Publications, pitches, trade fairs, papers or repositories can affect novelty, priority and filing strategy.
German and European IP counsel
German and European IP counsel for technology matters.
We advise companies, founders, research organisations and foreign associates on patents, utility models, trade marks, designs, freedom-to-operate, employee inventions and IP-related contracts in Germany and Europe.
Patent and legal advicePatent attorneys and attorney-at-law
Technical focusSoftware, AI, electronics, chemistry, transfer
Structured first reviewBefore disclosure, filing or launch
Typical instructions patent filing, FTO review, German prosecution, research transfer, trade mark clearance or licensing matter.
Initial review
Key questions before disclosure, funding or market entry.
Freedom-to-operate reviews help assess risks from patents, trade marks and designs before market entry.
Patent, utility model, trade mark, design, trade secret or contractual protection may be relevant depending on the matter.
Founders, employers, universities, contractors and investors may all affect the chain of title.
Who we help
Support for German and European IP matters.
We act for technology clients and as local counsel for foreign associates where German or European IP rights, ownership, contracts or deadlines are involved.
01
International companies and SMEs
For market entry, product development, portfolio work or enforcement in Germany and Europe, we advise on patents, trade marks, designs, FTO and contracts.
02
Foreign associates and international counsel
We assist as German and European counsel for filings, prosecution, oppositions, ownership questions, deadlines, translations and coordinated IP strategies.
03
Founders, start-ups and spin-offs
Before funding, publication, licensing or launch, we clarify protectability, disclosure status, chain of title and the next appropriate IP step.
04
Research institutions and transfer teams
For research collaborations and university IP, we advise on confidentiality, publication strategy, chains of title, licensing and due diligence.
Services
German and European IP advice.
Linked to technology and transactions: we connect technical analysis, patent and trade mark proceedings, searches, freedom-to-operate reviews and contracts where technology is filed, licensed, financed or brought to market. Detailed services
CII
Software, AI and computer-implemented inventions
Patent strategy for algorithms, platforms, cloud architectures, data processing, cybersecurity, simulations, interfaces and technical workflows.
ET
Electronics and embedded systems
Protection strategies for sensors, controls, IoT, telecommunications, power electronics, device communication and software close to hardware.
FTO
Patents, utility models and freedom-to-operate
Searches, patentability review, claim drafting, GPTO/EPO prosecution, oppositions, nullity, launch-risk assessment and portfolio management.
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Ownership, licensing and development contracts
Employee inventions, founder IP, assignments, transfer, SaaS, licence, development and confidentiality agreements.
Team
Personal advice by patent attorneys and an attorney-at-law.
The firm combines technical training, patent prosecution experience and legal advice on contracts, ownership and exploitation.
Dr. Klaus Dieter Langfinger
Chemist · German Patent Attorney · European Patent and Trade Mark Attorney
Focus: IP strategy, chemistry/biotechnology, employee inventions, licensing and research transfer.
Dipl.-Wi.-Ing. Robert Kratz
German Patent Attorney · European Patent and Trade Mark Attorney
Graduate in Business Administration and Electrical Engineering. Focus: electrical engineering, IT, computer-implemented inventions, digital portfolio management and international procedures.
Barbara Michaelis
Attorney-at-law · Certified translator
Focus: IP law, trade marks, copyright, unfair competition, IT/TK contracts, compliance, data protection and corporate law.
Dr. Bernd Pfaffinger
Patent Attorney · Chemistry / technical IP rights
Focus: patent drafting, opposition proceedings, chemistry, technology projects and transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions at the beginning of a matter.
The following answers do not replace advice on the individual case, but show which issues are often addressed at the start.
Yes. We support international companies, in-house teams and foreign associates on German and European patent matters, often in English and in coordination with global IP strategies.
Computer programs “as such” are excluded. Opportunities arise where a computer-implemented invention provides a technical contribution or further technical effect, for example in control, data processing, interfaces, security, simulation or system performance.
As early as possible: before pitch presentations, demos, trade fairs, papers, GitHub releases, customer pilots or collaboration talks. A short pre-check can protect novelty, ownership and filing strategy.
They can affect ownership, reporting, claiming and compensation for inventions made by employees in Germany. Clear processes help prevent disputes and secure exploitation by the company or research institution.
Contact
Contact us regarding your German or European IP matter.
A concise technical outline, disclosure status, contributors, relevant countries and the question to be addressed are useful for first contact. Please do not send time-critical or highly confidential material before mandate acceptance.
Head office Edenkoben
In der Halde 24
67480 Edenkoben
Germany
Frankfurt office
Grüneburgweg 119
D-60323 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Phone / fax
Tel. +49 69 75 66 17 0
Fax +49 69 756617 99
office@langfinger-ip.de
Confidentiality note
Please do not send time-critical or highly confidential documents before mandate acceptance. An attorney-client relationship is established only after express confirmation.