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Intellectual Property

On principle, you should ask your host or employer about the handling of intellectual property, patents, and inventions at an early stage. When doing so, you should bear in mind that since 2002, the law on employees’ inventions (“Arbeitnehmererfindungsgesetz”) has changed significantly: all inventions by members of institutions of higher education have to be reported to the employer.

At universities and research institutes there is nearly always an office responsible for the transfer of research and technology. This should be the first place you go to get advice on handling intellectual property and to register patents and licences. Here you will be able to get information on the necessary procedures and regulations at the respective institution and also get support in carrying out the steps required to complete
registration.

Where a patent is registered depends on the type of protection desired. If the German market suffices, you can approach the German Patent andTrade Mark Office. Protection at European level can be sought at the European Patent Offi ce while the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) offers international protection of patents.

In Marburg: Research and Transfer Section
For all issues relating to intellectual property rights, patents and inventions you should turn to the “Referat für Forschung und Transfer” (Research and Transfer Section):

Philipps-Universität Marburg Referat für Forschung und Transfer
Biegenstraße 10, 35037 Marburg

Intellectual property rights

German Patent and Trade-Mark Office: www.dpma.de/english

European Patent Office: www.epo.org

World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO): www.wipo.int

German Research Foundation: www.dfg.de/en

IP rights in EU projects: www.iprhelpdesk.org

Recommendations of the German Research Foundation on Professional Self Regulation in Science: At institutions of higher education and research institutes in Germany it is usual to comply with the German Research Foundation’s (DFG) “Recommendations on Professional Self-Regulation in Science”, which seek to safeguard good scientific practice.
www.dfg.de/en

Insider Infos: In Germany most university teachers and other personnel have office hours during which they are available for consultation (for students, for example). These hours are usually posted on the website and hung up on their office doors. “N.V.” (nach Vereinbarung) means that you have to make an individual appointment.

These office hours are dedicated to consultancy. If you are unable to keep the official office hours, you should ask for an appointment at another time.

If an office door is left open that this often indicates that you are welcome to enter outside office hours even if you don’t have an appointment.