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Workaround solutions for patents - when are they needed?

Strong competitors often hold valuable patents. If new markets are to be penetrated, there are often established competitors whose property rights portfolio should be taken into account. If an important technical solution is patented, a suitable workaround is necessary and valuable. It is often not possible to convince competitors to grant licenses. Our patent attorneys are familiar with such situations and we support you in finding the right approach. We not only try to show you which competitors' rights you should accept, but we also help you to find ways around and between your competitors' intellectual property rights.

When are work around solutions for patents usually needed?

From our experience, the hardest struggle when it comes to design around solutions for patents and utility models is found where disposable goods are concearned. Here the largest profit can be made through a patent protection. Patents are here often used on systems made of disposable goods and the related product. Well known examples herefore are coffee capsules for coffee mashines or printer cartridges. If a company is able to hold such a patent and is also established in that field it is possible to achieve high profit of such a product. The more attractive it gets for competitors to find design around solutions for unstable patents.

What can we as patent attorneys do for you?

First of all it is important to gather all information on the scope of protection of a critical patent or utility model. Every patent regulation has a loophole. After that a systematical finding of design around tactic is advisable where every detail of the patent is observed and also other property rights in that field are closely watched. Then, creative solutions are to be found. We draw our experience from a multitude of counsultation meetings and have therefore gathered a great deal of knowlegde on design around solutions. In case of need we consult further creative development offices. We have often found, that already the wording of the patent claims offers ground for suitable design arounds. Furthermore the economical risks and chances should always be observed and reviewed. We assist you with all questions concearning this topic.

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