Patents protect technical theories against imitation. The conditions for the issue of a patent on an invention are innovation, inventive activity and industrial applicability. Scientific theories or mathematical methods, aesthetic designs (see designs for more) or business concepts do not qualify for patent protection.

A trademark is described as being the name or identification of a certain product or service. All symbols, especially words and figures, but also illustrations, can be registered as trademarks, but must be able to distinguish their protected goods or services from those of other companies.

The design or outer form of a product can be protected by the “design patent”. Regarded as a product is any industrial or technical object, including packaging, fittings, graphic symbols or typographic characters. Computer programs are not considered to be products.