Law

This page lists the essential legislation governing German patents, utility models, trade marks and designs as well as procedures at the DPMA. It also includes legal provisions defining our other duties.

• DPMA Ordinance (Verordnung über das Deutsche Patent- und Markenamt) (in German only)
• Ordinance on Electronic Legal Transactions with the DPMA (Verordnung über den elektronischen Rechtsverkehr beim Deutschen Patent- und Markenamt (ERVDPMAV)) (in German only)
• Patent Costs Act [PDF, 232 KB] (Patentkostengesetz) (excerpt)
• Patent Costs Payment Ordinance [PDF, 186 KB] (Patentkostenzahlungsverordnung)
• Ordinance Concerning the Administrative Costs at the DPMA (DPMA-Verwaltungskostenverordnung) (in German only)
• Wahrnehmungsverordnung (WahrnV) (in German only)

• Guidelines for the Examination Procedure (P2796.1) [PDF, 740 KB] The current version is being updated.
• Guidelines for the Classification of Patent and Utility Model Applications (P 2733.1) [PDF, 155 KB] The current version is being updated.
• Guidelines for Opposition, Revocation and Limitation Proceedings before the DPMA [PDF, 64 KB]
• Richtlinien für die Durchführung der Recherche nach § 43 PatG (Rechercherichtlinien, P3611) [PDF, 272 KB] (in German only)
• Umschreibungsrichtlinien (A 9139) [PDF, 251 KB] (in German only)

• Guidelines for the Classification of Patent and Utility Model Applications (P 2733.1) [PDF, 155 KB] The current version is being updated.
• Guidelines for the Search under Section 7 of the Utility Model Act (G 6183.1) [PDF, 184 KB]
• Umschreibungsrichtlinien (A 9139) [PDF, 251 KB] (in German only)

• Richtlinie für die Prüfung von Markenanmeldungen und für die Registerführung (W 7735) (not accessible) [PDF, 2 MB] (in German only)
• Richtlinie für das markenrechtliche Widerspruchsverfahren (W 7736) [PDF, 2 MB] (in German only)
• Umschreibungsrichtlinien (A 9139) [PDF, 251 KB] (in German only)

• Umschreibungsrichtlinien (A 9139) [PDF, 251 KB] (in German only)

• Data Protection Statement
• Merkblatt "Datenschutz bei Schutzrechtsanmeldungen" (A 9106) [PDF, 322 KB] (in German only)
• Information leaflet “Data Protection regarding IP applications” (A 9106.1) [PDF, 437 KB]
• Merkblatt „Datenschutz bei Veranstaltungen des DPMA“ (A 9106a) [PDF, 219 KB] (in German only)

• Copyright Act (Urheberrechtsgesetz)
• Act on Collective Management Organisations (also: Collecting Societies Act; Verwertungsgesellschaftengesetz)

• Employee Inventions Act (Gesetz über Arbeitnehmererfindungen) (in German only)
• Patent Attorney Code (Patentanwaltsordnung) and Ordinance Concerning Patent Attorney Training and Examination (Patentanwaltsausbildungs- und -prüfungsverordnung (PatAnwAPrV)) (both in German only)

• Federal Act Governing Access to Information held by the Federal Government (Freedom of Information Act) (Informationsfreiheitsgesetz)
• Ordinance on Fees Payable under the Freedom of Information Act (Informationsgebührenverordnung (IFGGebV)) (in German only)

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