Content
Search - Find - Protect
A new study by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in cooperation with Europol shows how closely intellectual property infringements (IP crime) are linked to organized crime. Such crimes not only affect companies, which suffer considerable economic losses. They also have an impact on our health, safety and environment.
The study also highlights how modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and networked IT systems are being used by global criminal groups to create new criminal opportunities. The study supports the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and helps to better combat crimes such as product piracy and currency counterfeiting. It provides important insights for the assessment of threats in the area of serious and organized crime (SOCTA).
to the study on the EUIPO website (in English)
Katharina Mirbt: "Great openness for new trade mark forms and extensive uniformity in the European single market" - More options for action and greater reliability through European harmonisation
Read more
This year, Europe is the epicentre of all things sport. The world is gearing up to watch spectacular goals during the UEFA EURO 2024, photo finishes at the Tour de France and gold-medal-winning moments at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. But as Europeans prepare to tune into the biggest broadcast sporting events, millions of them may do so illegally.
Read more
In direct dialogue with innovative companies: for the second time, the DPMA hosted DPMAimpuls, with guests from industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, associations, organisations and the patent judiciary. Following the very successful inaugural event last year, the informal dialogue was this time held under the motto “digital transformation” – a topic of immense importance to the future that is of great interest to society, businesses, politics and state institutions alike.
Read more
In a keynote speech to high-ranking business representatives on World Intellectual Property Day, DPMA President Eva Schewior emphasised the strategic importance of IP rights for Germany as a business location. "The reliable protection of innovations - especially in key technologies - is also of high strategic relevance for Germany," said Schewior at the "Intellectual Property Day" on 26 April in Berlin.
read more
From a wine glass to a LEGO VW Beetle kit to a bimetal thermomanometer: This is the range of counterfeit products that received this year's "Plagiarius Awards" at the "Ambiente" consumer goods fair. This is the 48th time since 1977 that "Aktion Plagiarius e.V." has awarded the "Schmähpreis" to manufacturers and retailers of particularly brazen counterfeits and fakes. The trophy is a black dwarf with a golden nose.
Read more
Exactly 50 years ago today, on 5 October 1973, 16 participating states signed the European Patent Convention in Munich. This treaty under international law laid the foundation for today's European patent system. On the occasion of the celebrations, DPMA President Eva Schewior congratulated: "The signing of the European Patent Convention 50 years ago was a major milestone.
Read more
Two anniversaries at once: in July 2022, the DPMA will look back on 20 years of paperless patent applications, and shortly before that, the DPMA received the two millionth document relating to an IP right at the DPMA - a design application filed via DPMAdirektWeb. This was not always the case.
Read more
Valid IP rights are what shape successful IP strategies. A permanently high quality of the IP rights is immensely important and one of the main strategic goals of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA).
Read more
The new "Advanced" search mode in DPMAregister offers many options to customise the search form. Furthermore, you can find the legal and procedural status information on patents, utility models, trade marks, designs and the respective publication data online, free of charge, securely and without registration formalities in our online register.
read more
Ten years ago, a new era began at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office: on 1 June 2011, the electronic case file for patents and utility models was launched. From then on, we could process patent and utility model applications fully electronically from receipt at the DPMA to publication.
Read more
The German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) regularly receives complaints about such letters via customer service. The DPMA positively points out that all these letters are not related to the Office. The Office does not send invoices or requests for payment at any time - neither for the application or renewal of industrial property rights nor for the publication of industrial property rights in the official registers.
Read More
According to studies, citizens with foreign roots often set up companies and increasingly contribute to technical innovation. In Munich, the DPMA now hosted an information day - and met guests with ambitious plans.
Read more
Last updated: 5 June 2025
Not only protecting innovations
Social Media