“Intellectual property rights have a significant impact on business” – Interview with Dr. Daniel Herrmann in the WiWo supplement 12/2025

In a supplement to the December 2025 issue of WirtschaftsWoche, Dr. Herrmann explains how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can protect their rights and generate growth with the help of an IP strategy.

The protection of intellectual property is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises, according to BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT partner and patent attorney Dr. Daniel Herrmann in an interview with the editorial team of inpact, a supplement to WirtschaftsWoche.
The risks of idea theft have increased significantly as a result of digitalization, internationalization, and the use of artificial intelligence. In addition, hacker attacks and increasing employee turnover increase the risk of knowledge leakage.

A targeted IP strategy, on the other hand, can promote growth: property rights secure market share, create exclusivity, and serve as bargaining chips for licensing or cross-licensing.
Studies show that SMEs that apply for patents are up to 20 percent more likely to grow. In the case of European patents, the probability of growth is as high as 30 percent.
A well-structured IP portfolio also increases the value of a company, as intangible assets play a decisive role in investments – think of start-ups, for example – as well as acquisitions and mergers.

The full interview with Dr. Daniel Herrmann in German is available online here.