World IP DAY
Why do small and medium-sized enterprises play a special role in intellectual property?
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of our economy. Well over 90 % of all companies in Germany are small and medium-sized enterprises. Each of these companies start with an idea. Products are created that are used by consumers and they create jobs.
Intellectual property rights help companies protecting business assets and creating value. Yet many are not aware that or how they can obtain effective protection for their innovations. However, studies also show that companies that are aware of and acquire IP rights are more successful from the economic point of view.
What exactly does IP mean?
Intellectual property (IP) refers to intellectual creations, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols, names and images. It may be legally protected by patents, copyrights, designs and/or trademarks.
IP rights make it possible to secure intellectual property against imitation and, under certain circumstances, also to derive financial benefit from what has been invented or created - a key point for companies that want to survive in the market.
Why do we need a system of intellectual property protection?
Intellectual property rights aim to achieve a balance between the interests of inventors, creators, etc. on the one hand and the general public interest on the other. They enable an environment that should optimally promote creativity and innovation.
This is achieved, for example, by granting inventors temporary patent protection only if they present their invention to the public. In this way, patent applications can not only secure the manufacture and sale of one's own products but can also be a source of further improvements for the benefit of our society.
What makes up the work as a patent attorney?
We help companies with the application, registration and monitoring of their IP rights. We advise, for example, which IP right is suitable for which innovation. Inventions and innovations in technical and scientific fields are protected by patents and utility models. In the case of creative designs, on the other hand, trademark and design protection is used. Depending on the type of invention, different property rights are therefore suitable for effective protection against imitations.
We also offer patent portfolio management, monitoring competitors, technology searches, freedom to operate analyses, to name a few. For example, potential risks from competition protection rights must be identified and evaluated at an early stage during the development of new products.
Founding Day of WIPO
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) of the United Nations is calling for a worldwide celebration of the day. The occasion is WIPO's founding day on April 26, 1970.
The organization is committed to the development of a balanced and effective international IP system. Innovation and creativity create economic growth and jobs. In this respect, it quickly becomes clear why Intellectual Property plays a crucial role in progress.
Regarding Matthias Rößler:
Matthias Rößler, German and European Patent Attorney since 2003, studied mechanical engineering at the RWTH Aachen. He is co-founding partner of karo IP. A main focus of his practice is the management of large patent portfolios and the enforcement of bilateral litigation proceedings before patent offices and patent courts. His additional qualification as Master of Laws (LL.M.) qualifies him especially for multinational infringement matters in Europe.