karo IP Blog
Learn more about [Patents and Utility models | Trademarks and Designs | Digital Technologies | IP-Strategy].
More IP News in our [News section].
International Trademark Protection
Matthias Rößler - 29. July 2022
In order to be able to market a product internationally or beyond the EU with trademark protection, an international trademark application is an interesting option. The prerequisite for an international registration (IR) is the existence of an already registered or at least pending trademark. This can be a national trademark or an EU trademark.
Third Party Observation in European Patent Law
Justus Kreuels - 14. June 2022
Under the European Patent Convention (EPC), any third party may file with the EPO observations to the patentability of an invention which is the subject of a published European patent application if one sees grounds which might prevent the grant of a patent.
Patent searches, patent databases and search costs
Matthias Rößler - 20. April 2022
Patent searches are an important tool, e.g. to assess the patentability of an invention or to check whether one's own products infringe third-party property rights. In international databases such as Depatisnet (DPMA), Espacenet (EPO) and Patentscope (WIPO), information on patents and utility models published worldwide can be searched.
The new Patent Law Modernization Act
Matthias Rößler - 30. March 2022
Some of the new provisions in patent law adopted as part of the second Patent Law Modernization Act will come into force on May 1, 2022 - for example, the extension of the time limit for PCT applications. DPMA renewal fees will be increased for patents as of July 1, 2022.
Trademark protection for virtual products
Justus Kreuels - 28. February 2022
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have recently gained notoriety, not only in the art market, and have provoked discussions, not least with regard to the infringement of copyright and trademark rights. NFTs are virtual certificates to shares of digital objects or works. Still in its infancy, but with potential: For companies, extending trademark protection to include digital products can be an interesting option.
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for patentable inventions
Justus Kreuels - 17. January 2022
Confidentiality agreements, also known as NDAs ("non-disclosure agreements"), play an important role in the field of intellectual property. For a patentable development for which a patent application has not yet been filed, a non-disclosure agreement should be drawn up with all parties involved before confidential information is exchanged that is not to be made public.