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Caution: Fraudulent requests for payment by e-mail! (26.01.2026)
Please be aware that fraudulent payment requests are circulating again. As in previous cases of fraud, trademark applicants have been contacted by email. The emails, which purportedly come from the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), ask recipients to transfer "due" application fees (up to four figures) to an alleged account belonging to the European Union Intellectual Property Office – Conformity and Registration Department – AMDC; please note: Polish IBAN number. The fraudulent emails also contain a forged trademark certificate bearing the DPMA logo and a forged signature.
The DPMA expressly points out that these e-mails are not related to the Office. The Office does not send invoices or requests for payment - neither for the application or renewal of IP rights nor for their publication in the official registers.
DesignEuropa Awards 2026: Apply now!
For ten years, EUIPO has been celebrating outstanding design across Europe with the 
DesignEuropa Awards. In 2026, the European Union Designs (EUD) awards for exceptional designs will be presented in four categories: “Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses”, “Industry” and “Next Generation Design” for young designers aged 29 and under. There will also be a lifetime achievement award again. In 2024, this award went to Dieter Rams.
Each category recognises outstanding achievements in design, with a focus on innovation, market impact and contributions to the design community. The award ceremony will take place in September 2026 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Individuals, companies and institutions can apply for the DesignEuropa Awards until 20 February 2026.
Podcast interview: DPMA President Eva Schewior guest on ‘IP Fridays’
What is the DPMA doing to shorten processing times? How can artificial intelligence help? What are the implications of the recent modernisation of trade mark law? And why is the DPMA a good employer? In the ‘ IP Fridays’ podcast, DPMA President Eva Schewior comments on current topics from the world of intellectual property.
In conversation with patent attorney Dr Rolf Claessen, she reports, among other things, on how the DPMA intends to systematically examine in future the areas in which AI can support the work of the DPMA and the tools that can be used for this purpose. She also explains what the DPMA is doing to ensure examination quality. And she talks about measures taken by the Office to raise general awareness of the importance of intellectual property protection.
The English-language podcast, hosted alternately by Rolf Claessen and a US colleague, usually features leading representatives from the world of IP.
February 2026
- Important notice (12.02.2026)
Increase of trade mark applications made in bad faith - Milestones (12.02.2026)
The godfather of fast cars: August Horch died 75 years ago - Background (04.02.2026)
Winter Olympics in Cortina and Milan: Olympia - Mascots, money, marketing - Events (03.02.2026)
Sign up now! DPMAnutzerforum 2026: Focus on quantum technology - Press release (02.02.2026)
‘Only those who protect intellectual property can exploit its economic potential’: EU support programme for small and medium-sized enterprises relaunched
January 2026
- Ingenious women (30.01.2026)
Mother of the Monster: Mary Shelley died 175 years ago - Milestones (28.01.2026)
Ferdinand Porsche died 75 years ago: An engineer and his century - Milestones (28.01.2026)
140 years ago: Carl Benz applies for a patent for his "Motorwagen" - Information pages for SME (27.01.2026)
SME Fund 2026: Grants for SMEs - Milestones (26.01.2026)
Artur Fischer died 10 years ago: Germany´s most productive inventor ever - Events (23.01.2026)
Apply now: Online Course "IP for professionals - Turning your trademark application into a success" - Number of the month (21.01.2026)
211 applications for geographical indications for agricultural products - Press release (16.01.2026)
Porcelain, cuckoo clocks, knives: new protection for regional products - Ingenious women (08.01.2026)
Century designer: 55th anniversary of death of Coco Chanel - Milestones (02.01.2026)
150th birthday: Konrad Adenauer as inventor of soy sausage and killer brush - Important Notice (02.01.2026)
Update of the official list of goods for designs for the 15th edition of the Locarno Classification
Customer service will be upgrading its IT systems at the beginning of 2026
At the beginning of 2026, the customer service department of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office will be upgrading its IT systems. This may cause delays in processing enquiries during the first few weeks of the year. However, we will still be available to assist you during the upgrade and will be happy to provide you with all the information you need. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
December 2025
- Ingenious women (19.12.2025)
Germany´s first female pilot: Melli Beese, inventor and entrepreneur - Notice of the President (19.12.2025)
of 19 December 2025 concerning the 13th edition of the international Nice Classification (in force as from 1 January 2026) and concerning the publication of the list of classes and the alphabetical lists of goods and services in the Federal Gazette - Notice of the President (18.12.2025)
of 18 December 2025 concerning the opening hours of the Munich office of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office on 17 February 2026 (Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras) - Number of the month (18.12.2025)
11,327 entries for "Jugend forscht" (Youth Researches) - Milestones (12.12.2025)
30th anniversary of death of computer pioneer Konrad Zuse: Making history in the living room - Press release (11.12.2025)
Gift Responsibly: Say No to Fakes! - Notice of the President (11.12.2025)
of 10 December 2025 concerning the amount of the provision costs for the supply of machine-readable data - Ingenious women (05.12.2025)
210th birthday: Ada Lovelace - Computer pioneer - Search - Find - Protect (02.12.2025)
Patent Law Symposium 2025: Exchange on current topics in German and European patent law
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Bild: iStock.com/Vertigo3d
Last updated: 12 February 2026
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