German Corkscrews Protected by Law

Foreword by Peter Skopp Continuously research of backgrounds The hunt for collecting stamps, tin toys, or beer mats is a transmitted desire from generation to generation. There are many different ways to collect, but collectors don't really differ that much from other non-contemporary people. Both relax, develop, and communicate, some publicly in the foreground, others privately in the background. Dr. Ferdinand (Ferd.) Peters is among those people who combine both spheres. He researches continuously in the background, taking care to acquire examples, to investigate their essence and principles, and to trace their origins. Ferd is not satisfied with superficial answers. He seeks many explanations, goes to the roots, and is able to track relationships and to uncover the details. This intense spirit of investigation allows him to elucidate and expound on these collector's pieces. Ferd then emerges into the foreground and through his books and articles shares this hard-gathered information with other collectors. As a worldwide, highly appreciated author of several books on pocket corkscrews and pocket knives, mechanical corkscrews, and German patented and registered corkscrews, this economist and art historian shows readers his discoveries from his art-historical and economic perspective. He uses systematic and as complete as possible methods. These profound publications are a mirror of his passion. The Dutch man appreciates the functionality and design of the corkscrews. His thoughtful research enables us to date the objects, to determine their origin, the materials, the technical aspects, etc. What once was called a "bottle screw" is now a witness of past and present daily culture. His present book "German Corkscrews Protected by Law" is a new standard work. Wine lover Ferd. Peters first published a book on corkscrews in 1996. He is a member of many international corkscrew collectors clubs, including the International Correspondence of Corkscrew Addicts, which enable him to exchange knowledge and experience. He and his wife Mariet were formerly antique dealers who had already started collecting in the 1970s. Protection by law in Germany There are four kinds of protection by law in Germany. A patent is granted for a technical invention that is new, a sufficient improvement, and commercial. From 1877 onwards, patents were granted for fifteen years and from 1936 onwards for eighteen years in the German Empire. At the moment patents are granted for twenty years. A registered design (Gebrauchsmuster) is granted for various technical inventions with the exception of a production process. For this limited protection, a less significant technical improvement is required than for a patent. A registered design was granted from 1891 onwards for three years and today for ten years. A design patent (Geschmacksmuster) is granted for the appearance, the aesthetics, rather than for the function. The protection lasts according to the new Geschmacksmuster law twenty-five years. With a trademark, one can protect his logos, words, and color combinations to distinguish his goods or services from his competitors. The protection lasts ten years.