Case Study: Intellectual Property Consulting: Free Intellectual Property Consulting (Also) for Established Companies

Case Study:
Intellectual Property Consulting for Established Companies

Dr. Martin Zahel (PTS) | PIZ Dresden

In a series of publications by the Germany-wide Patent Information Centers (PIZ), participants share their experiences with consulting on intellectual property rights. In the following interview with Dr. Martin Zahel, Head of the Fibers & Composites Business Division at PTS (PTS – Institute for Fibers & Paper gGmbH) in Heidenau, you’ll learn what insights and services offered by PIZ Dresden can (also) benefit an established research institute.

What exactly are your company’s services or products?

Dr. Martin Zahel: “PTS has been active as a research institute for the paper and fiber industry for over 70 years. We support companies in the paper and packaging industries through applied research, development, and consulting. Our projects cover a variety of topics, such as improving production processes, developing new materials and technologies, and optimizing quality and sustainability in paper manufacturing and processing. At our Heidenau location, approximately 80 employees are working to achieve these goals.”

When did you first begin working with copyright law?

“Intellectual property rights has played an important role in our work since PTS was founded. On the one hand, our research activities generate new knowledge and technologies that benefit the paper and fiber industry. PTS thus actively contributes to advancing the state of the art and finding new solutions.
On the other hand, copyright law influences our customers’ scope of action, as it determines whether and how they can develop and bring their own products to market. That is why it is so important for us to take copyright law into account in our daily work.”

How have you found the guidance and support provided by the staff at the patent information centers regarding industrial copyright law?

“We have been working very successfully with the Patent Information Center at TUD|excite (PIZ Dresden) for some time now. There, we receive support in educating our employees about intellectual property rights, whether as part of the onboarding process or in response to specific research inquiries. This collaboration is very helpful to us, as we benefit from their many years of expertise and do not have to build our own internal structures.”

After participating in the consultation, have you utilized any specific services offered by the Patent Information Centers regarding industrial property rights? If so, which ones?

“We regularly receive reliable support from PIZ Dresden with patent searches. In addition, with the help of PIZ Dresden, we’ve reviewed our IP management to identify areas for improvement.”