le 30 janvier 1997, la requérante a présenté une demande de marque communautaire à l'Office de l'harmonisation dans le marché intérieur (marques,dessins et modèles) (OHMI), en vertu du règlement (CE) n° 40/94 du Conseil, du 20 décembre 1993, sur la marque communautaire (JO 1994, L 11, p. 1), tel que modifié.

2. La marque dont l'enregistrement a été demandé est une juxtaposition de deux couleurs, en tant que telle, représentée par un rectangle vert, correspondant à la référence de couleur Pantone 369c, surmontant un rectangle gris, correspondant à la référence de couleur Pantone 428u.

3. Les produits pour lesquels l'enregistrement de la marque a été demandé relèvent de la classe 7 au sens de l'arrangement de Nice concernant la classification internationale des produits et des services aux fins de l'enregistrement des marques, du 15 juin 1957, tel que révisé et modifié et correspondent à la description suivante: «Tronçonneuses, hâches, motobèches, tondeuses à gazon, motofaucheuses, tondeuses autoportées, aérateurs de gazon, coupe-gazon, taille-haies, balayeuses, chasse-neige, charrues, scies électriques, cisailles, appareils de nettoyage à haute pression et tous appareils à moteur avec pièces détachées, pièces de rechanges et accessoires», relevant de la classe 7.

4. Par décision du 23 juillet 1999, l'examinateur a rejeté la demande au titre de l'article 38 du règlement n° 40/94 au motif que la combinaison des couleurs verte et grise était dépourvue de caractère distinctif et descriptive pour les produits désignés au sens de l'article 7, paragraphe 1, sous b) et c), du même règlement.

5. Le 31 août 1999, la requérante a formé un recours auprès de l'OHMI, au titre de l'article 59 du règlement n° 40/94, contre la décision de l'examinateur.

6. Par décision du 28 juillet 2000 (ci-après la «décision attaquée»), qui a été notifiée à la requérante le 7 août 2000, la première chambre de recours a confirmé le refus d'enregistrement de la marque demandée. En substance, elle a considéré que le signe demandé est dépourvu de caractère distinctif au sens de l'article 7, paragraphe 1, sous b), du règlement n° 40/94.
Translation - English
Judgement
Procedural history of the case
1. On 30 January, 1997, the applicant filed a community trademark application with the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trademarks and Designs) (OHIM) in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 40/94 of 20 December, 1993 on the Community trademark (OJ (Official Gazette of the French Republic) 1994, L 11, p. 1), as amended.

2. The mark for which registration was sought was a juxtaposition of two colours as such, represented by a green rectangle, corresponding to the colour Pantone 369c, superimposed on a grey rectangle, corresponding to the colour Pantone 428u.

3. The goods for which registration of the mark was sought fall within Class 7 within the meaning of the Nice Agreement concerning the international classification of goods and services for the purposes of the registration of trademarks dated 15 June, 1957, as revised and amended. Cf. the following itemisation in this respect: "Chain saws, axes, cultivators, lawnmowers, motor mowers, ride-on mowers, lawn aerators, grass trimmers, hedge trimmers, sweepers, snow ploughs, ploughs, electric saws, shears, pressure cleaners and any motor appliances having individual components, spare parts and accessories", as contained in Class 7.

4. In its decision of 23 July, 1999 the examiner dismissed the application on the basis of Article 38 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 40/94 on the grounds that the combination of the colours green and grey was devoid of any distinctive character, and descriptive of the designated goods within the meaning of Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of said regulation.

5. On 31 August, 1999 the applicant filed an appeal against the examiner's decision with the OHIM, in line with Article 59 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 40/94.

6. In its decision of 28 July, 2000 (hereinafter referred to as the "opposed decision"), which was notified to the applicant on 7 August, 2000, the First Board of Appeal confirmed the refusal of registration of the mark filed. Essentially, it deemed the sign filed devoid of any distinctive character within the meaning of Article 7(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 40/94.
French to English: Terms and Conditions of Sale regarding a webstore
General field: Law/Patents
Detailed field: Law: Contract(s)
Source text - French
Les présentes conditions de vente visent à définir les relations contractuelles entre X. et l'acheteur et les conditions applicables à tout achat effectué par le biais du site marchand de X., que l'acheteur soit professionnel ou consommateur.


