European Patent Office
The European Patent Office (EPO) provides inventors a unified application procedure through which they can obtain patent protection in up to 40 European states. The Office is the executive body of the European Patent Organization and is supervised by the Administrative Council. The main task of the European Patent Office is to grant European patents.
World Intellectual Property Organization
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organization with headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland. It is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations Organization. Its main tasks are: (i) Monitoring the global protection of intellectual property by promoting cooperation of the states; (ii) Administering various multilateral treaties dealing with legal and administrative aspects of intellectual property; (iii) Administration of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and PCT applications.
auftakt. Founder Forum Ilmenau
The auftakt. Founder Forum Ilmenau would like to put into practice a coordinated and comprehensive start-up support. In this way, the entrepreneurial potential at the TU Ilmenau can be exploited by raising awareness of the issues foundation/establishment and entrepreneurship, support and advice in all three phases from pre-set-up, set-up and growth phase, as well as the creation of a network especially for founders, scientists interested in setting up a company, investors, supporters, supervisors and mentors at or in close proximity to the TU Ilmenau.
Confederacy of European Patent Information User Groups
The aim of the Confederacy of European Patent Information User Groups (CEPIUG) is to be a platform for cooperation for the Patent Information User Groups in Europe. Focus of the Confederacy is to subjects that are relevant to all member User Groups. Having these issues resolved by the individual member user groups would be a waste of valuable resources.
German Society for Information & Knowledge e.V. (DGI)
The German Society for Information & Knowledge e.V. (DGI) observes and conveys basics, work methods and technical aids, demonstrates new concepts, methods and tools for the organization and structuring of information services and science management, and represents the interests of documentalists and of all information professionals in their workplace, in public and with respect to information policy and infonomics.
Enterprise Europe Network
The Enterprise Europe Network helps businesses innovate and grow on an international scale. It is the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions. The Network is active in more than 60 countries worldwide. It brings together 3,000 experts from more than 600 member organisations – all renowned for their excellence in business support. Member organisations include: technology poles, innovation support organisations, universities and research institutes, regional development organisations, chambers of commerce and industry.
Forschungs- und Technologieverbund Thüringen e.V.
The Thuringian Research and Technology Network is a network of non-profit making and economy-oriented research centers in Thuringia, which sees itself as representative of the innovative small firm sector and the non-profit making research centers with respect to political, economic, scientific and public areas.
Handwerkskammer Erfurt
Chambers of Trade are representatives of the interests of craftsmen. They administer the trade register, the apprentices’ register, the list of experts, see to vocational training, supervise local trade associations and chambers, advise interested parties on issues concerning business start-up and stay in contact with political leaders.
Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft Thüringen mbH
The State Development Corporation of Thuringia (LEG Thüringen) proverbially prepares the terrain for companies with workplaces, manages international contacts, leverages technology opportunities and renders them usable, creates attractive places to live and improves the quality of life for Thuringia’s inhabitants, entrepreneurs and professionals. As an economic development agency, LEG undertakes marketing efforts for Thuringia, promotes and encourages technology and innovation transfer, supports the recruitment of skilled workers and provides all-in-one services to attract investors to this region in Europe’s heartland.
Network of the Patent information centres (PATLIB)
The European PATLIB centers of the EPO member states enable users to access patent information and related topics. They are familiar with the locally based industrial, commercial and economic conditions and provide valuable services for entrepreneurs, SMEs, individual inventors and students. There are more than 300 patent information centres in the EPO member states. The staff members of PATLIB centres are very experienced experts in patent search. Other services are, for example, monitoring technology and competitors’ development, patent statistics, patent evaluation and patent audit, advice on patent strategy/policy, provision of assistance in marketing/technology transfer as well as other IP right.
PATON is member of the European PATLIB network.
Rationalisierungskuratorium der deutschen Wirtschaft e.V. (RKW)
As an independent group, the focus of interest of the Board of Trustees for Rationalisation of the German Economy (RKW Thüringen) is on the support and improvement of the economic conditions in Thuringia. It works closely with Thuringian companies in the field of ensuring the companies’ competitiveness by continual qualification and training of staff members, as well as with new ways of organizing operating procedures. Accordingly, it provides information and innovative training and advisory services at company level. Small and medium-size companies throughout Thuringia, various institutions and organizations as well as chambers, associations and networks of the Thuringian economy are members of RWK.
TransferAllianz
TransferAllianz is the German association for knowledge and technology transfer and brings together universities, national research institutions and transfer service providers in a nationwide network. TransferAllianz offers a wide variety of services ranging from exchange of experience and training courses as well as technology offers in its own Invention Store to advocacy and participating in developing the political framework.
Verband Innovativer Unternehmen (VIU)
The Association of Innovative Companies has set the task of strengthening and supporting industrial research and efficient market introduction of innovations in medium-sized companies. Results of its activities are the very frequently used BMWi programs ZIM, INNO-KOM-Ost and investment subsidies for the technical infrastructure and other funding and promotion tools at Bundesland level.