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The German patent information centres (Patentinformationszentren, PIZ) are the local point of contact for inventors, companies and research institutes. As the DPMA’s long-standing cooperation partner they provide comprehensive information about IP rights at 15 locations all around Germany, especially for SMEs and founders. The centres offer top-quality and bespoke services and guarantee confidentiality. You can find out more about the PIZ services regarding the management of IP here: www.piznet.de (in German).

• SME Fund An initiative by the European Commission, implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office.
• WIPANO – knowledge and technology transfer via patents and standards:
  Funding program by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). The program supports R&D at SMEs and wants to promote the strategic understanding of the patent system and of the advantages of IP rights. The funding supports the registration of a patent or utility model and includes the necessary consultations as well as a prior art search.
• Federal Funding Advisory Service: Free consultation service for finding suitable funding opportunities for research and innovation projects, whether it be the development of products, services, processes or business models. It´s the first point of contact for the early phases of project planning.