PATENT SOFTWARE
Securing innovations before others copy them.
Software protection is crucial for the long-term success of your company. Whether it is a pure software solution, integrated software in physical products or software in the IT environment – unprotected innovations are extremely vulnerable. Software can often be copied with minimal effort, putting your Intellectual Property at risk and weakening your market position.
Don’t just focus on protecting your hardware: If the core of your innovation lies in the Software, you are wasting valuable protection potential if you neglect patent protection. Without a patent, you have hardly any enforceable legal means to stop imitators – your unique functions could be used by the competition tomorrow.
Advantages
Securing Competitive Advantages
Protect innovation
Legal security
Consolidating company value
What we can do for you
Patent protection for Software requires a special combination of technical understanding, legal precision and strategic thinking. Whether it’s classic software products, AI systems, embedded software in devices or digital platforms – we develop protection strategies that are precisely tailored to your product, your industry and your business model.
Software patents for pure and hybrid solutions
Whether your innovation is purely software-based or part of a physical product, protecting your Software is crucial to securing your Competitive Advantages. We support you in comprehensively patenting both classic software solutions and hybrid products in which software plays a central role. Our team develops customized Patent Applications that cover both the technical aspects of Software as well as its integration into devices, machines or other physical systems.
Our Services:
- Patent research and analysis of protectability: Identification of existing patents and evaluation of the patentability of your software ideas - whether stand-alone software or integrated into a physical product.
- Freedom to Operate (FTO): Checking whether your Software is free from infringements of existing IP Rights in order to minimize legal risks.
- Preparation of Patent Applications: Development of precise applications covering both Software-specific and hardware elements.
- Support during the Examination Proceedings: Support during the entire examination process, from the Application to the granting of the Patents.
- Oppositions and defense: Strategic advice and representation in oppositions against granted Patents as well as in the defense of your own rights.
- Strategic consulting for hybrid solutions: Development of customized protection strategies for Software that is integrated into physical products such as machines or devices.
- Drafting, revision, negotiation of software contracts (GTCs, development contracts, License Agreements, outsourcing, software maintenance, Service Level Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, SaaS, IaaS, Cloud, Open Source, etc.).
Software patents in the IT environment
In the IT sector, software solutions are often at the heart of technological innovations. From complex data processing applications to system solutions, protecting your IT software is essential to secure your market position. We offer comprehensive support in patenting software used in IT systems, networks or digital platforms. Our focus is on protecting your technological innovations in a targeted manner and creating long-term Competitive Advantages for you.
Our Services:
- Patent analysis for IT software: We examine the patentability of your software solutions and identify possible IP Rights.
- Preparation of Patent Applications: We draft precise Applications that cover the specific aspects of your IT Software.
- Technological assessments: We analyze the technological innovations and their relevance for patentability.
- Support during the Examination Proceedings: We support you throughout the entire examination process until your Patents are granted.
- Oppositions and legal defense: We advise you on oppositions against Patents and support you in the defense of your own Patents.
- Strategic planning: We develop protection strategies to secure your software solutions in the IT environment and safeguard your Competitive Advantages.
- Drafting, revision, negotiation of software contracts (GTCs, development contracts, License Agreements, outsourcing, software maintenance, Service Level Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, SaaS, IaaS, Cloud, Open Source, etc.).
5 steps to a software patent
1.
Protect idea
Tell us about your innovative software solution – we will analyze whether it is patentable and conduct a thorough patent search to ensure that your software innovation is new and does not infringe any existing rights (freedom to operate).
2.
Develop strategy
Together we develop a customized protection strategy that optimally protects your invention.
3.
Create Application
If patent protection is part of the protection strategy, we will draft a precise and convincing Patent Application to protect your software idea.
4.
Filing & Examination
We file your Patent Application and guide you through the examination process at the Patent Office.
5.
Secure protection
With the granted patent, you have the rights to your Software firmly in your hands – and we will continue to support you in defending it.
Software patents in the IT environment
Your outsourced patent department - flexible, scalable, integrated.
A permanent in-house IP team is often too broad or too narrow – but rarely precise. Our external IP management works differently: you have access to the expertise you need at any given time – be it strategic consulting, operational support or technical depth in a specific specialist area. Without overhead, without frictional losses – but with the certainty that
➝ Strategic and operational IP management
From invention evaluation to portfolio alignment - technically sound and practical.
➝ Modular support as required
Consulting, Project Manager or Interim Role - selectively or as a permanent solution.
➝ Coordination with R&D, Legal and Firms
Seamless integration into existing structures and efficient process control.
➝ FTO analyses, monitoring and AI-supported research
Technologically up-to-date tools for well-founded decisions and risk hedging.
What is patentable in the field of Software?
Patenting Software requires it to be a technical solution – but the definition of “technical” is often complex. The path to patent protection depends heavily on whether the technical nature of the Software can be convincingly demonstrated.
In many cases, the technical nature is not immediately obvious, which makes the expertise of an experienced Patent Attorney essential. With sound specialist knowledge and a creative approach, even sophisticated software solutions can be protected.
Hardware control
Software that controls specific hardware is usually patentable. This includes, for example, programs that control machines, sensors, actuators or special computer architectures.
Examples:
- Software for controlling industrial robots
- Programs for monitoring sensors in IoT devices
Data processing
Software that processes sensory data can also be protected. This applies in particular to programs that record, analyze and process measurement data, image data or sound data.
Examples:
- Image processing software for facial recognition
- Software for analyzing environmental data such as temperature and humidity
- Software for processing image data, e.g. in medical diagnostics or security applications
User Interfaces
Interactive user interfaces that facilitate the operation of technical devices are also a common area for Patents. These Interfaces improve the interaction between man and machine.
Examples:
- Touchscreen interfaces for medical devices
- User interfaces for machine control systems
Cryptography and network security
Software for secure communication and encryption of data can be protected, as can technologies that ensure secure messaging and data storage in networks.
Examples:
- Encryption algorithms for online banking
- Software for securing data transmissions in wireless networks
Efficient Resource Management
Software that is used to efficiently manage computer resources such as processor performance or memory space can also be patented. This applies to programs that optimize the operation of computers or networks.
Examples:
- Software for load balancing in data centers
- Programs for memory optimization in mobile devices
Request advice on Software patenting
Take advantage of our expertise for your Software patenting. Let us discuss your needs together and determine the best strategies.
Our technical areas of expertise
Technical complexity is not an obstacle for us, but part of everyday life. Our team combines legal know-how with a sound technical background from a wide range of specialist disciplines. This enables us not only to protect your inventions legally, but also to penetrate their content and argue them convincingly – vis-à-vis patent offices, courts and business partners.
Our approach is interdisciplinary, solution-oriented and close to technological practice. We not only keep an eye on Protectability, but also on usability, scalability and strategic fit – both nationally and internationally.
Industry and Technology
- Mechanical and Plant Engineering
- Automotive
- Construction
- Electrical Engineering
- Process Engineering
- Technical Physics
- Materials Science
Health and Life Sciences
- Medical Technology and Medical Devices
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry (Pharmaceutical Chemistry)
Consumer Goods and Luxury
- Luxury Brands
- Consumer Goods
- Cosmetics
Media, Entertainment and Public Sector
- Media & Entertainment
- Public Sector
IT and Artificial Intelligence
- IT and AI
- Enterprise Software and Database Technology
Our Team
Professional competence and international experience characterize our Team, which consists of experts from various fields.
