Convergence Projects within the EU The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), national offices such as the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) and user associations are working together to harmonise the examination practices and standards of the…
Examination and Registration What is examined by the Design Unit? The DPMA first checks whether all indications and documents required for the application have been received. The details of the applicant, the representation of the design and the indication of…
Requirements of Protection The design must be new and have individual character Pursuant to Section 2 of the Design Act ( Designgesetz ), your design must meet two criteria: the design must be new at the date of filing and it must have individual character. Novelty…
Questions about Designs FAQ Here you will find a selection of frequently asked questions on design protection What is a design? A design is defined as the "two-dimensional or three-dimensional appearance of the whole or a part of a product". It results, for example,…
Invalidity Proceedings Invalidity proceedings before the DPMA During the registration procedure before the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), only the formal requirements and a few substantive requirements for design protection are examined, namely the…
DPMA Annual Report 2024: Sharp rise in patent applications from Germany on renewable energies Germany among the leaders in published patent applications in solar technology and wind power - DPMA President: Protected innovations important factor for achieving climate…
‘Concentrated expertise on industrial property protection’ President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) welcomes newly appointed members of the DPMA User Advisory Council as the central advisory body of the DPMA: ‘Intellectual property is of utmost…
Enjoy your vacation — say no to fakes! DPMA President Eva Schewior warns against buying counterfeit products on vacation - Penalties for buying counterfeits in street shops - Brand and product piracy causes immense damage - German customs seized counterfeit goods…
Design Protection Further topics Requirements of Protection Registered designs protect the appearance of your products Registered designs protect the appearance of industrially manufactured or manually crafted products, for example, clothes, furniture, vehicles,…
Design Protection Abroad Overview Registered designs only have legal effect in the country in which they are registered (territoriality principle). That means that designs registered at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) are protected in the Federal…