Intellectual Property lawyers in Bergen (EU)

Bergen’s economy features several industries that actively seek patent protection services:

• Maritime technology and shipping innovations
• Aquaculture and seafood processing technologies
• Renewable energy solutions, particularly offshore wind
• Oil and gas technology
• Medical and biotech innovations from research centers like the University of Bergen
• Digital technology and software from the growing tech sector

These industries form the core client base for patent attorneys in Bergen, reflecting the region’s economic strengths and innovation focus.

The trademark registration process for businesses in Vestland county follows the Norwegian national procedure:

1. Preliminary search to verify availability
2. Filing application with the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (Patentstyret)
3. Examination by the office for compliance with legal requirements
4. Publication for opposition period (2 months)
5. Registration granted if no objections are filed

Bergen businesses can file directly or through a trademark lawyer. Registration provides 10 years of protection and can be renewed. For international protection, companies can use the Madrid System while maintaining their Bergen base.

Startups in Bergen can access affordable IP legal advice through:

• Bergen Technology Transfer Office, offering initial guidance for university-affiliated startups
• VIS Innovation, providing IP support for research-based ventures
• Innovation Norway’s regional office in Bergen, which offers funding for IP protection
• Connect Vest, a network connecting startups with experienced mentors
• The Norwegian Industrial Property Office’s information services
• Pro bono consultations offered by some attorneys in Bergen

Additionally, intellectual-property.org’s quote system allows startups to compare rates from multiple IP professionals serving the Bergen area.

Bergen companies benefit from working with local patent attorneys for several practical reasons. Local attorneys understand Bergen’s business environment and key industries like maritime technology, aquaculture, and energy. They offer convenient in-person meetings in central Bergen locations, saving travel time to Oslo. Local attorneys often maintain connections with Bergen’s innovation ecosystem, including the University of Bergen and VIS Innovation. Many Bergen patent attorneys combine local knowledge with international experience, providing both regional insight and global protection strategies. While Oslo firms may offer valuable services, the accessibility and regional expertise of Bergen-based attorneys create practical advantages for local businesses.

Bergen hosts several events where innovators can learn about IP protection:

1. Innovation Week Bergen (Innovasjonsuken) featuring IP workshops
2. University of Bergen innovation seminars on commercialization
3. Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) entrepreneurship programs with IP components
4. Bergen Chamber of Commerce business protection workshops
5. Technology Transfer Office educational sessions
6. Industry-specific conferences at venues like Grieghallen

These events typically feature presentations by IP lawyers from Bergen and provide networking opportunities. The intellectual-property.org events calendar lists upcoming IP education opportunities in the Bergen area.

For creative businesses in Bergen, copyright protection differs from other IP rights in several key aspects:

• Copyright automatically protects original works of authorship without the need for registration.
• Unlike patents and trademarks, copyright covers the expression of ideas rather than the ideas themselves.
• Copyright protection in Norway lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.
• Other forms of IP rights, like patents, require registration and examination processes which can limit access based on novelty and utility.
• Copyright does not need to be renewed, while patents must be maintained with periodic fees.

Understanding these differences allows creative entrepreneurs in Bergen to effectively leverage their intellectual assets.