1. Data protection at a glance

General information

The following information provides an outline of how we protect and use your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data is any data by which you can be personally identified. For detailed information on the subject of data protection, please refer to our Privacy Policy below this text.

Data collection on this website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website?

Data processing on this website is conducted by the website operator. You can find the contact details of the website operator in the section “Information on the responsible party” in this Privacy Policy.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected when you provide it to us. This may be data that you enter into a contact form, for example.

Other data is automatically collected by our IT systems or after you have given consent when you visit the website. This is mainly technical data (e.g. web browser, operating system or time of page view). The collection of this data takes place automatically as soon as you visit this website.

How we use your data

Some of the data is collected to ensure error-free provision of the website. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior.

What are your rights with respect to your data?

You have the right to receive information free of charge about the origin, recipient and purpose of your stored personal data at any time. You also have the right to request the rectification or erasure of this data. If you have given your consent to data processing, you can revoke this consent at any time for the future. You also have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

Third-party analytics and tools

When visiting this website, your surfing behavior can be statistically evaluated. This is done mainly with so-called analytics programs.

Detailed information about these analytics programs can be found in the Privacy Policy.

2. Hosting

We host the content of our website with the following provider:

External hosting

This website is hosted externally. The personal data collected on this website is stored on the servers of the hosting service(s). This may include, but is not limited to, IP addresses, contact requests, meta and communication data, contract data, contact details, names, website accesses and other data generated via a website.

External hosting is conducted for the purpose of contract fulfillment with respect to our potential and existing customers (Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR) and in the interest of a secure, fast and efficient provision of our online service by a professional provider (Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR). Insofar as corresponding consent has been requested, the processing is conducted exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG (German Telecommunications-Telemedia Data Protection Act, abbreviated in German to TTDSG), insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

Our hosting service(s) will process your data only to the extent necessary to fulfill its performance obligations and follow our instructions with respect to such data.

We use the following hosting service:

Continum AG

Bismarckallee 17

79098 Freiburg im Breisgau

Data processing

We have concluded a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract required by data protection law to ensure that the personal data of our website visitors is processed only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General information and mandatory information

Data protection

The operators of this website take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations and this Privacy Policy.

When you use this website, various personal data are collected. Personal data is data with which you can be personally identified. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.

Please note that data transmission on the Internet (e.g. when communicating by e-mail) can have security gaps. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

Information on the responsible party (controller)

The responsible party (controller) for data processing on this website is:

Epping Hermann Fischer Patentanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Schloßschmidstraße 5

80639 Munich

Germany

Phone: 089 500 329 0

E-mail: info@ehf-ip.com

The controller is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data (e.g. names, e-mail addresses, etc.).

Retention period

As far as no retention period has been specified in this Privacy Policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for data processing ceases to apply. If you assert a legitimate request for erasure or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be erased unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (e.g. retention periods under tax or commercial law); in the latter case, the data will be erased once these reasons no longer apply.

General information on the legal basis for data processing on this website

If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6 (1) a GDPR or Art. 9 (2) a GDPR, if special categories of data are processed according to Art. 9 (1) GDPR. In the case of express consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, the data processing is also based on Art. 49 (1) a GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or to the access to information in your end device (e.g. via device fingerprinting), the data processing is additionally conducted on the basis of § 25 (1) TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is required for the performance of a contract or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, we process your data on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR. Furthermore, if your data is required for the fulfillment of a legal obligation, we process it on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR. Furthermore, data processing may be conducted on the basis of our legitimate interest according to Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. Information about the relevant legal basis in each individual case is provided in the following paragraphs of this Privacy Policy.

Data Protection Officer

As data protection officer we have appointed:

SECUWING GmbH & Co KG | Data Protection Agency

Maximilian Hartung

Frauentorstraße 9,

86152 Augsburg

Phone: +49 821 90786450

E-mail: epost@datenschutz-agentur.de

Information on data transfer to the USA and other third countries

Among others, we use tools from companies based in the USA or other third countries that are not secure under data protection law. If these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to these third countries and processed there. Please note that no level of data protection comparable to that of the EU can be guaranteed in these countries. For example, US companies are obliged to hand over personal data to security authorities without you as a data subject being able to take legal action against this. Therefore it cannot be ruled out that US authorities (e.g. intelligence services) process, evaluate and permanently store your data located on US servers for monitoring purposes. We have no influence on these processing activities.

Revocation of your consent to data processing

Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You can revoke consent you have already given at any time. The legality of the data processing conducted up to the time of revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

Right to object to data collection in special cases and to object to direct marketing (Art. 21 GDPR)

IF DATA PROCESSING IS CONDUCTED ON THE BASIS OF ART. 6 (1) LIT. E OR F GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA AT ANY TIME FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. THE RESPECTIVE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED CAN BE FOUND IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU LODGE AN OBJECTION, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING WHICH OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, OR THE PROCESSING SERVES TO ASSERT, EXERCISE OR DEFEND LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION UNDER ARTICLE 21 (1) GDPR).

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT MARKETING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH MARKETING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING INSOFAR AS IT IS CONNECTED WITH SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NO LONGER BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT MARKETING (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 21 (2) GDPR).

Right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects are entitled to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, their place of work or the place of the alleged violation. The right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to other administrative or judicial remedies.

Right to data portability

You have the right to have data that we process automatically on the basis of your consent, or in fulfillment of a contract, transmitted to you or to a third party in a commonly used, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of data to another controller, this will only be done insofar as it is technically feasible.

