Our patent attorneys combine technical expertise with in-depth experience in dealing with patent offices and the courts. We assist clients with all aspects of industrial property rights – from the development and filing of technical innovations to the defence of existing rights. In doing so, we take into account both national and international procedures and devise economically sound protection strategies.

Technical property rights protect technical inventions, i.e. solutions based on scientific and technical considerations. These include patents and utility models. They grant the owner a time-limited exclusive right that prohibits third parties from exploiting the protected technical teaching. The key prerequisites are novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability, which are enforced through formalised examination and grant procedures.

Non-technical property rights protect signs and designs that are not of a technical nature. These include trade marks and designs (registered designs). Trade marks protect names, logos and other indicators of origin. Designs protect the external shape of a product, i.e. lines, contours and aesthetic features. They are created through application and registration and enhance brand recognition, market presence and product design.

An expert report provides a basis for decision-making regarding future business actions. This may, for example, take the form of an infringement report or an assessment of the legal validity of a property right.

IP strategies are tailored to individual needs. Nowadays, success depends heavily on having a portfolio of intellectual property rights that aligns with the business plan. Intellectual property rights holders seek synergies between their portfolios and their business situation. The checklist for an effective IP strategy is extensive, though it is not always clear where the focus should lie.

An innovation analysis may, for example, point towards a megatrend, a low-cost solution or an improvement in internal innovation capacity.

Innovation workshops can be designed to identify inventions that address specific challenges posed by competitors. Economic considerations, market developments or megatrends may play a role in this.

Potential acts of infringement must be verified and substantiated for court proceedings. You can count on our support when it comes to test purchases or seizures by the police or customs authorities.

You can put intellectual property rights to work for you. This option applies to both technical and non-technical intellectual property rights. Licence agreements are often incorporated into development or cooperation agreements.

Drawing on our industry experience, we are able to offer advice on employee remuneration. In corporate groups in particular, the challenges increase in line with the size of the organisation.