Patents can be acquired at the national level but also by the European route (before the European Patent Office) or by a so-called international application. Inventions of a technical nature can be protected by patents for a maximum term of 20 years.

In Germany and some other countries it is also possible to protect an invention by a utility model for a maximum of 10 years. Unlike a patent, a utility model is an unexamined property right. This can be acquired more rapidly and more cheaply than a patent.

Trademarks are used to protect a sign (logo) which is provided for use in connection with specific goods and services. A trademark can in particular be acquired at a national level or at the level of the European Union. The possible term of protection is unlimited. The German Trademark Act also provides protection for company symbols.

Design protection (or at EU level: registered design protection) relates to two- or three-dimensional shapes of a product or part thereof. Registered designs can also be acquired in particular at the German level or the level of the European Union. The term of protection can extend over a maximum of 25 years.