DPMAdirekt in detail

Step 1: Establishing the application documents
You can use any software to draw up the application documents. All established files must be converted into the specified formats, such as PDF or XML for text files. This ensures that both database data and data established using a word processing program can be processed.

Step 2: Check by the applicant
In a second step, applicants can check by means of the DPMAdirekt software whether all required details have been included. The DPMAdirekt software is available free of charge from our office.

Step 3: Encrypted and signed transmission
Please send the completed and verified application to the virtual mail office ("Virtuelle Poststelle" - VPS) of the DPMA. Your application must be provided with a digital signature. You need a signature card for establishing a digital signature. A list of suppliers of signature cards is available at www.bundesnetzagentur.de. In addition, your application is encrypted and protected from unauthorised access.

Step 4: Acceptance
Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a confirmation of receipt. We will first provide your application with a digital time stamp. Then it will be decrypted and checked for computer viruses. The validity of your digital signature will also be verified. Unsigned or infected mailings will not be accepted.

Step 5: Initial processing of your application at our office
We will check again whether your application is complete and correct. If the data are complete and syntactically correct, you will receive a legally binding acknowledgement of receipt mentioning the application date and the official file number. You can request this acknowledgement at VPS.

Step 6: Examination of your application
We will now examine the content of your application. For example, we check if your invention is patentable. If your application is for a utility model or a trade mark, we check the eligibility for registration.

© 2013 Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt | Last updated 13/05/13