IP-Service for Inventors

UniBw M is committed to the efficient transfer of research-based inventions and innovations into economy and society. To make this happen, our Intellectual Property Service advises and supports all members of UniBw M regarding the registration of inventions and their commercial exploitation, e.g. the founding of a new business based on the invention.

If you intend to apply for an industrial property right, the IP Service offers support in the evaluation of the invention with regard to patentability, in the preparation of the invention notification and, if possible, in the filing of the invention for a patent by UniBw M.

Please contact Kerstin Fricke (Tel.: 089-6004-4509) for further information.

What is a patent?

The patent is a temporary and geographically limited monopoly. Patents are granted for inventions in all fields of technology, provided they are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible of industrial application.

  • Novelty: The invention must not have become public before the filing date (e.g. oral presentation, publication). So think carefully about what you want to publish and when! A patent application in Germany takes about 1 to 1.5 years.
  • Inventive activity: The invention must not be obvious to experts in the light of the current state of the art.
  • Industrial applicability: The invention must be usable in the industrial field.

What are the benefits of patenting for inventors?

  • Exclusivity right: The above standards state that only the patentee is entitled to use (or to block) the patented invention now or at a later date.
  • Possibility of cross-licensing: This is an agreement between two parties (usually companies) granting each other permission to use patents of the other party.
  • Increase of company value: In the case of the establishment of a start-up company, patents are an essential asset in the sale of the company, some of them can also be capitalised in the balance sheet, and patents can also be used for financing.
  • Advertising effect: Patents have a positive effect on the image of the company.