To prevent third parties from “stealing” your design and inventiveness there are various protection regimes:
– Trademark registration.
– Design registration for the design of products.
– Patents for inventions.
– Copyright.
– Plant Breeders’ rights.
– Designations of origin.
– Confidentiality agreements.
– Unfair competition law.
Design registration
The appearance of a product can be protected by means of a design registration. You may prevent that competitors come with a roduct has a strong resemblance.
In the EU a design can be registered within one year after disclosure. Nevertheless, a design should be registered as soon as possible; preferably before disclosure. A registration is valid for 5 years. You may renew the registration four times with five years; maximum of 25 years.
It is also possible to register a design outside the EU. This should be done per country, but also via a system where protection is obtained in a number of countries with one single registration.
Patents
A patent offers the exclusive right to the exploitation of technical inventions during the period of validity. Patentable inventions may be complex machines and simple utensils, but also production methods or medicines. An invention is only protected if it is registered.
MerkWerk does not register patents; this is a different specialism. We work closely with reputable patent offices, also because the protection of products and inventions often coincides with design protection and trademark registration.
Copyrights
For protection on the basis of the Copyright Act is eligible; books, photos, websites, computer programs, TV formats, slogans, architecture, industrial and graphic design etc. Every original work of literature, science and art falls under the Copyright Act.
Copyrights arise at the time of creation. No formalities are necessary for copyrights. However, it may be wise to have proof of the date of the creation of a work. An i-Depot is an excellent independent tool and can be an important piece of evidence in later plagiarism procedures.
The copyright holder has the exclusive right to publish and reproduce the work, in short, to exploit it. Without permission of this owner, no use can be made of the work. To indicate that something is copyrighted, the copyright symbol may be used; © MerkWerk, 2026.
i-depot
Protecting an idea or concept through a specific intellectual property right is sometimes difficult. With the help of an i-Depot, the elaboration of your idea or concept can be officially recorded at the design stage. This way you create an excellent tool that helps with the protection of your idea, concept, invention, slogan, document, prototype, design, format, drawing and / or working method. Even if negotiations with potential partners take place, the i-Depot can be of great added value.
The i-Depot is a good first step in protecting your Intellectual Property right; 100% secret, 100% reliable. You will be able to easily create independent evidence. Note: the i-Depot does not provide an exclusive independent right; it is only an important aid and means of proof. The i-Depot is valid for five years and can be extended with the same period.
TM registration
Only if your trademark is registered, you can act against the use and abuse of your trademark, logo or packaging.
a new brand?
Is your trademark still available? How to avoid and manage the risks with the launch of a new brand / logo / trade name?
international mark
A mark is protected only when registered in a country. First come, first served. We register trademarks worldwide.
IP management
For efficient and accurate management of brand portfolios, experience and expertise are essential. Try us out.