Patents, Trademarks, Designs – What are the differences?

Patents protect technical inventions which are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible of industrial application.

Patents / Utility Models – What are the differences?

The utility model is a technical property right related to the patent. A utility model protects inventions against imitation with the exception of procedures (§ 1 GebrMG). The maximum term is 10 years, which is shorter than for a patent.