Property rights

There are several ways of protecting intellectual property, inventions, models, designs, etc. Which strategy is best for protecting and enforcing own rights depends on factors such as applicability, commercial targets, extent of protection and budget.

Use the listing below to get detailed information about current protective rights.

 Patents

New inventions or processes with technical character and commercial applicability being based on innovative activity.

Utility models

Technical, patentable inventions, no technical or chemical processes ("Neuheitsschonfrist" six months)

Trademarks

Words, letter strings, numbers, logos, color combinations, audio strings, etc. for goods and services in several classes

Aesthetic models

Two- or three-dimensional outward forms, templates for styles, designs of products, patterns ("Neuheitsschonfrist" one year)

Company names

No protective right in the proper sense, automatically protected by registering in the commercial register, thereby not allowing two entities to register the exact same names if they are in the same local court district or in the same line of business, stronger protection achievable by additional registration as a trademark

Domains

No protective right in the proper sense, internet addresses are registered by DENIC, stronger protection achievable by additional registration as a trademark.