DPMA Trademark Search 2026: Step-by-Step Guide for the German Trademark Register

A professional DPMA trademark search is the most important step before your trademark registration. If you do not research carefully, you risk opposition at the DPMA, a warning letter, or high follow-up costs.

Through the DPMA Register, you gain access to national German trademarks, publication data, and register entries of the German Patent and Trademark Office. Here you will learn how to properly research trademarks and permanently protect your rights.

What is a DPMA Trademark Search in the Register?

The DPMA trademark search is the systematic examination of whether identical or similar trademarks have already been registered or applied for.

The German Patent and Trademark Office manages:

• national German trademarks

• trademarks and designs

• utility models

• other industrial property rights

The DPMA maintains the official trademark register and offers you online-supported research through various search options.

Important: The DPMA does not conduct a material collision check when registering a trademark. This responsibility lies with you as the applicant.

How does the DPMA Register and the DPMA Databases Work?

Through the DPMA Register, you can directly access the database. Several research options are available to you:

• Basic search via the search field

• Extended similarity search

• Filter by classes

• Search by publication data

The DPMA databases contain comprehensive information on industrial property protection in Germany. Additionally, DEPATISnet exists for patent and utility model searches.

Patent information centers and a database hotline also offer research support.

Why is a Basic Search Not Enough?

Many only check if the trademark name exists identically. However, trademark law also protects against similar signs.

Our complete guide to trademark research before registration shows you how to check your brand name systematically.

Problematic are:

• identical and similar trademarks

• phonetic proximity

• conceptual overlaps

• industry-related classes

Already similar or identical trademarks can jeopardize your registration. If rights are violated, a warning letter or opposition at the DPMA may occur.

With TMPilot's online trademark check, you can check identity and similarity across the DPMA, EUIPO, and WIPO in a single pass.

A thorough trademark search therefore considers:

• Identity

  

• Similarity

• Class overlap

• Protective effect of older rights

Do You Need to Check EUIPO and WIPO Besides DPMA?

Yes, definitely.

In addition to trademarks at the DPMA, you should also research at:

EUIPO

The European Union Intellectual Property Office manages Union trademarks. These are automatically valid in Germany as well.

If you do not research at the EUIPO, you may overlook older rights of the European Union for intellectual property.

Our article on EUIPO Search Plus: professional EU trademark research shows you how to use the official EU database correctly.

WIPO

The World Intellectual Property Organization manages internationally registered trademarks (IR trademarks).
Internationally registered rights can also have effect in Germany.

Which Additional Rights May Be Relevant?

In addition to trademarks, there are other commercially protected rights:

• Design

• Patent

• Utility model

Especially for product-related concepts or technical innovations, these rights can play a role. DEPATISnet complements your research here.

How Does Trademark Registration at the DPMA Work?

Before registering your trademark, you should check whether there are already trademarks that are identical or confusingly similar.

The trademark registration takes place at the German Patent and Trademark Office. After successful registration, your registered trademark will have protective effect.

Note: In trademark registrations, older holders can file an opposition within three months.

You can find all the details on the process, costs, and deadlines in our guide to trademark law in Germany.

How Do You Permanently Protect Your Trademark?

After successful registration, trademark monitoring begins.

Monitoring searches help you:

• early detection of newly registered trademarks

• identify similar trademarks

• avoid rights violations

Only through continuous monitoring can trademarks remain effective.

TMPilot takes care of this for you: automatic trademark monitoring alerts you to new, similar applications before the opposition period expires.

Typical Mistakes in Research

❌ Only check identity
❌ Ignore EUIPO
❌ Do not consider IR trademarks
❌ Do not conduct similarity search
❌ Choose classes incorrectly

These mistakes often lead to conflicts in trademark law and jeopardize your rights.

Start Professional Trademark Research Now

You can research in the register yourself – but it is time-consuming and prone to errors.

With TMpilot, you receive:

• Complete DPMA research

• EUIPO & WIPO check

• Analysis of identical and similar trademarks

• Assessment of protective effect

• Risk assessment before registration

Conclusion

• The DPMA is the central authority for industrial property protection in Germany

• The DPMA Register offers you the most important research opportunity

• You should always additionally check EUIPO and WIPO

• A thorough trademark search minimizes your risk

• Trademark monitoring secures your rights permanently

If you want to protect your intellectual property, everything starts with professional research.

Sources and further reading

• DPMAregister: Official trademark database of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office
• DPMA: Trade mark information
• German Trade Mark Act (MarkenG) – Gesetze im Internet
• EUIPO eSearch plus: Official EU trade mark search
• TMview: Cross-border trademark search (EUIPN)