What does a German patent application at the DPMA cost – and which official patent fees accrue over the maximum term of 20 years from the filing date? This article explains the official DPMA fees (excluding attorney fees), including annual renewal fees from the 3rd to the 20th year of protection.
Costs of a German Patent Application – Official Fees Over the Full 20-Year Term read more
Training position starting 01 August 2026: We are looking for a Trainee IP Paralegal (m/f/d) for our Velbert office.
Training Position from 01 August 2026: Trainee IP Paralegal (m/f/d) – Velbert Office read more
Since 2012, the trademark offices of the EU Member States and the EUIPO have been working in convergence projects to achieve the most consistent decision-making practice possible. Convergence Project 17 (KP17/CP17) addresses the question of when slogans are distinctive enough to be registered as trademarks and which factors typically play a role.
Distinctiveness of Slogans – DPMA Implements Common Practice as of 16 February 2026 read more
Anyone who has ever recruited as a smaller patent law firm knows the dilemma:
Good candidates are scarce — and when suitable profiles are open to change or graduates are looking to enter the IP field, large firms or industry/in-house positions often win out.
That is exactly why we have observed the market over a longer period of time — almost three years. Not out of curiosity, but to answer a very practical question:
IP Recruiting 2026: Fewer Job Ads – An Opportunity for Smaller Law Firms? read more
On the initiative of the European Commission, the SME Fund “Ideas Powered for Business” was established. The SME Fund provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in the European Union (EU) with financial support to protect their intellectual property rights.
EU FUNDING FOR THE APPLICATION OF PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND DESIGNS read more
In 2025, companies and individuals based in Velbert once again filed a significant number of trademarks at both national and European level. A total of 64 trademark applications were submitted. Compared to the previous year 2024 (57), this represents an increase of 7 applications, marking the highest figure within the observed period.
Trademark Applications from Velbert: Top Applicants 2025 and Development Over Time read more
On 11 December 2025, the Administrative Council decided to adjust the fees payable to the European Patent Office (EPO) with effect from 1 April 2026. The changes mainly affect key fees in the examination and grant procedure as well as the renewal fees for pending European patent applications.
EPO fees increase from 1 April 2026 read more
As of 1 January 2026, the 13th edition of the Nice Classification applies. In addition to numerous new and revised terms, this update also includes genuine class reassignments—with immediate practical relevance for drafting the goods and services specification.
Nice Classification 2026: What trademark applicants need to know as of 1 January 2026 read more
In 2024, companies and private individuals from Velbert filed numerous trademarks at both the national and European levels. In total, 57 trademarks were filed by 46 different applicants. The following overview shows the ten most active applicants from the city.
Trademark Filings from Velbert: Top Applicants 2024 and Development over the Last 10 Years read more
How have patent and utility model applications in Berlin developed over the past ten years? Our analysis of DPMA data shows that, after a very high level in the mid-2010s, the number of applications has declined significantly – although a slight recovery can be seen again in 2023.
Patent and Utility Model Applications in Berlin 2014–2023: Overview of the Trend read more
