The family business and spirits manufacturer Underberg and Cointreau have established a joint venture in Germany, by virtue of which Rémy Cointreau will hold 50% of the Underberg subsidiary Diversa. A Nörr Stiefenhofer Lutz team led by the Munich company lawyer Dr. Tobias Bürgers advised Semper idem. Underberg AG in the negotiations and drafting of the agreement with  Cointreau Holding GmbH.

According to a statement, both companies intend to organise the sale of their own brands and other brands for which they have sales rights in Germany through Diversa. The brands affected include Metaxa, Piper Heidsieck Champagne and Rémy Martin from the Cointreau side and Asbach, Grasovka, Pitú, Underberg and Xuxu on the side of Underberg. Other brands involved are Amarula and Averna.

The joint venture in Germany follows from the existing sales partnerships in Austria and Switzerland. Cointreau's sales partner in Germany to date has been Maxxium. That agreement expires on 31 March 2009. On the following day, the cooperation with Underberg begins.

Advisor Semper idem. Underberg AG: Nörr Stiefenhofer Lutz

Dr. Tobias Bürgers (company law, leading, Munich), Dr. Alexander Birnstiel, LL.M. (cartel law, Munich), Dr. Michael Reiling (sales law, Munich), Marco Winterer (real estate law, Munich)

Associates: Dr. Stephan Bauer, LL.M. (company law, Düsseldorf), Helge Heinrich (cartel law, Munich)