Bereich DPMA

Events in 2021

DPMAnutzerforum 2021 conference

High number of concluded procedures at the DPMA, the impact of the pandemic on filing behaviour, artificial intelligence and the unitary patent on the home straight: The DPMAnutzerforum 2021 conference provided an overview of current IP topics.

DPMAnutzerforum 2021, Studio
DPMAnutzerforum 2021, Studio

The virtual DPMAnutzerforum conference was a first. Due to the pandemic, we decided not to hold a face-to-face event. The advantage of the virtual conference was that instead of a maximum number of 400 visitors on-site, about 1,000 registered guests from industry, law firms, research institutions, colleges and universities as well as IP service providers were able to watch the DPMAnutzerforum live on the Internet. By the way, most of them followed the online user forum on 30 March 2021 from their offices at home, as a live survey among attendees revealed.

A finger on the pulse of legislation

“Strengthening intellectual property through legislation” was the subject of a dialogue between moderator Ulrich Walter and Dr Christian Wichard from the Federal Ministry of Justice. Among other things, Mr Walter wanted to know which current legislative projects were being discussed. Dr Wichard explained details of the government draft of the Second Patent Law Modernisation Act (2. Patentrechts­modernisierungsgesetz), which was being debated in the German Bundestag at that time.

DPMAnutzerforum 2021, moderiertes Gespräch, Zeichnung: Frank Rollitz, Sandra Schulze (Graphic Recording)
DPMAnutzerforum 2021, moderiertes Gespräch, Zeichnung: Frank Rollitz, Sandra Schulze (Graphic Recording)

Quo vadis, AI?

The DPMAnutzerforum conference always includes a panel discussion, which on that occasion was partly held as video conference. The discussion focused on the very topical issue of the patentability of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence has experienced an enormous boost in recent years. The availability of large amounts of data, large computer resources and advanced methods have led to the development of improved algorithms and neural networks. As a result, machines today have sophisticated cognitive abilities and digitisation is being hugely boosted by artificial intelligence.

The DPMAnutzerforum conference 2021 was rounded off by three online seminars. They focused on the electronic DPMAregister, how to deal with Asian patent literature and the implementation of the Trade Mark Law Modernisation Act (Markenrechts­modernisierungsgesetz).

All topics can be found on our website and partly on our YouTube channel.

The PIZnet Action Week

VIP Ticket The PIZnet Action Week 2021

Sixteen out of a total of nineteen patent information centres (PIZs) participated in another PIZnet action week for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, which was held from 20 to 24 September 2021.

Companies received free, neutral and confidential advice on value creation and risk avoidance in dealing with intellectual property (IP) under the heading “IP Strategies for SMEs”. In the roughly two-hour orientation consultations, experts from the patent information centres analysed a company’s specific IP situation, especially with regard to patents, utility models, trade marks and designs. However, elements of what is known as “soft IP”, which include trade secrets and copyright, were also considered. On this basis, those seeking advice received an initial assessment of the opportunities and risks relevant to them in the field of intellectual property with specific recommendations for action – from individual suggestions for the optimum use of their intellectual property to approaches for strategic competitive advantages.

Third Jena Design Law Day

In collaboration with Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the German Brands Association (Markenverband e.V.), the DPMA annually organises the event, alternating from year to year between the Jena Trade Mark Law Day and the Jena Design Law Day.

The Third Jena Design Law Day, originally scheduled for 2020 and 2021, had to be cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic and is now expected to take place on 1 September 2022.

Jena lectures
14 January, 9 September, 7 October and 24 November 2021

The very popular Jena lectures on industrial property and copyright have been held since 2001. They were launched by our Jena sub-office in cooperation with Professor Dr Volker Michael Jänich (Gerd Bucerius Chair of Civil Law with German and International Industrial Property Protection, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena). Since then, IP experts have presented and discussed current intellectual property issues within the scope of this lecture series several times a year.

It was particularly pleasing that it was possible, with the technical support of the Friedrich Schiller University, to offer the events in 2021 online or in hybrid format for the numerous interested guests, despite the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As a co-organiser, the centre-east district group of the Association of Intellectual Property Experts (VPP) and the German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR) support the public series of lectures, for which admission is free. In 2021, four Jena lectures were held on the following subjects:

14 January 2021
“The act for strengthening fair competition”
Professor Dr Volker Michael Jänich, Friedrich Schiller University, judge at the Thuringia Higher Regional Court

9  September 2021
“Patents and licences in insolvency”
Professor Dr Sebastian Wündisch, LL.M., lawyer in Dresden, head of the GRUR centre-east district group

7  October 2021
“Annex claims with regard to IP infringement”
Michaela Gilch (Dipl.-Wi. Jur.) and Dr Lars Petri
Lawyers and IP lawyers in Jena and Würzburg

24 November 2021
“Patents in the pandemic”
Professor Dr Christoph Ann, LL.M., Corporate and Intellectual Property Law, Technical University of Munich

Would you like to be invited to attend the Jena lectures? Then, please contact Daniela Wagner (telephone: +49 3641 405501, e-mail: daniela.wagner@dpma.de).

G7 meeting

Flaggen der G7-Staaten, Bildnachweis: iStock.com, Vector

At a virtual meeting of the G7 countries, DPMA President Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer met the heads of the other national IP offices and Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The meeting, also attended by a representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice (Bundesministerium der Justiz), discussed, among other topics, intellectual property in healthcare and future technologies as well as the enforcement of IP rights and cooperation with and under the umbrella of WIPO.

In a common statement, the heads of IP offices recognised, among other things, the importance of the global IP system for the development of and access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines and drugs, arguing for flexibility within this system in order to support the development of future technologies.

Furthermore, the participants agreed on improving the global system for the enforcement of IP rights. The heads of IP offices additionally emphasised their support for WIPO’s endeavours to promote innovation and creativity worldwide. They expressly welcomed initiatives to highlight the importance of intellectual property for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Bidding farewell to DPMA Vice President Christine Moosbauer

At the end of May, Christine Moosbauer, the previous Vice-President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), celebrated her retirement and Bernd Maile, her successor, was entrusted with the duties of Vice-President.

Christine Moosbauer (in the front) with DPMA President Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer and DPMA Vice-President Ulrich Deffaa
Christine Moosbauer (in the front) with DPMA President Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer and DPMA Vice-President Ulrich Deffaa

“I very warmly thank Christine Moosbauer for the successful collaboration,” said DPMA President Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer. “She had a direct hand in shaping the strategy to change the DPMA from a traditional administrative authority to a modern, digital service provider. During 30 years of farsighted work in different positions at the DPMA, she promoted the digitisation of the office and made it a pioneer in e-government. An expert in management and strategic issues, she additionally set important milestones and initiated future measures,” said Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer, adding: “We will benefit from the IT strategy she developed and the digital roadmap to implement it in the future too.”

Christine Moosbauer was born near Passau and lives at Lake Chiemsee. She studied Communications Engineering at the Technical University of Munich. After working for medical technology companies for nine years, she joined the DPMA in 1992 — initially as Deputy Head of section in IT organisation. Subsequently, Christine Moosbauer became a patent examiner and Head of the patent administration at the DPMA with 350 staff. From 2006 onwards, she headed the IT Planning and Development Division. In February 2013, she became Head of a patent division and, in May 2015, Head of Directorate General “Information”. In September 2017, she was the first woman to hold the office of Vice-President, focusing on IT and strategic management.

Congratulations also came from Berlin: Ms Kerstin Lubenow, Head of Directorate Z A at the Federal Ministry of Justice, presented her with a personal letter of thanks from Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht.