Strategic intellectual property counsel for innovators, startups and global technology companies. From patent prosecution to GDPR compliance — we secure your most valuable assets.
Comprehensive intellectual property and technology law services for companies at every stage — from start-up to global enterprise.
End-to-end patent drafting, filing and prosecution before the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), European Patent Office (EPO) and PCT applications worldwide.
Strategic trademark clearance searches, registration filings at EUIPO and DPMA, portfolio management and brand enforcement across Europe and internationally.
Copyright registration, licensing strategies and enforcement for software, creative works, databases, multimedia and digital content under EU and German copyright law.
Drafting and negotiating software licences, SaaS agreements, technology transfer contracts, joint development agreements and IP assignment deeds.
GDPR compliance audits, privacy policy drafting, DPA agreements, data breach response, DPIA support and representation before supervisory authorities.
Protecting software innovations through patents, copyright and trade secrets. Specialist advice on open-source compliance and AI-generated intellectual property.
Developing trade secret protection programmes, non-disclosure agreements, misappropriation enforcement and trade secret audits aligned with the EU Trade Secrets Directive.
From emerging technology companies to Fortune 500 clients — our work speaks for itself in patents granted, trademarks secured and IP portfolios managed across global markets.
Our patent attorneys have technical backgrounds in engineering, computer science, life sciences and chemistry. We provide strategic advice on patentability and freedom-to-operate, draft high-quality patent applications, and manage complex prosecution before the EPO, DPMA and foreign patent offices through our network of associate firms.
Germany (DPMA) · European Patent Office (EPO) · World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO/PCT) · United States (USPTO via partners) · China (CNIPA via partners)
Software & AI · Fintech · MedTech · Clean Energy · Automotive · Telecommunications · SaaS & Cloud
We provide full-spectrum trademark services from initial clearance searches through to multi-jurisdictional registration and vigorous enforcement. Our team monitors your brand portfolio globally and takes swift action against infringers to preserve the value of your intellectual assets.
98% registration success rate · 1,200+ trademarks managed · Offices in 30+ countries via associate network
In the age of digital transformation, compliance with the GDPR and related German data protection law (BDSG) is not optional — it is a critical business requirement. Our data protection specialists assist companies of all sizes with building robust privacy compliance frameworks and responding effectively to regulatory scrutiny.
GDPR · BDSG (new) · ePrivacy Directive · EU AI Act · NIS2 Directive · Data Governance Act · Digital Services Act
Technology companies face unique legal challenges — from structuring complex licensing arrangements to navigating the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape for AI, cloud services and digital platforms. Our technology law practice provides commercially astute legal advice that enables your business to innovate with confidence.
SaaS & Cloud · Fintech & Insurtech · E-commerce · Digital Health · Gaming · Media & Entertainment · Deep Tech
Founder and managing partner of Vance IP Legal. Dr. Vance holds a doctorate in computer science law from the University of Hamburg and is a European Patent Attorney. She has advised multinationals and unicorn start-ups on complex IP strategies for over 18 years.
European Patent Attorney specialising in software, telecommunications and clean energy technologies. Thomas qualified as a Patentanwalt after a career as an R&D engineer at a Hamburg-based deep tech company, bringing a unique technical-legal perspective to every matter.
Specialist in GDPR compliance, technology contracts and digital platform regulation. Anna advises SaaS companies, e-commerce platforms and fintech firms on navigating the EU's expanding digital regulatory framework, including the Digital Services Act and EU AI Act.
A structured, transparent process designed to maximise the protection and commercial value of your intellectual property.
We begin with a thorough review of your IP assets, goals and current protections to identify opportunities and vulnerabilities.
We develop a tailored IP strategy aligned with your business objectives, budget and markets — ensuring maximum protection and value.
Our attorneys prepare and file high-quality applications, managing all communication with patent offices and trade mark registries.
We monitor your IP rights, alert you to potential infringements and take swift enforcement action to protect your portfolio's value.
Annual portfolio reviews ensure your IP strategy evolves with your business and the legal landscape — keeping you ahead.
Vance IP Legal transformed our patent strategy. Dr. Vance identified a portfolio gap that saved us from a costly infringement dispute. Their depth of technical understanding is extraordinary.
Anna Schulz guided our SaaS company through a complete GDPR overhaul before a major funding round. Her practical, commercially-minded advice was invaluable. Highly recommended for any tech company.
Thomas Richter filed our software patent with a level of technical precision I hadn't seen from other IP firms. The patent was granted by the EPO with no objections. Outstanding work from start to finish.
Have a specific question about your IP situation? Our attorneys are happy to provide a confidential initial assessment.
Ask a QuestionUnder European patent law (EPC Art. 52), software "as such" is excluded from patentability. However, software inventions that produce a "technical effect" beyond the normal physical interactions between a program and the computer on which it runs may be patentable. In practice, many software innovations — particularly in AI, machine learning, data processing and telecommunications — can be protected through carefully drafted patent claims. Our patent attorneys have extensive experience in structuring software-related claims to maximise the chances of grant at the EPO.
Registration of an EU trade mark (EUTM) through the EUIPO typically takes 4–6 months if there are no objections or oppositions. The process involves filing the application, a formal examination period, a three-month opposition window during which third parties may contest the mark, and then registration. We conduct comprehensive clearance searches before filing to minimise the risk of oppositions and ensure the smoothest possible registration process.
SaaS companies processing personal data are typically both data controllers (for their own user data) and data processors (when handling customer data on behalf of clients). Key obligations include: maintaining a Record of Processing Activities (RoPA); having lawful bases for all processing activities; providing transparent privacy notices; implementing appropriate technical and organisational security measures (TOMS); entering into Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with customers; conducting DPIAs for high-risk processing; and appointing a Data Protection Officer if required. We help SaaS companies build scalable GDPR compliance frameworks from the ground up.
In Germany, ownership of employee inventions is governed by the Gesetz über Arbeitnehmererfindungen (ArbEG — Employee Inventions Act). Employees must notify their employer of any invention made in the course of employment. The employer then has four months to claim the invention, after which it becomes the employer's property in exchange for reasonable additional compensation to the inventor. For software copyright, the position differs — employers generally own software created by employees in the course of their employment duties. We assist companies in establishing clear IP assignment policies and employment contracts that protect their IP assets.
Under the EU Trade Secrets Directive (2016/943), implemented in Germany through the Geschäftsgeheimnisgesetz (GeschGehG), information qualifies as a trade secret if it: (1) is not generally known or readily accessible to persons normally dealing with such information; (2) has commercial value because it is secret; and (3) has been subject to reasonable steps by the holder to keep it secret. This means companies must actively implement confidentiality measures — including NDAs, access controls, employee training and data security policies — to benefit from trade secret protection. We help companies implement comprehensive trade secret protection programmes.
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