Design and patent protection – comprehensive protection and exploitation of innovations
A good product is not only technically impressive, but also stands out thanks to its design, recognisability and market presence. This is precisely where well-thought-out design and patent protection comes into play. While patents secure technical innovations, designs protect the external appearance and brands protect the origin and marketing of your products. We provide strategic advice on the optimal combination of these property rights and develop a protection concept that secures your innovations in the long term and makes them economically viable.
The protection of technical developments and design achievements is a key factor for sustainable market success. We analyse which intellectual property rights make sense for your product, how they can be optimally coordinated and what role trademarks play in conjunction with patents and designs. In doing so, we not only keep an eye on legal protection, but also on the subsequent market presence and exploitability of your rights.
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Design registration – exclusive protection for shape, design and appearance
Good design speaks for itself – and deserves legal protection. Whether it's the shape of a product, packaging, a graphical user interface or an interface: design registration secures the exclusivity of your design. We check whether your design has the necessary novelty and individual character, develop a suitable registration strategy and support you in presenting your design in the best possible way during the registration process.
From national design registration to European Community design protection and international design registrations, we represent your interests comprehensively. We also use our experience to resolutely support you in enforcing your design rights against imitators.
Patents and trademarks – strategically complementing the protection of technical innovations
Patents protect technical inventions, but are limited in time. Trademarks, on the other hand, can be renewed indefinitely and are particularly effective at the marketing level. A cleverly constructed trademark can maintain the economic value of a patented product even after the patent protection has expired.
We advise you on parallel brand strategies for technical products and show you how trademarks, designs and patents can be effectively combined. If necessary, we refer you to our network of experienced patent attorneys, with whom we have been working closely for many years. This results in a comprehensive protection concept that is both legally sound and effective in the marketplace.
Strategic thinking in design and patent protection – we provide comprehensive advice
Whether you need to file a single design application or develop a complex protection strategy for innovative products, we support you from the initial analysis to the enforcement of your rights. We combine legal precision with a clear understanding of economic contexts and market mechanisms.
Contact us if you want to strategically protect your designs, technical innovations and trademarks – for advice that safeguards innovation and creates value.
Your partners
Lawyer Christian Röhl, LL.M.
Certified Intellectual Property Lawyer
Partner
Lawyer Patrick Richnow, LL.M.
Certified Intellectual Property Lawyer
Senior Associate
Lawyer Jan Haßold, LL.M.
Specialized in copyright and media law
Salary Partner
FAQ – Frequently asked questions in trademark law
A design protects the external appearance of a product, a trademark protects distinctive features such as names or logos, and a patent protects technical inventions. Each type of intellectual property right has its own function – when used together, they are most effective.
A registered design can be protected for up to 25 years, provided that the renewal fees are paid every five years.
Patent protection generally lasts for a maximum of 20 years from the date of application, provided that the annual maintenance fees are paid.
Yes, and this is often where the greatest strategic advantage lies. Combining different intellectual property rights creates a strong legal and economic position in the market.
Patents are handled by specialised patent attorneys. The enforcement and defence of trademark and design rights before the ordinary courts is carried out by licensed solicitors. We work closely with experienced patent attorneys in this area.
Because patents are limited in time, while trademarks and designs create long-term value. A coordinated strategy protects innovation, design and marketing in equal measure.