Intellectual Property Germany

Intellectual Property in Germany

Intellectual property (IP) encompasses the protection of intangible assets: trademarks, patents, designs, and copyrights. Germany offers with DPMA, EPO, and proximity to EUIPO a strong system for protecting innovations and brand identities.

Trademark Law

Types of Trademarks

Trademark Type	Examples
Word Mark	Name, slogan (e.g., "Just Do It")
Figurative Mark	Logo, symbol (e.g., Apple logo)
Combined Mark	Combination of text and graphics
3D Mark	Product shape (e.g., Coca-Cola bottle)
Color Mark	Single color (e.g., Telekom magenta)
Sound Mark	Jingle, melody

Trademark Registration

Feature	German Trademark (DPMA)	EU Trademark (EUIPO)
Territory	Germany	27 EU states
Basic Fee	€290 (3 classes)	€850 (1 class)
Additional Classes	+€100 per class	+€50 (2nd class), +€150 (3rd+)
Processing Time	3-6 months	4-6 months
Protection Period	10 years, renewable	10 years, renewable

Registration Process

1. Trademark Search: Check for conflicts with prior marks
2. Class Selection: Define goods/services classes (Nice Classification)
3. Application: Online at DPMA or EUIPO
4. Examination: Formal and absolute grounds
5. Opposition Period: 3 months after publication
6. Registration: If no opposition

Enforcing Trademark Rights

• Warning Letter: Extrajudicial demand to cease
• Preliminary Injunction: Fast court protection
• Main Proceedings: Injunction, damages, information
• Border Seizure: Customs measures against counterfeits

Patent Law

Patentable Inventions

Patent protection is available for technical inventions that are:

• Novel (not known worldwide)
• Inventive (not obvious to a person skilled in the art)
• Industrially applicable

Not Patentable

• Discoveries, scientific theories
• Software as such (but: computer-implemented inventions possible)
• Business methods
• Medical treatment methods

Types of Patents

Patent Type	Territory	Cost	Duration
German Patent	Germany	From €400 + annual fees	Max. 20 years
European Patent	EPO member states	From €5,000 + national validation	Max. 20 years
Unitary Patent	EU (17 states)	From €5,000 (simplified)	Max. 20 years
Utility Model	Germany	From €40	Max. 10 years

Patent Application

1. Prior Art Search: Check state of the art
2. Patent Specification: Technical description, claims
3. Application: DPMA or EPO
4. Examination: 2-4 years (with examination request)
5. Grant: Publication and opposition period

Design Protection

What is Protected?

The registered design protects the external appearance of a product:

• Shape, contours
• Colors, lines
• Ornamentation, patterns
• Surface texture

Design Registration

Feature	German Design	EU Design
Office	DPMA	EUIPO
Basic Fee	€70	€350
Protection Period	Max. 25 years (5-year periods)	Max. 25 years (5-year periods)
Processing	Approx. 2-3 months	Approx. 1-2 weeks

Unregistered Design

In the EU, automatic protection exists for 3 years from publication, but only against identical copying.

Copyright

Automatic Protection

Copyright arises automatically upon creation of a work. No registration required.

Protected Works

• Literature: Books, articles, blog posts
• Software: Source code, programs
• Music: Compositions, recordings
• Art: Paintings, photographs, sculptures
• Film: Videos, animations
• Architecture: Building designs

Duration of Protection

• Moral Rights: 70 years after author's death
• Economic Rights: 70 years after death (transferable)
• Related Rights: 50-70 years after publication

IP Rights Enforcement

Warning Letter

First step for infringement: Extrajudicial demand to cease and desist.

• Content: Cease and desist, damages claim, costs
• Cease and Desist Declaration: Penalty-backed commitment
• Costs: Attorney fees based on value in dispute (often €1,000-10,000)

Preliminary Injunction

• Urgency: Fast protection without main proceedings
• Application: At competent Regional Court
• Deadline: Usually 4-6 weeks after knowledge
• Security Deposit: May be required

Main Proceedings

• Injunction Action: Prohibition of further use
• Damages: License analogy, profit disgorgement, or actual damage
• Information Claim: Determine extent of infringement
• Destruction Claim: Destruction of infringing products

Cost Overview

IP Right	Official Fees	Attorney Costs (approx.)
German Trademark	€290	€500-1,500
EU Trademark	€850	€1,000-2,500
German Patent	€400 + annual fees	€3,000-10,000
European Patent	€5,000+	€10,000-30,000
Design	€70-350	€300-1,000

Our Services

• Trademark Search: Conflict check before filing
• Trademark Registration: DPMA, EUIPO, international registration
• Trademark Watching: Monitoring new applications
• Patent Advisory: In cooperation with patent attorneys
• Design Protection: Registration and enforcement
• License Agreements: Drafting and negotiation
• Infringement Proceedings: Warning, injunction, lawsuit