HORAK. ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW · PATENT ATTORNEYS
Intellectual property in Germany and Europe
Advice for businesses on protecting, defending and commercialising inventions, brands, designs and know-how.
Patents and utility models
We assist with patent filing, prosecution and technical protection strategies. German, European and PCT routes serve different purposes; a PCT application does not itself create a worldwide patent. German utility models are registered without substantive examination of novelty and inventive step. A separate validity assessment is essential before enforcement.
Trade marks and designs
We advise on clearance, filing, opposition, invalidity and infringement. Trade mark specifications should reflect the actual business and intended markets. Design representations define the subject matter of protection. Registration alone is not a guarantee of validity. International registrations require a deliberate selection of territories.
Litigation and urgent matters
We assess infringement, validity, evidence and procedural options together. In patent disputes, national courts and the Unified Patent Court require a case-specific jurisdictional analysis. If you have received a warning letter or court document, please provide every page and identify the applicable deadline. An enquiry alone does not mean we have accepted responsibility for that deadline.
Software, copyright and trade secrets
We review rights in software, content and commissioned work, including open-source obligations and AI-related use cases. Trade secret protection requires appropriate confidentiality measures. NDAs, access controls and documented handovers should work together.
Licensing and transactions
Our work covers licensing, research and development agreements, technology transfer and IP due diligence. We examine ownership, contractual restrictions and commercial use, including employee inventions and rights supplied by external developers.
Portfolio management and international coordination
We help structure portfolios, monitor relevant rights and assess renewal decisions. Cross-border projects require attention to territorial scope, local procedure and enforceability. Where needed, we coordinate with qualified counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.
Working with us
Our head office is in Hanover, Germany. We first clarify your objective, the documents available and any urgent deadlines. Scope and fees are agreed before substantive work begins. Please send a concise description of the matter and identify the parties so that conflicts can be checked.
Contact
Georgstraße 48, 30159 Hannover, Germany
Phone: +49 511 357356-0
info@attorney-patent.de
Earlier English publications
Our archive contains earlier English articles with their original publication dates. Historical articles should be read in the context of the law and practice at that time.