"Through the 'Innovators' Meeting' we pay tribute to our highly valued inventors and show just how important they are to our company”, emphasized Klaus Endress, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group. "Innovations and patents are the foundation for the future success of our corporation.”
Endress+Hauser honored over 200 inventors at the 'Innovators' Meeting' in the new 'Sternenhof' building in Reinach, Switzerland. As in previous years, high-ranking representatives of both the German and the European Patent Offices accepted invitations and took this opportunity to discuss with the inventors and those responsible for the patents, their wishes and experiences regarding the patent application process.
The 'Sternenhof' resembled a marketplace: at stalls specially erected for this event, between candy floss stands and "Test your strength” booths, the creative brains of the Endress+Hauser Group talked about their inventions, exchanged experiences with their colleagues and speculated about new developments. The highlight of the event were the 'Patent Rights Incentive Awards'. The certificates and glass trophies were presented by Klaus Endress and Dieter Schaudel jointly.
This year the 'Patent Rights Incentive Awards', each with a 10,000 Euro prize, were awarded to the inventor of two extraordinary developments in the fields of 'Plant Planning' and 'Process Safety'. These two patents, awarded for the first time last year, are considered particularly significant in economic terms.
"We regard patents as an important means to protect our intellectual property”, explained Dieter Schaudel. "Through patents we can achieve our strategic goals, and further significantly increase our market share in all our strategic regions and branches.”
The 'Patent Rights Incentive Program', introduced by the group of companies in 2000, offers inventors worldwide a particular incentive to register their new ideas. Since then the number of patent applications has more than tripled.
The procedure for registering patents should be made as simple as possible. "We are always ready to advise and support our inventors in their application for a new patent”, stresses Angelika Andres, Head of Endress+Hauser PatServe, the corporation's own support center for questions concerning patents. Endress+ Hauser has more than 3,400 'live' patents and patent applications worldwide.
Last year applications were predominantly made to the German Government Office for Patents and Brand Names, followed by the European Patent Office as well as the United States Patent and Trademarks Office. The Asian region is also growing in significance. Patent applications in China are becoming increasingly important. Patents can be registered without any problem there, but enforcing protective rights is far more difficult. |
