Securing a patent requires more than just a clever idea – it demands compelling arguments.
Finding and presenting these arguments is one of the key tasks of a patent attorney. The IMPRS-APS students recently gained valuable insights into this world of patent law, as they visited one of the largest IP law firms in Europe, Grünecker, together with doctoral candidates from the IMPRS-QST and the IMPRS on Astrophysics. A highlight of the visit was the presence of our former colleague Christian Hackenberger, a patent attorney at Grünecker, who was happy to share his expertise with the students, alongside three of his colleagues.
During the visit, the researchers were introduced to the company and the topic of intellectual property, including an insight into the European patent application process. They also got to see an actual example of a patent and its most important aspects. In addition to learning about the patent process, our students gained a deeper understanding of the job of a patent professional – from an overview of the activities to the qualifications and necessary skills such as an interest in technology, affinity to legal questions and a fast understanding of new and complex matters.
The visit also provided a valuable opportunity for the doctoral candidates to exchange with the Grünecker employees during an informal coffee break and a Q&A session at the end. The four patent attorneys were happy to answer the various questions of the researchers, covering topics from the basics of patent law to the use of AI in this field and how to achieve a successful patent application.
The company visits of the IMPRS-APS for next year are currently still in the planning. To stay up to date, you can check out the IMPRS-APS event page.
Pictures: Nina Beier
