Preview Participation in trade fairs in 2021 – The virtual exhibition stand of the DPMA
Last year, our plans were frustrated and we presented ourselves only at a few trade fairs and events. The pandemic situation created new challenges for the entire trade fair industry as well as the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA). To appear at digital trade fairs and events too, we have developed a virtual exhibition stand. This allows us to present ourselves as a modern service provider and centre of expertise for intellectual property at virtual trade fairs and events. The primary aim of our exhibition stand is to raise public awareness of the importance of intellectual property and provide information on its protection.
Developed as a 360° tour of the DPMA, the virtual exhibition stand is an interactive tool for visitors to gather information about our products and services.
It is planned to participate in more virtual trade fairs and digital events with our virtual exhibition stand in the 2021 trade fair season.
For current dates and trade fair participations of the DPMA, please refer to our website. Since trade fair organisers can only make short-term plans depending on the number of infections, this report cannot provide a reliable trade fair calendar.
This is also a new experience for the trade fair team at the DPMA. We are curious to see how the work at trade fairs will develop this year, as the trade fair organisers have also worked very hard to develop new concepts.
Project “PATLIB 2.0”
From 2021, we will also help contribute to pressing ahead with the recommendations of the PATLIB Summit 2019 and the vision of a successful international network of patent information centres (PATLIB centres), described in the Strategic Plan 2023 of the European Patent Office (EPO). This is intended to facilitate access to intellectual property for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and technology pioneers, and further raise awareness of the value of patents for the economy and society.
In collaboration with the national offices, the “PATLIB 2.0” project aims at strengthening the visibility and reach of the PATLIB centres by 2023, for example by
- expanding and improving the overall visibility and reach of the PATLIB network and its services,
- creating synergy with other networks in neighbouring fields; and
- ensuring that information and training relating to patent information are available where there are currently still gaps.
Read more about this on the website of the European Patent Office at www.epo.org
In Focus DPMA is massively expanding its Jena location
It is a far-reaching decision: The German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) will substantially expand its Jena location in the coming years. At least 110 additional attractive jobs will gradually be created at the Thuringian office – for the first time also in the field of patent examination.
In consultation with the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection the DPMA senior management developed plans for the expansion of the Jena location. This is linked to an important strategic decision: the establishment of three additional patent divisions at the location in Thuringia. As a result, the headcount of the Jena office will grow from 220 to about 340 (including part-time staff).
According to current plans, the new patent divisions will formally be set up at the end of 2021 with assistance from experienced colleagues from Munich and then expanded in several stages. 93 examiners in total including executives will work in Jena in the future. Expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. In autumn 2021, a first recruitment drive will be launched for 15 new patent examiners to be hired for the Jena location.
“Jena is an extremely high-profile location in the east of Germany, both economically and technologically. As the cradle of the European optics and photonics industry with its university, science institutes and strong, innovative companies, Jena has developed into the leading high-tech centre in Thuringia and central Germany. We want to present ourselves as an attractive and secure employer there and thus attract further highly qualified staff for our important duties,” emphasises DPMA President Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer, adding: “I am convinced that our customers will also benefit from the DPMA having an even stronger foothold in Jena.”
At present, the Jena office is still in charge of trade marks and designs only as well as of horizontal services of the DPMA. The examination of about 40% of the overall German trade mark application volume takes place at that location as well as the administration of all trade mark rights, also those examined in Munich, for what are referred to as post-registration procedures. This means that all renewals, cancellation procedures and the recording of changes for the approximately 850,000 trade marks in force are performed in Jena. The office in Jena is solely in charge of the examination and administration of designs. Almost 300,000 registered designs in force are managed there.
The trade mark area at the Thuringia location will also be strengthened by additional colleagues from mid-year 2021; the external recruitment process has already been concluded. Further jobs in the trade mark area could be added from 2022 because of the increase in the number of applications. Six to eight new experts are to be hired for IT operations by the beginning of 2022.
The Jena office of the DPMA has existed for more than 20 years. It owes its establishment in 1998 to a decision by the Commission on Federalism of 27 May 1992 after German unification.
Career at the DPMA
Are you looking for a new career venture? Are you interested in a varied job with a wide range of development opportunities at the cutting edge of technology? At the same time, you would like to be able to balance work and personal life?
As a federal authority, we have a lot to offer to you – both as a central provider of IP services and as a family-friendly employer with flexible working hours.
Information on job vacancies for the Jena location as well as on other interesting employment opportunities at the DPMA is available on our website under “Career”. Subscribe to our RSS feed so that you won’t miss out on any advertised job vacancies.
