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Searches are important

Tips on online searches

pdf-Datei Prior Art Search on the Internet

IP searches can save time, effort and, ultimately, money. They can help avoid duplication of research and development already contained in patent literature. Regular searches in the databases may also keep you from infringing other IP rights.

IP searches are specifically important before filing a utility model application, since a utility model is entered into the official Register without checking all substantive requirements for an effective IP right. However, you will only benefit from a legally valid utility model if your invention complies with these requirements.

Searching within the databases of the DPMA

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You should carefully search the state of the art in order to reduce the risk of subsequent cancellation. The state of the art is the yardstick for assessing the 'novelty' requirement. For this purpose, you can use the DPMA’s free patent database DEPATISnet, containing more than 80 million patent publications from around the world. externer Link Espacenet, the database of the European Patent Office, is also available free of charge. You will find more information about our databases on the sites Search.

Search by the DPMA

As part of the utility model application procedure, you may also file a search request, subject to a fee, in accordance with Section 7(1) of the Utility Models Act. This may be filed together with the application or at a later date, including after the utility model has been registered.

The DPMA will then determine the state of the art relevant to assessing the patentability of the subject-matter of the utility model application. Detailed information on how the search is carried out in utility model proceedings can be found in the pdf-Datei Gebrauchsmuster-Rechercherichtlinien (Utility Model Search Guidelines, only in German).
The application is subject to a fee. The search fee is not refunded if the search is discontinued, for example, due to the withdrawal or rejection of the application. It may therefore be advisable to submit the search request only once it is clear that there are no obstacles to registration.

Classification of technical IP rights

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The International Patent Classification (IPC) systematically classifies technical subjects. The IPC is used to organise patent and utility model specifications and, with the aid of classification symbols, enables language-independent searches within these documents.

The IPC covers the entire field of technology and contains over 70,000 subdivisions to which the respective documents are assigned. The IPC has been used worldwide for the classification of patents and utility models since 1975. Over 100 patent offices worldwide organise their intellectual property documents according to this classification system.

In DEPATISnet, you will find the current edition as well as all previous editions of the International Patent Classification: in German, English and French. The search function enables you to locate IPC headings using keywords and subject terms. In addition, the IPC concordance is available there, which allows you to track changes between different IPC versions. The help function includes not only instructions on how to use the IPC directory but also information on the structure of the IPC.

A database search based on classification headings enables you, amongst other things, to identify patent or utility model documents on a particular topic, regardless of the language and without needing to know specific document numbers.

IPC search

On the search pages, you can find out more about the DPMA's search services and how to search the IPC classification.

Do you have any further questions?

  • You can contact the central customer care and services of the DPMA (phone: +49 89 2195-1000).
  • The search support database hotline (phone: +49 89 2195-3435) will be pleased to answer your questions on searches.
  • Expert staff provide assistance in the search rooms of the DPMA in Munich and Berlin. There, all services offered by the DPMA are available to you.
  • The patent information centres (Patentinformationszentren) also provide expert assistance to you.
  • Searches are also offered by commercial information brokers and patent search agents which you can find via all major Internet search engines.
  • The DPMA also offers workshops and seminars on IP searches and searches. You will find the dates on the events page.
  • You can use the new online-assisted search. Here you meet virtually on the Internet with search experts of the DPMA who will support you individually in your search.

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Picture 1: iStock.com/ldprod, Picture 2: iStock.com/mihailomilovanovic

Last updated: 22 July 2026