Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
In Germany, intellectual property is protected from imitation through the granting of property rights. The following property rights are differentiated between:
- Patents (protection of new technical inventions)
- Utility models (protection of technical innovations; in contrast to a patent, purely a registered right)
- Industrial designs (protection of designs, patterns and models)
- Trade marks (e.g. word and figurative marks)
Where the property rights are registered depends on the type of protection sought. If the German market suffices, you can approach the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. Protection at European level can be sought at the European Patent Office. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) additionally offers international patent protection.
Further Information
- German Horizon Europe Portal
Information on the handling of intellectual property rights in Horizon Europe
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (in German) - Your Europe
Information on the intellectual property rights in the European Union
European Commission - Intellectual property - IPR Helpdesk project
Information on the protection of intellectual property rights in general and in connection with projects within EU Research and Innovation programmes
IPR Helpdesk Projekt Portal - The German Law on Employee Inventions
The German Federal Ministry of Justice - The German Copyright Act
The German Federal Ministry of Justice