Patent or utility model? What’s the difference?

Let us make it clear for you. Patent and utility models are not the same thing, even if you have probably heard sometimes that utility models are just “small patents”.  Patents and utility models protect technical inventions that are new, based on an inventive step and commercially applicable. They confer on their owner the privilege, […]

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Online Meeting with our legals: NOW IT´S POSSIBLE!

Communication is changing and our IT-structure il also changing with the world. In order to help you reaching our legal offices more directly and without further travel costs, we are now offering you the possibility, in addition to the usual communication channels, to book an online face-to-face consultation sessions through video conferencing. Get in touch […]

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Apply for a European patent in greater Europe

The European Patent Office carries out a specific European patent grant procedure. The basis is provided by the European Patent Convention (EPC). You can apply for a European patent in 38 contracting states of the EPC. However, the patent is not uniformly valid in all contracting states of the EPC. Following patent grant, the European […]

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Patent Protection outside Germany

Patents are only valid in the country for which they have been granted (principle of territoriality). Patents granted by the DPMA have effect in the Federal Republic of Germany. You have a choice of several routes for obtaining patent protection of your invention in other countries. If you wish to obtain protection for your invention […]

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What is a utility model?

Fast and low-cost protection of inventions Utility model registration provides fast and low-cost protection of technical inventions. Utility model protection is also available for chemical substances, food and pharmaceuticals, but not for processes, such as manufacturing, working or measuring processes. Whereas it frequently takes several years to obtain a patent, a utility model may be […]

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Why should we apply for a patent?

Patents foster innovations Patents protect new technical inventions. They confer to their owners a territorial monopoly right for a limited period. The patent owner alone is entitled to exploit the invention. He can prohibit unauthorised commercial use of the patented invention. Patents allow to derive economic benefits from inventions. In return, the patent owner has […]

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German patent application fees

Overview of fees Type of Fee Euro Application fee for online filing (including 10 patent claims) EUR 40 – extra fee for each additional claim EUR 20 Application fee for paper filing (including 10 patent claims) EUR 60 – extra fee for each additional claim EUR 30 Fee for search request EUR 300 Examination fee […]

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Patent application proceedings in Germany

In the examination procedure, the patent examiners of the DPMA check if your invention meets the following criteria: novelty inventive step industrial applicability Furthermore, the invention must have a technical character. The patent is the only IP right granted by the DPMA after a very extensive examination for novelty. Preliminary examination of the application By […]

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Applying for a patent in Germany

Request for the grant of a patent Please bear in mind that the patent system is a very complex field of law. It may be advisable to retain the services of a patent attorney for preparing and filing a patent application. If you are not residing in Germany, you are legally required to be represented […]

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