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Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

When books create brands – and intellectual property rights become visible

From 15 to 19 October 2025, Frankfurt will once again become the capital of the world of books and ideas. Between readings, new releases and cosplay, there is another dimension to the fair: brands, copyrights and licences – in other words, industrial property rights that protect creativity and make it economically viable.

Guest country Philippines – with literary diversity

As guest of honour, the island nation of the Philippines is bringing over 100 creative minds to the fair. Under the motto ‘Fantasy fills the air’, there will be literature, comics, children's books and graphic novels.

When book series become brands

In the field of children's and young adult books in particular, the boundaries between stories, products and brands are becoming blurred. Many series are not only read, but also collected, listened to, played or worn, for example as audio plays, board games, calendars or clothing. Property rights play a central role here. Examples include:

The non-fiction series "Was ist Was" for children has been established for decades and is represented in various media: books, audio plays, films, apps. The title and the characteristic logo are protected by trademark law. Examples include the word/figurative mark DE 39713700 "Was ist Was", but also international translations such as DE 302010004817 "How and Why".

"Die drei ???" ("The Three Investigators") are a prime example of trademark use: in addition to the books, there are audio plays, live shows, merchandising and fan merchandise. The name, logo and characters – much of this is protected or used under licence. Among other things, the register includes the word mark DE 39923200 and several word/figurative marks for the spin-offs "Drei Fragezeichen ??? Kids" (Three Question Marks ??? Kids) and "Drei Ausrufezeichen !!!" (Three Exclamation Marks !!!) (DE 30612815) – specifically for girls.

Woodwalkers by Katja Brandis – a modern fantasy series that also extends far beyond the book itself: readings, fan boxes, audio books, potential film adaptations. Here, too, the title is protected by trademark law (e.g. word mark DE 302022019273). This year, Brandis will be reading from her new fantasy series ‘Windwalkers’ (registered as DE 302022019275) at the book fair.

Young readers and BookTok trends

Young readers are increasingly in the spotlight, especially thanks to platforms such as TikTok. Current BookTok trends are having a noticeable impact on the book industry. Incidentally, "BOOKTOK" is a registered trademark, for example EM 018696968. On 18 October, the "TikTok Book Awards" will be presented, honouring popular young adult books and their authors. The "Meet the Author" area offers young fans the opportunity to meet their favourite authors in person.

Rights trading and licences – the business behind the books

The Frankfurt Rights Meeting is all about the heart of the publishing business: trading rights and licences. This is where titles are sold internationally, translations are negotiated and film adaptations are initiated – and where property rights are always transferred or contractually regulated.

The external link Book-to-Screen Day on 17 October shows how stories become films. Award-winning adaptations, such as "22 Bahnen" by young author Caroline Wahl, make it clear that anyone who adapts content visually or auditorily can only be legally secure if copyright, trademark and design rights have been clearly clarified.

Kinderliteratur und Inklusion

In cooperation with the Dialogmuseum Frankfurt, the fair is also celebrating 200 years of Braille with an exhibition and interactive station for children aged nine and above. Barrier-free literature is also covered by copyright law: thanks to legal exceptions (§ 45a UrhG), works may be produced in Braille or as audio versions without the need to obtain separate rights. Further information on this can be found on our website under: "Authorised bodies".

The classic children's book "Der Grüffelo" (word mark EM 008579153, among others) is a prime example of how a protected work is marketed internationally: book, audio play, soft toy, animated film – all based on secured rights. Grüffelo creator Axel Scheffler is the keynote speaker at the Frankfurt Kids Conference 2025. This year's conference focuses on "Children's books in a fragile world".

Artificial intelligence, freedom of expression and authorship in the age of digital tools

Centre Stage (Hall 4.1) will also take a political and forward-looking approach. The programme "Frankfurt Calling" will discuss issues surrounding artificial intelligence, freedom of expression and authorship in the age of digital tools. AI-generated content in particular raises new questions about copyright: who is the copyright holder when no human being writes or draws anymore?

"Now a book!"

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world's largest industry gathering for books, media and international rights trading. It was launched in its modern form in 1949 with the first post-war fair in Frankfurt's Paulskirche. It is organised by Frankfurter Buchmesse GmbH, a subsidiary of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels, the central trade association of the German book and publishing world.

Every year in October, the fair brings together tens of thousands of trade visitors, authors, publishers, agencies and media professionals from over 100 countries. In addition to literature and new publications, topics such as education, social dialogue, cultural exchange and digitisation play a central role. The Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels has also registered several trademarks, including for the book marketing campaign ‘Jetzt ein Buch!’ (Now a book!).

You can search for further property rights relating to books, comics and stories in DPMAregister .

Picture 1: Frankfurter Buchmesse, other pictures: DPMA via DPMAregister

Last updated: 14 October 2025