Services

Be it the patented new development, the company name protected as a trademark, or the aesthetically pleasing product design registered as a design. Intellectual property is often an asset of considerable value for companies. Aware of this responsibility, SEYFRIED IP develops customised IP solutions and holistic protection strategies based on the client's needs.

SEYFRIED IP's range of advisory services and activities includes the acquisition, maintenance and defence of intellectual property rights as well as the cancellation of third party intellectual property rights. Other frequent areas of advice include licensing and contract law, freedom-to-operate (FTO) and employee invention law.

Patents

Patents can be used to protect technical ideas. For example, in relation to the parts of a machine, or the steps in a process. Software can also be patented. This is particularly important for protecting applications in the fields of cloud computing, machine learning and "Industry 4.0".

SEYFRIED IP provides comprehensive advice on the possibilities of obtaining patent protection for your new development in Germany and abroad. If a computer-implemented invention is to be protected, SEYFRIED IP advises you in particular on the special requirements that apply to "software patents". And how these can be taken into account for your invention.

SEYFRIED IP prepares the necessary documents for the patent application as well as for the subsequent filing and granting procedure before the patent authorities in close cooperation with you and with the aim of achieving the best possible protection for you and your company.

In post-grant proceedings, SEYFRIED IP supports you in opposition, cancellation and nullity proceedings both in defending your own intellectual property rights and in eliminating interfering intellectual property rights of third parties.

Patents

Also relevant:

Employee invention law

Licences/Contracts

Searches

Litigation

Trademarks

Trademarks are an important instrument for protecting a company's brand names. In addition to words and images, the three-dimensional design of a product and its packaging, for example, can also be protected as a trademark, as can animations, sound logos or even holograms.

SEYFRIED IP advises you on the choice of the appropriate type of trademark for your signs and on the right strategy for extending your trademark protection internationally. For example, by means of an EU trademark, an international registration, or a combination of both.

In addition to preparing all the necessary documents, SEYFRIED IP also handles the examination and registration process with the local authorities on your behalf.

Furthermore, SEYFRIED IP supports you in opposition and cancellation proceedings, both in defending your own trademark rights and in eliminating interfering trademark rights of third parties.

Trademarks

Also relevant:

Licences/Contracts

Searches

Litigation

Designs

A registered design can be used to protect the aesthetic appearance of a product. Design protection is not limited to "analog" objects or product packaging. It can also be used to protect a company's logo and the appearance of digital services, such as an app or a website.

SEYFRIED IP provides comprehensive advice on the requirements for design protection as well as on possible application strategies in Germany and abroad and accompanies the filing and registration process before the offices.

In addition, SEYFRIED IP also supports you in cancellation and nullity proceedings, both in defending your own design rights and in eliminating interfering design rights of third parties.

Also relevant:

Licences/Contracts

Searches

Litigation

Employee invention law

When employees make patentable inventions, obligations arise for both the employee and the employer. For example, deadlines must be met and, for inventions that are claimed, the employer must apply for a patent and pay for it. Further particularities may arise for work results that are created during a cooperation with third parties.

SEYFRIED IP supports you in setting up an in-house reporting system and in implementing suitable structures to ensure that the legally defined procedures for employee inventions are both legally compliant and economical. SEYFRIED IP also handles the determination and monitoring of compensation payments for you and assists in the defence against unjustified claims.

In the case of cooperations in the field of research and development (R&D) with other companies as well as with universities, SEYFRIED IP reviews your contracts and, if necessary, proposes adjustments to ensure that the work results are legally usable in your interest.

Employee invention law

Also relevant:

Patents

Licences/Contracts

Licences and Contracts

Intellectual property rights are often a central element to business relationships. Be it a cooperation with external partners in the field of research and development (R&D). The licensing of intellectual property rights. Or the resolution of disputes. In each case, the own interests must be preserved. This requires a solid legal basis.

SEYFRIED IP advises you on contracts in which intellectual property rights are relevant or could become relevant and drafts individual and occasion-related agreements for you to safeguard your present and future interests.

This also includes cases where you need to share confidential documents and know-how with your (potential) cooperation and business partners. It also includes cases involving the out-licensing of your own intellectual property rights or the licensing of third-party intellectual property rights.

Also relevant:

Patents

Trademarks

Designs

Searches and FTO

Both in the run-up to and in the aftermath of product developments, it is particularly important to keep an eye on third-party intellectual property rights and publications. Searches carried out for this purpose provide a reliable basis for making far-reaching decisions and, if necessary, adapting ongoing processes.

For example, SEYFRIED IP conducts state-of-the-art searches on your new technical developments. Based on the results, the chances of success of planned patent applications can be better assessed. For planned trademark and design applications, SEYFRIED IP offers similarity searches.

With Freedom-To-Operate (FTO) searches, SEYFRIED IP can in turn help you to gain knowledge of third party intellectual property rights that are in force. This enables you to adapt your technical developments, name inventions or aesthetic designs of products in line with the current property right landscape. Or, if necessary, take action against interfering intellectual property rights and thereby secure your freedom of action.

SEYFRIED IP also offers the continuous monitoring of third party intellectual property right filings. This allows you to keep an eye on your competitors' new technological developments. But you can also identify trademarks and designs that are identical or similar to your own intellectual property rights and take action to prevent them in good time.

Searches and FTO

Also relevant:

Patents

Trademarks

Designs

Litigation

As the owner of an intellectual property right, you do not have to accept that and if third parties infringe it. On the other hand, you may find yourself in situations where you are alleged to have infringed another intellectual property right.

SEYFRIED IP advises you both on enforcing your own rights and on ways of defending yourself against claims made against you by third parties. This includes preventive legal protection as well as provisional legal protection by means of preliminary injunctions.

The review and assessment of the specific or alleged actions in the light of the relevant intellectual property rights are a particular focus of SEYFRIED IP's activities. In addition, SEYFRIED IP supports you in locating patent-infringing products of competitors at trade fairs and having them removed at an early stage.

Also relevant:

Patents

Trademarks

Designs