The number of trade mark applications in particular has risen sharply. Why?

There has indeed been an enormous rise. With more than 96,000 trade mark applications in 2025, we reached the level of our all-time high. Only at the turn of the millennium did we have slightly more applications. Back then, the increase was mainly due to the founding of many new internet enterprises. The current growth can partly be traced back to the fact that big online retail platforms require providers to have a trade mark. A second important cause is the soaring demand from China and the USA: applications from China have increased by almost 200%, those from the USA by around 100%. This indicates a significant growth in economic activity of both countries on the German market.

For patents, the applications from German companies in particular have increased significantly.

That’s true — and of course we are very happy about it. Patent applications notably decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. But I´m deliberately saying “during” and not “because of”. Because the consequences of the pandemic were just one of multiple reasons. According to our observations, another reason was the structural change in innovative activity. In many technological fields, where Germany has traditionally been highly innovative — for example combustion engines or classical engineering — the application numbers have been stagnating or even decreasing over the past years. In contrast, fields in which other countries are very active have seen a boom here, such as digital technologies or battery technology. The electrical engineering sector accounts for an ever-increasing share of the applications. Our numbers now show that German companies, too, are becoming more active in the growing technology fields. In the field of “Computer technology”, to which a big part of inventions in regard to artificial intelligence are attributed, Germany has even gained ground recently — at least when it comes to the number of patent applications. That is definitely one reason why the application numbers from Germany are rising again. Under no circumstances must we let up promoting future technologies. Which the federal government also emphasises with its High-Tech Agenda.

Two years ago, the patent system underwent the most important reform of the last decades with the introduction of the European unitary patent. What is your conclusion so far?

I´m happy the European Unitary Patent and the Unified European Court have had such a good start. The new regulations offer great benefits to many patent applicants. In my view, it’s good that the new court incorporated important elements of the successful German system — especially the focus on a high degree of technical expertise. This fosters trust in the Unitary Patent and helps promote its acceptance. Another positive development for us is that the German patent system has not lost any of its attractiveness because of the Unitary Patent. That applies to the industry, as our numbers show. And it applies especially to innovative start-ups and middle-sized enterprises, in particular because there are fewer obstacles to enforcement compared to the German system. Time has proven: the European and the national system complement each other and offer companies many attractive options for a successful IP strategy.

How does the DPMA want to secure the attractiveness and effectiveness of the Office in the field of patents?

We have a clear mission: we want to provide IP rights of the highest quality — and we want to do this as efficiently as possible. To achieve this aim, we analysed user interests and want to adapt our services correspondingly. We are already working on specific measures.

How does the office stay attractive when it comes to IT?

We want to continue to play a leading role among the German authorities. Of course, we see the various challenges regarding the federal budget, but we have clear ideas. When it comes to using AI, for example, we have already set up the organisational structures — as we are already using several individual AI-based applications at the DPMA. And we have many ideas about where else AI can help us to better manage certain challenges. Our “Innovation Lab” team will systematically test possible AI applications. And an interdisciplinary task force that was set up specifically for this purpose will not only examine the technical, but also the legal requirements, so we can not only work efficiently, but also in compliance with the law.

Another important project is our web-based user portal. This portal will make the electronic access to the DPMA and the management of one’s IP rights much easier and also provide many new features. We have already launched this project, and I´m very happy that we will be able offer our clients even better digital services in the future.

Another important change was the introduction of section 26a of the Patent Act four years ago, which concerns the Office’s duty to raise awareness about IP rights especially among small and medium-sized enterprises. How important is this task to you?

This task is of immense importance, and we are deeply committed to it. Around 100 million people in Europe are employed by small and medium-sized enterprises, so they can truly be called the backbone of our national economies. In addition, many SMEs are highly innovative, technology-driven start-ups, which are incredibly important for our innovation ecosystem. These start-ups urgently depend on valid IP rights. And we take this responsibility very seriously. This is also why we conducted a study about how start-ups manage IP rights.

And what was the result?

The study was supported by the World Intellectual Property Organization and conducted by the OTH Regensburg, which boasts a very high level of IP competence. The OTH Regensburg evaluated data from almost 13,000 start-ups from research-intensive industries and held 30 in-depth interviews. For me, two key insights are especially important: technology-driven start-ups benefit greatly from IP rights and also recognise the advantages they offer. At the same time, there is still a high need for information and many strategic points where we can improve these enterprises’ access to the IP system. We are currently evaluating the results — and we will then draw our conclusions and develop suitable measures.

Another measure is about to launched: You want to tour German regions with a new event format.

Yes, in the course of the year we will start a road show to raise interest in IP rights among SMEs, start-ups and founders. For this and next year, we have 16 events in total planned for every region in Germany. We go where the SMEs are. For these events, we work together with the patent information centres of the German Länder, regional chambers of commerce and industry as well as with the association for IP experts, VPP. We want to spread knowledge on IP rights. But we will also have companies that are already using IP rights illustrating their case. This way, companies have the opportunities to network and, ideally, learn from each other.

For the DPMA to be able to pursue its strategic goals, it needs skilled staff. How attractive is the DPMA as an employer?

Our tasks are crucial for economy and industry. By protecting intellectual property, by protecting innovation, we contribute directly to facing social challenges, to promoting prosperity and getting our country ready for the future. To play a part in all of this simply feels good. And our highly skilled experts in the patent examination department in particular work at the edge of innovation. What could be more appealing to people with an interest in technology? But we also offer many tangible benefits: our colleagues enjoy a high degree of flexibility in carrying out their tasks. We offer the option of working from home and part-time work, so that they can tailor their working arrangement in terms of location and hours — and thus strike the best possible balance between career and personal circumstances. As an employer in the public sector, we provide fair compensation and of course a high degree of security, which understandably is of particular importance to many people in difficult economic times. In short: there have probably been never so many good reasons to apply to the DPMA. Give it a try!