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Special occasions

United by music – protected by trade marks
Eurovision Song Contest and IP rights

The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is much more than a TV event - for millions of fans it is an iconic symbol for a Europe united by music. Behind the scenes, an elaborate system of trade mark rights and copyrights serves to protect this unique contest.

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World IP Day 2026
Sport and intellectual property rights: A springboard for innovation

State-of-the-art equipment, measuring instruments, training methods, broadcasting technology and much more: intellectual property plays a crucial role in sport. IP is essential for the protection and promotion of inventions, designs and trademarks.

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Easter secret
How does the Easter Bunny lay eggs?

One of the last big questions of mankind is: How does the Easter Bunny actually manage to lay eggs? Generations of biologists, ethnologists and children have racked their brains over this. Recent research suggests that findings in the patent database of the DPMA may lead to the solution of the mystery.

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From US3159935

Santa Claus patents, brands, designs
Ho, ho, ho! Santa & IP

Actually, it's a rather tricky matter: Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Heiliger Nikolaus, Sinterclaas, Père Noël, Weihnachtsmann, Joulupukki - who actually is it who brings us presents? And when? About the metamorphoses of a legendary figure - and the intellectual property rights around it.

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Halloween and IP
Patents of horror

In addition to Christmas and Easter, a third holiday now dominates the seasonal offerings in the stores: Halloween. The creepy fest has established itself as a permanent fixture in the calendar and retail trade. It is a million-dollar business worldwide. So it is obvious that intellectual property rights are in demand!

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Star Wars Day
The empire and IP

All over the world, fans celebrate Star Wars Day on 4 May. Why on this date in particular? Well, the pronunciation of the date "May the 4th" is very similar to the beginning of the probably most popular sentence from the space saga, "May the force be with you". Incidentally, the phrase has been registered as a word mark since 2020.

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World IP Day 2025
Intellectual property and music: Feel the beat of IP

Music enriches every aspect of our lives. World Intellectual Property Day 2025 shows how creativity and innovation, supported by intellectual property rights, create a vibrant, diverse and thriving music scene that benefits everyone - including a small DPMA music quiz.

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World IP Day 2024
Shaping a sustainable future together

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we need to change the way we live. What can intellectual property (IP) contribute? Patent-protected inventions, sustainable designs and brands can all help us create a better, greener and more sustainable tomorrow.

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The Bollerwagen
Much-loved beer wagon

The day of the handcart is approaching. Ascension Day is Father's Day, and Father's Day is Bollerwagen Day. Up and down the country, joyful men will once again be dragging hand carts around. In them they will transport beer and schnapps, and maybe a grill (and sometimes drunken fathers on the way back).

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World Radio Day 2022
Radio and Trust

On 13 February, UNESCO celebrates World Radio Day. This year, the theme is ""Radio and Trust". Because despite its more than hundred-year history, radio is still one of the most widely used media´.

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For Valentine's Day
Is there a patent medicine for love?

Valentine's Day on 14 February is commonly known as the day for lovers. Many show their affection for their better halves with chocolate, flowers and other small and large gifts. Speaking of love: What about love and trade marks?

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Clip folder and saying "Happiness can be planned"

International Day of Happiness
What about the plan to achieve happiness ("Plan vom Glück")?

What is happiness and how can we find it? This is the question we ask ourselves on the occasion of the "International Day of Happiness", which was established by the United Nations as an international day in 2012 and which we celebrate every year on March 20th.

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Last updated: 8 May 2026