Free advice on patents: Protect your ideas on October 1st!

Free advice on patents: Protect your ideas on October 1st!

An exciting offer for entrepreneurs in the region: On October 1st, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Lüneburg-Wolfsburg and Elbe-Weser are offering free telephone advice on industrial property rights. In confidential discussions that take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., an experienced patent attorney is available to provide information about important topics such as the legal protection of technical inventions, design protection for product design ideas and questions about brand identification. Participants have the opportunity to present their developments or ideas and to clarify which intellectual property rights are suitable for them. Information on the application process and costs involved is also provided.

In order to receive this valuable advice, registration is required. Anyone interested can contact Gritt Sonnenberg by phone at 04131 742-142 or by email gritt.sonnenberg@ihklw.de register. Further details can be found on the IHK website www.ihk.de/ihklw/schutzrechte.

Importance of intellectual property rights

But why are intellectual property rights so crucial for companies? As lawyer Andreas Bongard explains, these rights not only offer protection for creative ideas, but are also the basis for sustainable corporate success. Trademark protection, for example, protects distinctive characteristics from unauthorized use and gives the owner the exclusive right of use. There are different types of trademarks, including word trademarks, figurative trademarks and combinations. The duration of trademark protection is initially ten years and can be extended indefinitely.

These rights are usually registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA). Before registering, a comprehensive trademark search is essential in order to minimize the risk of infringement of existing intellectual property rights. This is also known at the DPMA, which offers support with research. Registration fees vary, and for electronic trademark registration the price starts at 290 euros.

Patents and utility models

Patent protection is intended for technical inventions and guarantees protection for a maximum of 20 years, provided that the registered invention is new, inventive and commercially applicable. It is particularly important for founders to deal with the topic of patent law. A freedom-to-operate analysis can help to identify possible patent risks at an early stage and to avoid existing intellectual property rights being infringed. The property right enables the owner to effectively protect his development and assert it in the market.

The fact that a good hand in dealing with intellectual property is necessary is also evident when registering designs. The protection of designs that relate to a specific aesthetic design can also be registered with the DPMA. Comprehensive protection is of great importance, especially for small businesses and startups that want to assert themselves in the market. For a successful registration, as with other intellectual property rights, it is advisable to seek legal support.

Overall, the protection of intellectual property, whether through patents, trademarks or designs, is an important issue for all entrepreneurs who want to survive in competition. By the way, while patents and utility models are examined for content, trademark applications usually only undergo a formal examination. This highlights the great potential and strategies behind solid commercial protection.

You can find more information on the subject of intellectual property and industrial property rights at www.dpma.de. A smart step to make the right decisions for your company in a timely manner!