Berlin, March 2026 – On 17 March, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), organized a panel discussion titled "Unlocking Business Success through the Power of IP" as a side event to the SET Tech Festival, held in Berlin.
Moderated by Anja von der Ropp, Senior Program Coordinator in WIPO’s IP for Business Division, the session brought together SME representatives from Germany, alongside IP attorney Fabian Landscheidt of Vossius & Partner. Company leaders from SAILWINT, Spark e-Fuels, and ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions shared candid, first-hand accounts of how integrating IP strategy into their business planning had strengthened competitive positioning, and opened doors in partnership and investment negotiations. The discussion made clear that IP is not the exclusive domain of large corporations: for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) willing to think strategically, it can be a decisive advantage.
The event marked the end of an IP Management Clinic, a collaboration with the Israel Patent Office (ILPO), German Energy Agency (dena) and WIPO, which provided 16 participating SMEs from Germany and Israel, in the energy sector, with tailored mentoring and guidance on identifying, protecting and leveraging their intellectual assets.
Clinic participants reflect on their IP journey
The following day, on 18 March, dena hosted the closing event of this IP Management Clinic at the iconic EUREF Campus.
At the closing event, company representatives including Salion Energy reflected on their journeys through the program, sharing success stories and concrete next steps in building more resilient IP strategies. Expert mentors Gideon Friedmann and IP consultant Tobias Lipp distilled key takeaways for the group, while closing remarks from ILPO Deputy Director Yonatan Kolitz underscored the value of international collaboration in making IP accessible to innovative businesses worldwide.
Think IP Early or Risk Falling Behind
A recurring theme across both events was the importance of early and intentional IP thinking. Whether protecting a novel technology through patents, safeguarding a brand through trademarks, or recognizing the value of trade secrets, speakers consistently emphasized that waiting too long to engage with IP can mean missed opportunities — or worse, lost protection.
Proceed with Caution: The Hidden IP Risks of AI-Assisted Innovation
As AI tools become increasingly embedded in research and product development, the discussion also touched on the risks these technologies can pose to a company’s IP position. Feeding technical know-how or confidential business information into AI platforms can inadvertently compromise trade secrets and undermine the very innovations companies are seeking to protect. Furthermore, AI tools trained on third-party content may expose companies to infringement risks they are entirely unaware of. Experts urged SMEs to establish clear internal guidelines on the use of AI in their innovation processes and to seek legal advice before integrating these tools into sensitive areas of their business.
A Global Model for SME IP Support
The Berlin events mark a significant milestone in WIPO’s ongoing work to support SMEs in integrating IP into their growth strategies. With participants drawn from Germany and Israel, the program demonstrated the truly global relevance of accessible, practical IP support. WIPO’s IP Management Clinics continue to offer a unique model for connecting innovative companies with the expertise they need to unlock the full value of their intellectual assets.