As part of the innovation2business.nrw network, PROvendis offers scientists and founders of the network universities advice on all intellectual property (IP) protection options: 

• Patent: protection for technical inventions
• Copyright protection and protection of trade secrets and know-how
• Registered design: protection for two/three-dimensional appearance
• Trademark: unique mark for products and services
• Protection options for software (review of third-party rights in the open source area, assignment of rights)

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia provides the universities with funding for protection of intellectual property rights, if there are positive prospects for the commercialization of the research results.