„Every revolution was first a thought in one man's mind.“
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Innovative solutions open up markets—and attract emulators. Patent protection under patent law gives you a decisive edge.
Patents protect technical inventions. When you apply for a patent, you set patent grant proceedings into motion. Your patent application is examined by the patent office, such as the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), which is responsible for German patents. For European patents and, in the future, European patents with unitary effect (EPUE) for most EU countries (also known as the “EU Patent” or “Community Patent”), responsibility lies with the European Patent Office (EPO).
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is responsible for international patent applications, also known as “International Patent” or “PCT applications.”
Once a patent has been granted, it provides a prohibition right which you may exercise to prohibit commercial use by others. The patent allows you to press charges for Patent Infringement or claim damages. In addition to responsible national courts, the European Patent Court will also pave the way for new ways of enforcing your patent rights.
Patent rights are generally valid for 20 years starting from the submission of the application.
In Germany, utility models grant protection for 10 years. These are not examined for novelty or inventiveness and involve lower fees.
Avoiding patent infringement
Do you know of a problematic patent or would you like to steer the development of a new product in a patent-free direction at an early stage? We help you to
Avoid Patent Infringements.
Patent protection for your invention
Have you made the impossible possible? Perhaps you have had a breakthrough or made improvements with only a slight modification? You can secure an edge using
Patent Protection.
Exploiting an invention
There have been a large number of inventions in your company but you are dissatisfied with the registration system or the subsequent steps of implementation; or perhaps you already own patents from which you want to profit. We will show you various ways to
Exploit your Invention.
Enforcing a patent
Have you discovered a possible infringement of one of your patents and wish to put an end to it, or to benefit from license fees? Then you should
Enforce your Patent.
Patent portfolio
Your patents constitute an important asset but you do not need the hassle of managing your
Patent Portfolio?
Third-party development
You do not want to miss out on developments elsewhere or have other patents slow you down without warning. We will provide you with a structured overview of
Third-Party Development.
Revoking a patent
Are you already aware of third-party patents which might jeopardize your new development or the marketing of your product? In the absence of reasonable workarounds, you can click here to find information on how to
Revoke a Patent.
Patent infringement
Have you been warned, accused of a patent infringement or had an interim injunction or an infringement action filed against you? If so, you have several options for defending yourself against the accusation of
Patent Infringement.
Contracts: license, R&D, patent purchase
Do you plan to purchase patents, enter a developmental cooperation agreement (R&D) or wish to sell your invention or intellectual property rights? Do you want to acquire or transfer licenses or conclude a license contract? We would be happy to draw up or to check these
Contracts on your behalf.
