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Intellectual property: Free advice for SMEs and start-ups nationwide

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German Patent and Trade Mark Office and Association of German patent information centres announce PIZnet Action Week (PIZnet-Aktionswoche) in September – recognising and seizing opportunities arising from patents, utility models, trade marks and designs

Press release of 26 August 2025

Munich. The German Patent and Trade Mark Office and the Association of German patent information centres (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Patentinformationszentren e.V. - PIZnet e.V.) announce this year's PIZnet Action Week (PIZnet-Aktionswoche), which will take place nationwide from 22 to 26 September 2025. In accordance with the theme "property rights protection for SMEs", small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and founding teams will have the opportunity to attend a free, professional preliminary consultation on their intellectual property.

SMEs are squandering millions in potential through unprotected innovations

Patents, utility models, trademarks and designs pay off. Recent studies by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) show that companies with intellectual property rights generate 32 per cent more revenue per employee and have 21 per cent better growth prospects. Nevertheless, only nine per cent of European SMEs register intellectual property rights – often due to a lack of awareness of the opportunities and benefits of intellectual property (IP) protection.

"Many companies are unaware of the valuable intangible assets they already possess," Anne Fröhlich, who coordinates the cooperation with PIZnet at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, explains. "With this campaign week, our patent information centres offer a unique opportunity to identify and secure this potential systematically."

Professional IP analysis by DPMA cooperation partners

The PIZnet Action Week offers much more than general guidance counselling: the 16 patent information centres are well-established cooperation partners of the DPMA with years of experience in professional research of industrial property rights. They perform systematic IP analyses in accordance with the PIZnet quality standard practised nationwide.

This exclusive and free offer includes:

  • Brief two-hour analysis of all company-specific IP areas
  • Professional risk assessment of the current IP situation and economic opportunities
  • Strategic recommendations for optimal use of property rights to gain competitive advantages
  • Detailed audit report with specific recommendations for optimisation
  • Identification of infringement risks and gaps in protection

Please note: These initial consultations do not constitute legal advice.

A proven concept with measurable success: Arrange a free consultation appointment for the PIZnet Action Week from 22 to 26 September in your region.

The concept of the PIZnet Action Week was co-developed by the DPMA and PIZnet and has successfully established itself in recent years. Participating companies gain valuable insights not only into their IP portfolio, but also into concrete starting points for the further development of their innovation strategies.

"The PIZnet Action Week bridges the gap between the initial business idea and the professional IP strategy,", Stephan Jekat from PIZ Dortmund emphasises. "Our experts help to avoid costly mistakes and to protect innovations optimally."

Registration and further information

Interested companies can register directly at: info@piznet.de.

An interactive map showing all participating patent information centres and detailed information can be found at: externer Link www.piznet.de (in German only).

About PIZnet

PIZnet is a Germany-wide network of 16 patent information centres (PIZ). The PIZ have been well-established cooperation partners of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) for many years and act as regional points of contact for guidance on innovation protection issues. They support the economy, science and start-ups in identifying, using, monitoring and managing their patents, utility models, trade marks and designs, as well as in avoiding infringements of third-party rights.

The German Patent- and Trade Mark Office

Inventiveness and creativity need effective protection. The DPMA is the German centre of expertise for all intellectual property rights – for patents, utility models, trade marks and designs. As the largest national patent office in Europe and the sixth largest national patent office in the world, it represents the future of Germany as a country of inventors in a globalised economy. Its approximately 2,800 employees at three locations – Munich, Jena and Berlin – provide services to inventors and companies. They implement the Federal Government's innovation strategies and further develop national, European and international protection systems.

Picture 1: iStock.com/skynesher

Last updated: 26 August 2025