... serve for the protection of technical inventions in the most varied specialist fields, from architecture, through construction, biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, textile production, etc. to dental technology.

The patent is an officially checked protective right for a limited period for devices and processes, securing the holder a right of monopoly for the theory disclosed in the patent specification.

All major industrial countries today have patent protection. Through various international patent co-operation agreements, it is possible to obtain patent protection in most of these countries on the basis of a national, European or international patent application.

is the permitting or granting of a defined, specific right of use of the intellectual property of another. The agreement to the granting of rights of use can take place in a separate licence agreement or also within the framework of contracts of sales, for services or otherwise. The basis for the granting of a right of use is regularly the existence of an existing right of protection.

When formulating a licence, its contents should be thoroughly clarified. Apart from determining the scope of the existing right of a holder of a right of use, and his power of disposition, the type, scope and duration of use, as well as the licence rate and its basis are to be specified exactly. Through the careful drafting of a licence agreement, later dissension can be avoided.