Anyone who has developed an invention and applied for a patent wants to prevent imitators from also using it and making a profit from it at all costs. In the case of products that are not identically copied, the question often arises: Is there a patent infringement or not?

If you want to legally protect an invention, you do not necessarily have to apply for a patent. As a cheaper and faster alternative, German law offers utility model protection to make it easier to protect innovations. In this article, we show what utility model law actually entails and when such protection is possible.

Anyone who develops an invention at their workplace often finds themselves in a dilemma: Should I report the invention to my employer or use it myself? And who actually has the rights to an employee invention? There are clear legal regulations for such cases in Germany.

A patent application can be the starting point for a successful company or start-up: After months and years of developing, tinkering and trying things out, your invention is finally ready to see the light of day. To make this step a success, there are a few important points to consider before, during and after the patent application. In this article, we will show you what is important!

Globalization means that more and more companies are also operating internationally. The economic union in particular is further standardizing the market in the EU and European companies have long since ceased to operate in just one country. It is more important than ever for founders, inventors and entrepreneurs to consider applying for a patent not only in Germany, but also directly in the EU.

Patenting an invention is always a complex matter in which technical and scientific aspects meet legal issues. An attorney for patent law (also: patent attorney) works in this borderline area, supporting inventors, founders and entrepreneurs in applying for a patent in a legally secure manner and protecting it from imitations.

For founders and entrepreneurs, one of the primary goals in the area of IP should always be to avoid legal disputes. Nevertheless, many receive a warning letter along with a cease-and-desist declaration during their business career. In this article, we explain what you need to consider and how to avoid cease-and-desist letters in the future.

If you want to build a business, you should not only focus on developing products or services but also pay attention to building a trade mark. A successful trade mark creates brand recognition and can significantly boost a company's success. If you want to establish long-term recognition and a strong market position, you should protect your trade mark. In this article, we explain the purpose of trade mark registration and guide you through the process step by step.

Anyone running a business and looking to register or manage a trade mark often faces significant challenges. Not only is the registration of a trade mark influenced by numerous legal questions, but its use and protection from imitations are also legally relevant. Many entrepreneurs and business owners are therefore in search of a reliable partner by their side to assist them with the complexities of trade mark law.

If you want to use a technical invention, a trade mark or a special design, you should not only think about applying for an IP right, but also about a “freedom-to-operate” (FTO) search. This is the only way for inventors and entrepreneurs to ensure that no third-party IP rights are infringed during the entire manufacturing, development and sales process.

Finding a name for your own product or company can be one of the most important and difficult tasks for an entrepreneur or founder. After all, there is an almost infinite number of possibilities. At the same time, there is always the risk that the chosen trade name already exists in the same or a similar form and has already been registered.

Registered designs can offer a high recognition value for your company and make your external or product appearance unique. To avoid imitations, it often makes sense to have designs legally protected. In this article, you can find out exactly how to proceed and what is important when protecting designs.

The first patent application is an important milestone in the life of an inventor and/or entrepreneur. However, in order to avoid legal difficulties or a lengthy and expensive legal dispute, an important step should be taken before the initial application: the patent search. This can prevent the existence of identical or similar patents in Germany or abroad that could conflict with your patent application.

Bringing an idea or invention to life involves many costs: Prototypes, adaptations, labour - and a patent. This includes not only the costs for drafting and prosecuting the patent application, but also for prior counselling and - ideally - ongoing patent monitoring. But what does a patent actually cost?

Before a trade mark application is filed in Germany or the EU, the most important step must be taken: a trade mark search. This is to prevent an identical or similar trade mark already being protected in Germany or abroad, which could stand in the way of a successful application. As experienced attorneys in trade mark law, …