L'acquisition d'un bien ou d'un service à travers le présent site implique une acceptation sans réserve par l'acheteur des présentes conditions de vente.


Ces conditions de vente prévaudront sur toutes autres conditions générales ou particulières non expressément agréées par X.

X. se réserve de pouvoir modifier ses conditions de vente à tout moment. Dans ce cas, les conditions applicables seront celles en vigueur à la date de la commande par l'acheteur.

Caractéristiques des biens et services proposés

Les produits et services offerts sont ceux qui figurent dans le catalogue publié dans le site de X.

Ces produits et services sont offerts dans la limite des stocks disponibles.

Chaque produit est accompagné d'un descriptif établi par le fournisseur; pour certains d'entre eux, portant la mention DF, l'acheteur peut avoir accès à la documentation du fournisseur.


Les photographies du catalogue sont les plus fidèles possibles mais ne peuvent assurer une similitude parfaite avec le produit offert, notamment en ce qui concerne les couleurs.


Tarifs

Les prix figurant dans le catalogue sont des prix TTC en euro tenant compte de la TVA applicable au jour de la commande; tout changement du taux pourra être répercuté sur le prix des produits ou des services.


X. se réserve de modifier ses prix à tout moment, étant toutefois entendu que le prix figurant au catalogue le jour de la commande sera le seul applicable à l'acheteur.


Les prix indiqués comprennent ''ou ne comprennent pas'' les frais de traitement de commandes, de transport et de livraison pour autant qu'elles aient lieu dans les zones géographiques prévues ci-après.
Translation - English
The purpose of the present Terms and Conditions of Sale is to define the contractual relations between X. and the purchaser and the conditions applicable to every sales transaction executed through X's commercial website, regardless of whether the purchaser is a consumer or a non-consumer.

The purchase of goods or services through the present site implies an unreserved acceptance by the purchaser of the present Terms and Conditions of Sale.

These Terms and Conditions of Sale shall take precedence over any other general or special terms and conditions not expressly agreed to by X.

X. reserves the right to amend its Terms and Conditions of Sale at any time. In that case, the conditions applying will be those in force as at the date on which the purchaser places the order.

Specifications of the goods and services offered

The goods and services offered are those which are detailed in the catalogue published on X's site.

These goods and services are offered subject to availability.

Each product is accompanied by a specification provided by the supplier, with some of the products bearing the DF endorsement, in the case of which the purchaser may inspect the supplier's documentation.

The photographs reproduced in the catalogue are as true to the appearance of the products as possible, but there is no guarantee that they perfectly match the product offered, especially in regard to the colouring.

Prices

The prices shown in the catalogue are inclusive of taxes in euros, taking into account the VAT rate applicable on the date on which the order is placed. Any change in the tax rate may be passed on to the purchaser by adjusting the price of the goods or services.

X. reserves the right to change the pricing at any time, it being understood, however, that the price listed in the catalogue as at the date of the order being placed will be the only price authoritative for the purchaser.

The prices indicated may or may not include the order handling charges or the cost of transportation and delivery, in so far as the orders originate from within the geographic regions set out below.

Glossaries DE-EN Agricultural and Horticultural Terminology, DE-EN Austrian Legal Terminology, DE-EN Automobile Terminology, DE-EN Banking Terminology, DE-EN Beauty Treatment Terminology, DE-EN Building and Construction Terminology, DE-EN Business Terminology, DE-EN Canine Glossary, DE-EN Chemistry Terminology, DE-EN Competition Law Terminology

