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
To strengthen our team at our Velbert office, we are looking as soon as possible for a Patent Paralegal / Patent Attorney’s Assistant (m/f/d) preferably full-time, part-time by arrangement.
We also have a presence in Berlin and therefore took a closer look at the new patent and utility model applications filed in Berlin for the year 2023. Both companies and private individuals were considered in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of Berlin’s innovation activity.
Patent and Utility Model Applications in Berlin in 2023 read more
Following the strong response to our recent article on the 2023 filing figures, we would now like to take a look at the long-term development of intellectual property activity in Velbert. How has Velbert’s filing activity evolved over the past decade?
Patents and Utility Models Over Time – Velbert Remains Above Average read more
The EU funding program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to support intellectual property rights (you can find more information here) was in particularly high demand. The funds available for it were therefore quickly exhausted.
However, funds are now once again available for the application of intellectual property rights (patents, designs, and trademarks), as not all approved grants were actually used.
Our tip: Submit your application as early as possible, as the funds tend to run out quickly – last time, they were exhausted within just a few days.
As a law firm specializing in intellectual property rights, we have been supporting companies affected by product and trademark piracy for decades. Counterfeits and imitations are no longer a marginal issue – they cause billions in losses every year, weaken innovation, and, in the worst cases, can even endanger consumers.
A patent gives inventors the opportunity to protect their ideas legally and to make use of them commercially. But how does a European patent application actually work? At first glance, the process may seem complex – our overview will help to shed some light.
The Path to a European Patent – Step by Step read more
