“The German Patent and Trade Mark Office is a treasure that needs to be preserved”. What a nice quote! Could appreciation be expressed any more clearly? My starting out with what seems like self-praise might leave you a bit puzzled. So let me clarify straightaway: The originator of this quote is not a member of our staff, but the President of the German Chamber of Patent Attorneys. The addressee was the Federal Minister of Justice, the occasion was the farewell-ceremony for my predecessor Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer and my own inauguration.

I found this statement quite impressive. There is always something to criticise, is there not? Does the public not generally consider public authorities to be overly burdened by red tape? Are fees not by default perceived as too high? Official decisions as too bureaucratic? Of course, an inauguration is not exactly an occasion for rants. And of course, the patent attorney community voices criticism regularly. But nonetheless, I do not take such a heartfelt expression of general appreciation by the representation of a profession for granted.

Dear readers, as you might know, I have only been in office since February. I took over this position with delight and drive from day one, but naturally, I am not yet entirely familiar with the ins and outs of the system. Nevertheless, I believe that I understand what this statement refers to.

First of all, there is of course the considerable expertise of the DPMA: 146 years of experience and constant focus on quality have their effect. I believe the quality of the intellectual property rights granted and registered by our office to in general be undeniably up to the highest standards by international comparison. In my view, there is something else that adds to that: the spirit of partnership. The DPMA is not simply a higher federal authority, but also views itself as a service provider. We do not only have applicants; we also have customers. Along with the attorney community, inventors, companies, IP service providers and many other organisations, we are part of a big project that we all benefit from: commercial property rights and intellectual property rights assure progress, growth and wealth. That is worth cooperating for – and showing appreciation for each other.

Dear readers, I hope that this attitude is also reflected in this annual report, by the offers and services that are presented, but also by the different perspectives that we take into account. As your new DPMA President, I want to reach out to you for this kind of partnership. And concerning the opening quote, I would like to reassure you: We are quite aware of our actual role. We are not so much the treasure as we are the treasury for your technical innovations, trade marks and designs.

Enjoy reading and remain innovative!

Sincerely yours

Eva Schewior