Blog - Patents, Trademarks & Designs
EU Design Reform 2026: Changes to Design Protection
Philipp Henrichs - 16. June 2026
In July 2024, we reported on the reform of EU design law that had been adopted at that time. The second phase of the reform will take effect on July 1, 2026. This will bring the key changes under the reformed European design law into force. The reform significantly modernizes design protection. Of particular importance are the extension of protection to digital designs and animations, new options for presenting a design, changes regarding multiple applications, and new regulations for 3D printing, replacement parts, and fees.
Trademark monitoring as a strategic tool for trademark protection
Heinrich G. Pannen - 12. February 2026
Heinrich Pannen, attorney-at-law, explains the importance of professional trademark monitoring and why active trademark protection is essential for companies.
The new EU design law
Philipp Henrichs - 24. July 2024
In addition to strengthening design protection in the EU, the aim of the reform of EU design law is to simplify the processes for applying for and registering designs and to extend the definition of a product to include digital products and technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and 3D printing.
Trademark application at the GPTO
Justus Kreuels - 1. July 2024
A registered trademark secures the owner the exclusive right to use the trademark in connection with the goods or services offered. Among other things, this can protect against imitations by competitors. Trademark protection arises through the entry of a registered trademark in the register of the German Patent and Trademark Office.
Trademark search before applying for a trademark
Justus Kreuels - 1. July 2024
A trademark search can ensure that the desired trademark (logo, slogan, word, etc.) is sufficiently different from existing trademarks. You can search databases online for this purpose. For more extensive searches, it is advisable to hire a lawyer.
Trademark protection in China
Justus Kreuels - 1. July 2024
Whoever registers a trademark in China first is granted the right to use the trademark, regardless of whether it is a globally known trademark.
Application for an European Trademark (EUTM)
Justus Kreuels - 1. July 2024
The proprietor of a European Trademark has a uniform trademark registration that is valid in all member states of the European Union. The EU trademark system is administered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The monitoring of registered trademarks
Justus Kreuels - 1. July 2024
Trademark owners should regularly check new trademark registrations with the trademark register, not least to proactively avoid trademark infringements.
Design protection: European design vs. US design patent
Justus Kreuels - 14. June 2024
The protection of the external shape and design of a product is an important issue for companies, not least due to the large number of product imitations worldwide. About the similarities and differences in the registration of designs in Europe (Community & Industrial Design) and in the USA (Design Patent).
International design protection: The Hague Agreement
Justus Kreuels - 12. July 2021
The international Hague Agreement offers the possibility of registering a design in several countries beyond the EU with one central application by means of a standardised procedure. The term of protection of an international design (as with a German or European design) is initially 5 years and can be extended several times. We have summarised what it is all about.
Proof of use of a registered trademark
Justus Kreuels - 21. December 2020
Proving use of a trademark is an elaborate subject area that trademark owners should keep in mind. It is important to collect evidence year after year that shows the trademark and proves sales. The availability of such documentation is often critical to a potential trademark dispute. We have summarized the most important facts.
Trademarks: The protection of web domains
Justus Kreuels - 20. July 2020
Is it possible to protect a web domain as a trademark? Yes, in principle a domain can be registered as a trademark. The decisive factor is whether the domain name has distinctive character. Registered trademark rights also play an important role.
Registered Designs - FAQ
Justus Kreuels - 3. April 2018
Registered Designs are a very effective kind of Intellectual Property. This article gives a short overview on legal requirments of design protection with a focus on protection requirements and procedural aspects.