Improved protection for intellectual property

Knowledge is valuable in innovative companies. However, it is still taking too long to transform new ideas and research results into successful products. Although German universities are successful in applying for a large number of patents (2007: 620 applications), these are often not pursued further. As a result, the proceeds from patent applications lag far behind their actual potential.

This is where the Federal Government becomes involved with its initiative "SIGNO - Protection of ideas for commercial use" (www.signo-deutschland.de). SIGNO helps universities, small and medium-sized enterprises, people intending to set up in business and inventors to secure and commercialize their innovative ideas. This stimulates the transfer of technology. SIGNO is continuing the Federal Government's successful patent exploitation campaign. It supports 24 patent and commercialization agencies located at institutions of higher education. 6,800 companies and people setting up in business have already received support under the SIGNO-SME patents campaign. 75% of the inventions have been patented. The firms concerned have created approximately 1,400 jobs.

The European Charter for the management of intellectual property from public research institutions is a further step towards improving the transfer of technology from science to industry. At Germany's initiative, the so-called IP Charter was agreed unanimously as a Council Resolution on 30 May 2008. This means that public research institutions and companies can now refer to a framework for dealing with intellectual property at European level.

The Sample Agreements for Research and Development Cooperation, which were published in September 2007, help with the drafting of joint projects involving companies and universities or research institutions. They contribute towards reducing the legal and administrative expense associated with cooperation projects.

The Law on the Improved Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights facilitates the battle against product piracy and strengthens intellectual property rights. The economic damage caused by counterfeit goods has reached alarming proportions. According to the OECD, economic losses worldwide amount to around 150 billion euros per year. The figure for Germany is estimated at 25 billion euros. Key features of the law, which came into effect on 1 September 2008, are a civil law right to information regarding third parties and measures to make it easier to secure evidence. Furthermore, claims for compensation cover damages as well as fictitious licensing fees. At the same time, the Federal Government is also taking action against product piracy with the help of its "Innovations against Product Piracy" initiative.