Tag der gewerblichen Schutzrechte 2026 in Stuttgart: Our Takeaways

Small conferences have something that large trade fairs rarely offer: genuine conversations. No noise, no rushing from booth to booth, just focused exchange with people who are truly passionate about the topic. That is exactly why we are big fans of the Industrial Property Rights Day in Stuttgart, and that is exactly why we were there again this year.

On July 15, 2026 the Industrial Property Rights Day 2026 took place at the Liederhalle Stuttgart, organized by the Patent and Trademark Center Baden-Württemberg. A day that was well worth it—in terms of content, personal connection, and strategy.

1. Meeting new clients, visiting existing ones – prioritizing personal exchange

For us, preparation for such events doesn't start on the day itself. We consciously use the opportunity to schedule appointments with new and existing clients in the region in advance and visit them personally before or after the conference.

In an age where much is done remotely and digital communication dominates, this is not a nostalgic desire for us, but a clear conviction: Personal interaction creates a quality of connection that no video call can replace. You understand each other's challenges better. You think things through together. And you build trust that lasts.

The Industrial Property Rights Day provides the perfect setting for this: manageable, focused, and with the right audience.

2. Our booth: High interest, strong response

The day impressively confirmed that we are on the right track with PATOffice. Interest in our booth was greater than expected and the conversations showed what is really on the minds of the IP community right now.

Two topics in particular resonated strongly:

Agentic AI: The idea that AI in the IP process doesn't just react to requests but actively takes on tasks was a real "aha moment" for many we spoke with. With PIA, the PATOffice Intelligent Assistant, we are taking exactly this step: specialized agents that work together under a supervisor instance and feature 25+ controllable functions , and are already MCP-ready.

At the same time, it was great to see that it’s not just the technology that inspires, but also the simplicity in everyday work: How intuitive the research process is, how seamless the monitoring runs, and how uncomplicated the collaboration between IP teams and R&D becomes—for many companies, these are just as important as the AI features themselves. It’s the combination of both that makes the difference.

3. The presentations: Two highlights, one clear message

adidas: Patent work is a team sport

Christof Wolpert, VP Global Legal Product Creation at adidas, gave a presentation that sticks with you—not because of complex slides, but because of the clarity of the message.

Simple slides. Strong statements. And a philosophy that goes far beyond IP:

Play to Win. Don't just play to participate; play to win. That is a mindset an entire team needs. Everyone has to be fully committed and contribute their part, because competitive advantage isn't just a departmental task. It is the goal of the entire organization, from the CEO down to the administrative staff.

What this means for IP: Knowing your competition is not an option; it is a fundamental requirement. If you don't know what your competition is doing, you cannot be better than them. In this sense, patent work is not just a legal craft; it is strategic intelligence.

STIHL: Protecting 100 years of innovation

Dr. Frederik Golks, Head of Intellectual Property at ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG, who already impressed at PATINFO2026, reaffirmed in Stuttgart why his approach is so groundbreaking.

The core message: IP is at its strongest when it is part of the innovation process from the very beginning , not as an afterthought for protection, but as a strategic lever from the start. Early patent searches define fields of innovation, identify white spots, and pave the way for long-term market shaping. In this way, intellectual property rights become an instrument for actively shaping the future.

Both presentations have one thing in common: they show that the best IP teams do not react, they anticipate.

4. Conclusion: Exactly why we love these formats

The Industrial Property Rights Day is not a mass-market event. It is intentionally small, intentionally focused, and that is exactly why it is so valuable. The conversations are more genuine, the insights last longer, and the network grows in depth rather than breadth.

For us, it was an all-around successful day: with clients we have supported for years and with new faces who show that the topic of IP is gaining traction across the board. And with a program that doesn't lecture, but inspires.

A big thank you to the Patent- und Markenzentrum Baden-Württemberg for the excellent organization. The IP community needs formats like this – and we are very happy to be a part of it.

📅 Save the Date: Industrial Property Rights Day 2027

We are already looking forward to next year and to meeting you again in Stuttgart.

👉 Would you like to learn more about PATOffice?

Get in touch – we look forward to hearing from you.

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