The path to your own patent or spin-off

On the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day, the Information Center for Technology and Patents and the Center for Entrepreneurship & Transfer will be holding a special event on April 29, 2025 to highlight the advantages of filing a patent application for inventors at TU Dortmund University and the support available for start-ups at TU Dortmund University. Register now!

At a glance

What: Special event on "World Intellectual Property Day" with practical examples and testimonials from inventors and founders
When: Tuesday, April 29, 10:00 - 12:00
Where: HyLeC of the University Library (Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Straße 18)
Register now!

A special form of publishing research results is the patent. If the research result is a technical invention that is new, original and, in principle, also commercially applicable, nothing actually stands in the way of patenting. However, patents do not necessarily have to be the cornerstone of founding a company, as innovative business ideas can also be protected in other ways and result in a spin-off.

"Too complicated" is the prejudice that is often held against the patenting and start-up process. The Information Center for Technology and Patents (ITP) and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Transfer (CET ) show that this prejudice is wrong, that TU Dortmund University offers comprehensive services for patenting and that inventors not only have obligations, but in particular tangible benefits from patenting their inventions or have access to needs-based support services at TU Dortmund University.

The two institutions are inviting you to a lecture event on April 29 to mark World Intellectual Property Day!

Program

10:00 a.m. HyLeC - Learning worlds of the Hybrid Learning Center

Linda Patalla, Hybrid Learning Center

The HyLeC presents innovative teaching and learning opportunities for teaching key digital skills. Students have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with new technologies. In this way, curious TU students can learn how to use 3D printers and VR applications, for example, regardless of their degree course and level of knowledge.

10:20 a.m. Patents and patent information

Dr. Stephan Jekat, MBA, Information Center Technology and Patents

The ITP will provide an introduction to the world of industrial property rights (patents, utility models, trademarks, designs) and show how patent information can be researched and used to avoid duplicate developments and infringements of property rights, or to find solutions for research projects.

10:40 a.m. Patenting your own invention | founding your own company

Arjeta Gashi, Center for Entrepreneurship & Transfer

The CET shows the obligations and, in particular, the advantages that arise for inventors from patenting and outlines the high level of support available for patenting and setting up a company.

11:00 a.m. Practical report | invention disclosure, patent application

Ramon Helwing, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chair of Materials Testing Technology

In a practical report, Mr. Helwing (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chair of Materials Testing Technology) will present the invention of an ultrasound-based materials testing device and report on the invention and patenting process in everyday university life.

11:25 a.m. Practical report | spin-off, copyright, license law

Dr. Christian Lübbert, amofor GmbH

In the second practical report, Dr. Christian Lübbert will present the path of founding a company from the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (Chair of Thermodynamics). amofor GmbH offers advanced in-silico formulation development services and state-of-the-art software tools to optimize and streamline your formulation processes. In order to protect the company's intellectual property, the company focuses on copyright and license agreements as well as trademark law.