Application process via ZGR-online

After logging into the Customs Portal and accessing the IT application ZGR-online via the "Industrial property" service, you can submit applications for detention of goods at the border entirely via electronic means to the ZGR (Central Industrial Property Office). It is not necessary to additionally send a signed application form or email a pdf file. The further examination and processing of your applications by the ZGR (Central Industrial Property Office) is also handled exclusively via ZGR-online, which enables fast and efficient application processing.

The electronic filing of applications via ZGR-online covers all types of applications in industrial property matters. All applications based on Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 as well as German legislation can be submitted. This is not limited to the first filing of an application, but also includes the amendment of applications already filed, their renewal, but also the amendment of additional information necessary for the detection of industrial property infringing goods, such as product notices or information for a risk analysis.

You must log in to the Customs Portal with your ELSTER certificate to do this.

In order to facilitate the submission of applications, data entry is done through input screens, which allow the necessary data to be collected in a structured way. Documents such as authorisations or rights of use may also be made available directly via ZGR-online.

You can submit the following applications via ZGR-online:

• Union application pursuant to Article 3(1) or (3) in conjunction with Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 608/2013
• National application pursuant to Article 3 No. 1 or No. 2 of Regulation (EU) No. 608/2013
• Application pursuant to German legislation (e.g. section 146 German Trade Mark Act (Markengesetz))

More information on each type of application can be found here:

Application for Customs action

Once your application has been approved, all application data is available and searchable "at the touch of a button" in the internal customs information system for all customs offices. This information system has powerful research functions, allowing quick access to data and significantly facilitating targeted controls.

Communication with you is also fundamentally digital. For example, customs notices are made available electronically for retrieval via your account in the Customs Portal during the application procedure and in the context of interceptions. You need to activate this function in your account settings in the Customs Portal.

News about your applications (e.g. messages on the status of authorisation or on the transfer of data) can be consulted at the inbox of your Customs Portal account. These messages are automatically generated by the ZGR-online system.

COPIS

By Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, the Commission makes the information platform COPIS (= Anti-Counterfeit and anti-Piracy Information System) available to the customs authorities of the Member States. Through this system, the customs authorities of all member states are linked together and exchange with each other necessary information such as decisions granting an application.

ZGR-online is directly linked to COPIS via an interface and thus connected to the Commission's system. All applications and application information recorded in ZGR-online in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 are automatically and immediately transferred to COPIS. Likewise, the application data of applications approved in other Member States, which involve action by the German customs authorities, are made available in ZGR-online via COPIS.

Data security

Your data is in safe hands in ZGR-online.

This is guaranteed by

• secure connections through HTTPS and SSL encryption
• timeout function that automatically disconnects you from the online connection if you have not carried out online activities for more than one hour
• use of state-of-the-art firewalls
• exclusive use of software and programming languages that is classified as safe according to the current state of the art

Within the customs administration, your data can only be viewed by authorised personnel. The data will only be used for internal purposes for the enforcement of your intellectual property rights. It is not technically possible to pass it on to non-administrative third parties.