Technical Fields
Mechanical Engineering
The development of applications in the field of mechanical engineering requires the precise wording of the respective technical conditions and therefore special linguistic skills.
Here, it should be taken into account that generally known terms could unnecessarily limit the later scope of protection with respect to patent law,. These terms do not imply the necessary additional features.
If generally known terms are missing, the requirements regarding a technically precise description of the invention increase.
It is our job to find the best possible wording which firstly does not unnecessarily restrict the later scope of protection and, secondly, defines the invention with respect to the previously known prior art.
Additionally, some interpretations of wordings change, owing to continuously evolving case-law, which should also be taken into account when the application is drafted. Therefore, we do not only have European and German jurisdiction in mind, but also know the possible legal interpretation in other countries, as for example the United States and China.
Automotive and Drive Technology
Automotive technology concentrates on the consideration of the conception, construction, simulation and operation of the vehicle as a whole, as well as its individual components.
Drive technology concentrates on technical systems for generating motion by power transmission.
With regard to patent protection, both the precise wording of the subject matter of the invention as well as the ensuring of a sufficient scope of protection present a challenge for the patent attorney in these two areas, too.
Plastics Technology and Processing
Plastics technology concentrates on the application of the physical, chemical, biological and physiological properties of plastic materials. It has emerged from process engineering as an independent branch.
Plastics processing includes the production of molded parts, semi-finished products, fibres, or plastic films supplied by chemical industry.
In the plastics processing, shaping methods, such as injection molding or extrusion, etc., forming methods, for example of thermoplastics, and joining methods, such as welding and gluing, are therefore particularly important.
As plastics are increasingly used in more areas, claims are to be adapted to the variable application possibilities. In this context, we rely on our experience with clients from the field of plastic processing and plastic technology.
Medical Engineering
The field of medical engineering is one of the largest and fastest growing technical fields for new patent applications.
In this area, we already have long-term experience with inventions from the widest variety of fields of medical engineering.
Especially when drafting new applications, detailed knowledge of the relevant jurisprudence for therapeutic, diagnostic and surgical procedures, which we are well acquainted with, is required.
Materials Engineering
Materials engineering deals with the material development related to engineering, as well as the corresponding processing methods and the operating behaviour of components in use.
In this connection, the consideration of the structural composition of the materials and their mechanical, physical and chemical characteristics, depending on this design, play an important role. This includes the characterization, development, production and processing of constructional and functional materials, such as functional and structural ceramics.
Successful patents in this field require special attention in drafting, because the field of materials engineering unfolds a strong leverage when it comes to the implementation of research results into innovations relevant on the market.
At the same time, materials engineering as an interdisciplinary science has a far-reaching effect on technical integration, as it takes results from neighbouring subject areas and is interrelated with them.
Therefore, knowledge of mechanics, construction, production technology, and process engineering is required specifically for drafting a patent application in the field of materials engineering.
Food Technology
Inventions in the field of food technology present particular challenges to the skills of the patent attorney developing a respective patent application.
Often, a detailed knowledge of several independent technical fields such as thermodynamics, process engineering and/or mechanical engineering is required to understand and grasp the invention sufficiently.
Through our many years of experience, we can assist you by elaborating an appropriate patent application in this highly complex technical field, too.
Process Engineering
Process engineering deals with the technical and economic implementation of all processes during which materials are changed in terms of their type, properties and composition.
A particular challenge with regard to patent law is the precise wording of the steps which are necessary for the implementation of a new invention.
Here, we also pay attention to the protection of individual components in a system necessary for the implementation of processes, as an exclusive protection of the whole system may cause problems. For example, in case of a protection of the whole system, only, it might be difficult to proceed against a competitor who distributes individual components but not the whole system.
Optics
The field of optics has undergone a certain change throughout the years and, in the meantime, has also found its way into the field of data transmission. An interconnection with neighbouring technical fields, such as telecommunications, therefore plays a role in this technical field, too.
Thus, attention must be paid to the independent protection of all individual elements of the invention. In this regard, we are happy to assist you with our long-term experience in the field of optics.
Manufacturing Technology
Manufacturing technology refers to the commercial production of work-pieces from given raw materials according to predefined geometric determinants (by complying with certain tolerances) and their assembly as functioning products.
Therefore, manufacturing technology mainly concentrates on manufacturing methods and the respective machine tools as well as the corresponding production measurement technology.
In addition to the tools required for production, patents from this field should therefore also cover the respective manufacturing methods. In this way, a comprehensive protection for our clients is achieved.
Electrical Engineering
Originally, electrical engineering was split into heavy current engineering and low current engineering.
Nowadays, heavy current engineering is part of energy technology and drive engineering, whereas low current engineering is now part of communications engineering. Other subareas include electrical measurement and automation technology as well as electronics.
The boundaries between the different areas are fluid, and almost all of today’s processes and installations are either operated electrically, or run under significant involvement of electric devices and control systems.
The independent protection of all individual elements of the invention is highly important, especially in the field of electrical engineering. Independent patent claims directed towards an overall system alone may cause problems if rights against a competitor who manufactures or sells individual components of the overall system alone are to be enforced. We support you in this connection with our vast experience.
Telecommunication
Telecommunication comprises the exchange of data by using for example electrical engineering, electronics and wireless technology.
Since in an increasingly networked world, data exchange is becoming more and more important, telecommunication facilities form an elementary part of today’s infrastructure.
Therefore, the particular key feature when drafting patents in this field is both to adapt the patent strategy of a company to the marketing strategy of its competitors, as well as to align the patents to current and future technical standards.
