Intellectual property protection with technical depth

Together with you, we identify the protectable core of your invention and draft applications with substance: well-conceived claim sets, a robust description and an eye on later proceedings.

• Drafting of German, European and international (PCT) patent applications
• Utility model applications and utility models branched off from patent applications
• Prior art searches and patentability assessments
• Filing strategy: priority, territories, cost control
• Security-relevant and particularly confidential developments with due regard to confidentiality and secrecy requirements

The examination procedure determines how broad and robust your IP right will be. We represent you before the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) and the European Patent Office (EPO) – in writing and in oral proceedings.

• Responses to office actions
• Oral proceedings before examining sections and divisions
• Aligning the scope of protection with the prospects of grant
• Divisional and subsequent applications

Whether attacking or defending: opposition proceedings concern the validity of patents – often with immediate commercial significance. We represent you before the DPMA and the EPO as well as on appeal.

• Oppositions against competitors' IP rights
• Defence of your own patents in opposition proceedings
• Appeal proceedings before the EPO Boards of Appeal and the German Federal Patent Court
• Preparation of and support in oral proceedings

Product launches, investments and transactions require clarity. We analyse whether IP rights are infringed, whether they are valid and where your freedom to operate lies – as a sound basis for decision-making.

• Freedom-to-operate analyses
• Validity opinions
• Infringement analyses and strategic assessment
• Representation before the Unified Patent Court (UPC)
• Support in licence and settlement negotiations

Technology needs a strong identity. We protect your trademark and product design – nationally, at European level and internationally – and identify conflicts before they become costly.

• German, European and international trademark applications
• Similarity searches and conflict assessments
• Design protection in Germany, the EU and internationally
• Opposition proceedings and portfolio management

Research should become usable innovation. We support universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutions and their technology transfer offices in securing and exploiting intellectual property – from university inventions through research collaborations and licensing to spin-offs.

A particular focus is on IP services accompanying funding applications: for funding applications, project outlines and transfer or validation projects, we set out the IP situation, the protection strategy and the patent-law prerequisites for later exploitation in a clear and comprehensible way.

• University inventions and invention disclosures: assessment of patentability, novelty and inventive step; coordination of patent filing and scientific publication.
• Searches and opinions accompanying applications: prior art, IP situation, delineation of the innovation and patent attorney assessments for funding applications and project outlines.
• Freedom to operate and IP Due Diligence: examination of relevant third-party IP rights, potential obstacles to exploitation and the available IP rights.
• Protection strategy and exploitation concept: IP strategy, patent portfolio and IP protection roadmap as contributions to exploitation plans and to proof-of-concept and validation projects.
• Clarification of rights and research collaborations: allocation of inventions, know-how and research results; background IP, foreground IP and access rights in research and development agreements.
• Licensing and spin-offs: IP transfer, licence and assignment agreements, and support for university spin-offs in coordination with researchers, transfer offices and founding teams.

The result should be a robust IP foundation for funding applications, technology transfer and the commercial exploitation of research results.

The German Act on Employees' Inventions places particular demands on companies – from the invention report and the claim of the invention to adequate remuneration. We establish processes that create legal certainty and relieve your development teams.

• Process advice on invention reports and claims
• Remuneration models and calculations
• Research and development agreements including provisions on contractor inventions
• Internal guidelines and process documentation
• Training for management and development teams

IP rights are investments. We develop an IP strategy with you that aligns with product planning and business objectives, and manage your portfolio throughout its life cycle – from build-up to cost optimisation.

• Portfolio audits and valuation
• Build-up and divestment decisions, renewal fee management
• IP controlling and budget planning
• Support in IP Due Diligence

We coordinate filings and proceedings in your target markets through an experienced network of foreign colleagues – and, on request, systematically monitor relevant IP rights and new filings in your technology field.

• EP validations and PCT national phases
• Management of foreign associate firms
• Systematic IP rights monitoring
• Country-specific strategic recommendations