Translation education Other - Institute of Linguists, UK (Dip. Trans. IOL)
Experience Years of experience: 27. Registered at ProZ.com: Apr 2001. Became a member: Aug 2002.
ProZ.com Certified PRO certificate(s)
Credentials German to English (Chartered Institute of Linguists, verified)
French to English (L120 Ouverture)
Memberships Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer (BDÜ), CIOL
Teamstextpartner
Software Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, SDL Trados Studio 2022, Trados Studio
Website http://www.aswittepartg.de
Events and training
Professional practices Astrid Elke Witte endorses ProZ.com's Professional Guidelines.
Professional objectives
  • Meet new end/direct clients
  • Meet new translation company clients
  • Network with other language professionals
  • Find trusted individuals to outsource work to
  • Stay up to date on what is happening in the language industry
  • Get help with terminology and resources
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Bio

Certified%20PROs.jpg

Specialist Translator in the field of Intellectual Property

Extensive experience of translating trademark and patent litigation. I have also translated many patents, covering most IPC classes. A lot of them have been Physics patents, and I have translated quite a few patents in the field of Chemistry, as well.

Sebastian and I work together on many projects falling into the broad fields of Legal, Business, Finance and Accounting, in particular Employment Law, Data Privacy and Real Estate. We have, over the course of our business together (over 11 years now), applied our expertise and the four-eye principle, in the above fields and other related fields as required, in both directions between English and German, sometimes also taking on projects involving one or the other of those and French or Spanish. We handle these four languages between us quite well, and Sebastian can also translate Portuguese into German, as well as certify translations between German, English and Spanish.

We keep our own termbases for the subjects in which we translate, often breaking them down into more specialised termbases covering sub-fields of our main fields. We take time and care to always try to find exactly the right word or term, as the occasion arises, and – if even more specialised knowledge of a sub-field is required, we may also offer you the service (for an additional fee) of having our final copy read by a specialist proofreader, whom we will then select with great care. This would enable you to obtain from us publication-ready copy.

Due to my highly developed secretarial skills, all translations are presented neatly formatted, using the facilities that Word provides. If you have requirements for special file types, however, we will do our best to accommodate these, and can, for instance, handle .idml files.

We both have a well-rounded linguistic background which we brought to our profession, as well as experience - much of which has been gained through translating - relating to a wide range of different topics.


This user has earned KudoZ points by helping other translators with PRO-level terms. Click point total(s) to see term translations provided.

Total pts earned: 711
PRO-level pts: 651


Top languages (PRO)
German to English578
English to German43
French to English14
English8
German4
Pts in 1 more pair >
Top general fields (PRO)
Law/Patents307
Bus/Financial145
Tech/Engineering63
Other47
Marketing34
Pts in 4 more flds >
Top specific fields (PRO)
Law: Contract(s)106
Law (general)98
Law: Patents, Trademarks, Copyright62
Finance (general)39
Real Estate31
Business/Commerce (general)20
Accounting19
Pts in 41 more flds >

See all points earned >

This user has reported completing projects in the following job categories, language pairs, and fields.

Project History Summary
Total projects12
With client feedback12
Corroborated12
100% positive (12 entries)
positive12
neutral0
negative0

Job type
Translation12
Language pairs
German to English12
Specialty fields
Law: Contract(s)6
Law: Patents, Trademarks, Copyright3
Law: Taxation & Customs1
Accounting1
Business/Commerce (general)1
Other fields
Keywords: intellectual property, Abmahnung, Bescheid, Beschluss, einstweilige Verfügung, Entscheidung, Gemeinschaftsmarke, Klage, Marke, Markenanmeldung. See more.intellectual property, Abmahnung, Bescheid, Beschluss, einstweilige Verfügung, Entscheidung, Gemeinschaftsmarke, Klage, Marke, Markenanmeldung, Markenregistrierung, Nichtigkeitsklage, Ordnungsmittelantrag, Unterlassungs- und Verpflichtungserklärung, Vollmacht, Waren- und Dienstleistungsverzeichnis, Judgment, decision, action, affidavit, warning letter, preliminary injunction, community trademark, German trademark, international registration, power of attorney, articles of association, trademark registration, cease and desist undertaking, invalidity suit, list of goods and services, trademark application, patent, trademark, nullity action, telecommunications, ADSL, Führungszeugnis, Zeugnisse, certificates, diplomas, SDL Trados Studio, SDL Trados Studio 2019, SDL MultiTerm, SDL MultiTerm 2019. See less.




Profile last updated
Mar 11