Patent law and utility model law regulate the protection of technical inventions and are essentially: Patent Act (PatG) and Utility Model Act (GebrMG) geregelt. Durch die Erteilung eines Patents oder die Eintragung eines Gebrauchsmusters wird dem Erfinder/Inhaber das Recht gewährt, seine Erfindung ausschließlich selbst zu nutzen und jedem anderen die Nutzung zu untersagen (Ausschließlichkeitsrecht). Dieser monopolartige Schutz einer technischen Lehre erfordert eine Anmeldung des Schutzrechts und entsteht erst mit dessen Eintragung im Register – dann allerdings rückwirkend. Die maximale Schutzdauer für ein Patent beträgt sowohl für das deutsche als auch das europäische Patent 20 Jahre, für das Gebrauchsmuster 10 Jahre. Im Vorfeld oder unabhängig von einer Eintragung kann ein Schutz technischen Wissens (technisches Know-How) nur durch Geheimhaltung gewährleistet werden.
Especially in Baden-Württemberg, as a model country in the area of technical research and development, there is a large number of traditional companies, medium-sized companies with global market power (“hidden champions”) and other companies with great innovative strength. However, in the face of global competition and changing markets, these too always require new incentives and developments that cannot always be provided from within our own ranks.
At the same time, there are a large number of researchers and idea generators who strive to develop and exploit their results on their own within the framework of start-up companies or collaborations. To do this, they usually need donors, cooperation partners or partners in the context of exploitation.
When dealing with patents, utility models and know-how, sound legal advice is essential, for example when registering and licensing intellectual property rights, but also when securing and preserving know-how, e.g. through confidentiality agreements in advance of a collaboration.
In cross-company collaboration such as horizontal or vertical development cooperation, strategic alliances or contract research, research and development contracts (development agreements), service and service contracts, agreements on feasibility studies (technical feasibility agreements, study agreements) or the examination of the legal aspects of specifications are particularly important. Requirements specifications, user requirement specifications (URS), quality agreements or technical agreements play a major role.
Following the development activity or in direct connection with it, license agreements, manufacturing contracts, especially contract manufacturing contracts, or supplier agreements are often concluded.
The use of English-language contract templates or texts is common and necessary, especially in the context of international work or collaboration with large companies.
In addition to the contractual aspects, legal enforcement in patent law also plays an important role in the age of globalization and product piracy. Patent law enables the rights holder to effectively enforce his rights to cease and desist, information, compensation and removal and, for example, to have plagiarism confiscated by customs or to enforce inspection claims against the infringer.
Our expertise in utility model and patent law
Our specialized lawyers and specialist lawyers are available to help you with all legal questions relating to patent law, utility model law and license agreement law. This includes advice and representation in German and English when concluding contracts, the out-of-court pursuit of interests through or defense against warnings and the conduct of patent infringement proceedings (particularly through interim legal protection) as well as the legal representation of interests in opposition proceedings and nullity actions before the responsible patent offices and courts. For national or international patent and utility model applications, filings, research services and disputes, we can rely on proven cooperation with patent law firms.
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