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New study
Joint EUIPO-Europol report exposes far-reaching consequences of IP crime in Europe

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)

Five years of the Trade Mark Law Modernisation Act (MaMoG)
Symposium of the Federal Patent Court and the German Patent and Trade Mark Office on trade mark law

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

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Tablet mit Fußball-Stream

Millions of illegal sports streaming and counterfeit sports goods
Europe-wide "Play Fair" campaign launched for the European Football Championship

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.

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DPMAimpuls 2024
Metaverse, mindset change and medium-sized enterprises

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.

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Protection of intellectual property highly strategically relevant for Germany
DPMA President Eva Schewior speaks to business associations in Berlin on World Intellectual Property Day

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.

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Plagiarius dwarf

"Plagiarius 2024"
Negative award goes to particularly brazen product counterfeits

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.

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50 Years of the European Patent Convention
DPMA President congratulates on European success story

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.

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From MIPEX to DPMAdirekt
Success story of paperless filing at the DPMA

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.

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Colourful umbrella

Valid IP rights for a successful IP strategy
An overview of supporting measures taken by the DPMA

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).

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CA1246037

New search mode "Extended" - a look at the DPMAregister is worthwhile
DPMAregister

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.

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Program lines and keyboard

Start into the digital age
Ten years of the electronic file for patents and utility models

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.

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Not only during the Easter season
Warning against Misleading Requests

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.

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VIP4SME
DPMA Information Day for Founders with Migration and Refuge Background

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.

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Last updated: 5 June 2025