Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the economy in both Germany and Japan. Their creativity leads to inventions and innovation, from which companies of all sizes benefit. However, smaller companies often find it difficult to protect their intellectual property. While large corporations hire in-house patent attorneys and are able to file large numbers of patents, SMEs are often not familiar with the administrative processes and hesitate to hire external advisors. In consequence, they can suffer large competitive disadvantages leading to significant financial weakness and losses – something that would be avoidable if the intellectual property had been protected properly beforehand.
In this “Asa no Kai”, Wolfgang Strobel, partner at DJW member company Kroher Strobel Rechts- und Patentanwälte PartmbH, will show that applying for trademarks, patents or utility models and designs is not as big a hurdle for SMEs as it may appear, and can actually be a source of revenue rather than just a cost factor.
Mr. Strobel will introduce cases of companies that had not protected their intellectual property, and success stories of companies that did. He will offer guidelines particularly for SMEs as to what steps they can take to protect their innovative technologies, designs and trademarks, and how to work with the IP administration authorities in Germany and the European Patent Office.
Interested participants with specific questions are invited to send their questions beforehand.
