Countries IP system

German Patent and Trademark System

Invention patent

  • Patent term:
    20 years starting from filing date
  • Document required:
    Specification, drawings, power of attorney and affidavit
  • Patent prosecution:
    Investigation Examination procedure Patent publication will take place 18 months after the filing date (priority date)
  • Maintenance fee:
    First 3 years payment on the filing date, thereafter will be annual payment

Utility model patent

  • Patent term:
    10 years starting from filing date
  • Document required:
    Specification, drawings and power of attorney
  • Patent prosecution:
    Register procedure (Novelty investigation is applicable)

Design patent

  • Patent term:
    20 years starting from filing date
  • Document required:
    Specification and drawings and power of attorney (Document can be provide after application)
  • Patent prosecution:
    Register procedure
  • Maintenance fee:
    payment to be made before the 6 year, 11 year and 16 year from filling date

Trademark

  • Trademark term:
    10 years from register date, renewal for every 10 years term
  • Trademark type:
    Trademarks, unite marks and service marks
  • Trademark format:
    Traditional (words, logos)
  • Document required:
    Words/logo, merchandise detail and power of attorney
  • Renewal term:
    Renewal before expires date.