Information, erasure and rectification

Within the framework of the applicable legal provisions, you have the right to obtain information free of charge at any time about your stored personal data, its source and recipients and the purpose of data processing and, if necessary, a right to rectification or erasure of this data. You can contact us at any time for this purpose, as well as for further questions on the subject of personal data.

Right to restriction of processing

You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. For this purpose, you can contact us at any time. The right to restriction of processing exists in the following cases:

• If you contest the accuracy of your personal data stored with us, we will usually need some time to verify this. For the duration of this investigation, you have the right to request the restriction of processing of your personal data.
• If the processing of your personal data was/is conducted unlawfully, you may request the restriction of processing of your data instead of its erasure.
• If we no longer need your personal data, but it is required by you for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of processing of your data instead of its erasure.
• If you have lodged an objection under Art. 21(1) GDPR, a consideration of your interests and our interests must be made. As long as it has not yet been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request restriction of the processing of your personal data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, this data may – apart from being stored – only be processed with your consent or for the assertion, exercise or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of an important public interest of the European Union or a Member State.

SSL or TLS encryption

This website uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or requests that you submit to us as the website operator. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the address line of the browser switches from “http://” to “https://” and by the lock icon in your browser line.

If SSL or TLS encryption is activated, data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.

4. Data collection on this website

Cookies

Our website uses so-called “cookies”. Cookies are small data packets and do not cause any damage to your end device. They are stored either temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (permanent cookies) on your end device. Session cookies are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your end device until you delete them yourself or until they are automatically deleted by your web browser.

Cookies can originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (so-called third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain services of third-party companies within websites (e.g. cookies for processing payment services).

Cookies have various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary, as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g. the shopping cart function or the display of videos). Other cookies can be used to evaluate user behavior or for advertising purposes.

Cookies that are necessary to carry out the electronic communication process, to provide certain functions that you have requested (e.g. for the shopping cart function) or to optimize the website (e.g. cookies to measure the web audience) (necessary cookies) are stored on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent to the storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies has been requested, the processing is based exclusively on this consent (Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG). This consent can be revoked at any time.

You can set your browser so that you are informed about the setting of cookies and only allow cookies in individual cases, exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general and activate the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

You can find out which cookies and services are used on this website in this Privacy Policy.

Consent with Complianz

Our website uses consent technology by Complianz to obtain your consent to store certain cookies on your end device or to use certain technologies and to document them in compliance with data protection regulations. The provider of this technology is Complianz B.V., Kalmarweg 14-5, 9723 JG Groningen, The Netherlands (hereinafter “Complianz”).

Complianz is hosted on our servers, so no connection to the servers of the provider of Complianz is established. Complianz stores a cookie in your browser in order to be able to assign the consents granted, or their revocation, to you. Data collected in this way is stored until you request us to delete it, delete the Complianz cookie yourself or until the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Mandatory statutory retention obligations remain unaffected.

Complianz is used to obtain the legally required consent for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR.

Server log files

The provider of the website automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser automatically transmits to us. These are:

– browser type and version

– operating system used

– referrer URL

– host name of the accessing computer

– time of the server request

– IP address

This data is not merged with other data sources.

The collection of this data is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically error-free presentation and optimization of its website – the server log files must be collected for this purpose.

Inquiries by e-mail, phone or fax

If you contact us by e-mail, telephone or fax, your inquiry including all resulting personal data (name, inquiry) will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of processing your request. We will not pass on this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR if your request is related to the performance of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of requests addressed to us (Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR) if this has been requested. This consent can be revoked at any time.

Data you send to us via contact inquiries will remain with us until you ask us to erase such data, revoke your consent for storage or if the purpose for which the data was stored no longer applies (e.g. after your inquiry has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions – in particular statutory retention periods – remain unaffected.

5. Analysis tools and advertising

Google Tag Manager

We use the Google Tag Manager. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Tag Manager is a tool that allows us to embed tracking or statistical tools and other technologies on our website. The Google Tag Manager itself does not create user profiles, does not store cookies and does not perform any independent analyses. It only serves to manage and play out the integrated tools. However, the Google Tag Manager collects your IP address, which may also be transferred to Google’s parent company in the United States.

The use of the Google Tag Manager is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in a fast and uncomplicated integration and management of various tools on their website. If corresponding consent has been requested, processing is conducted exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

Google Analytics

This website uses functions of the web analytics service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics enables the website operator to analyze the behavior of website visitors. In doing so, the website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, dwell time, operating systems used and the origin of the user. This data is assigned to the respective end device of the user. An assignment to a user ID does not take place.

Furthermore, Google Analytics allows us to record your mouse and scroll movements and clicks, among other things. Furthermore, Google Analytics uses various modeling approaches to supplement the collected data sets and uses machine learning technologies in data analysis.

Google Analytics uses technologies that enable the recognition of the user for the purpose of analyzing user behavior (e.g. cookies or device fingerprinting). The information collected by Google about the use of this website is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/controllerterms/mccs/.

Matomo

Opt-out complete; your visits to this website will not be recorded by the Web Analytics tool. Note that if you clear your cookies, delete the opt-out cookie, or if you change computers or Web browsers, you will need to perform the opt-out procedure again.

You may choose to prevent this website from aggregating and analyzing the actions you take here. Doing so will protect your privacy, but will also prevent the owner from learning from your actions and creating a better experience for you and other users.

The tracking opt-out feature requires cookies to be enabled.

Browser plugin

You can prevent the collection and processing of your data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

For more information on how Google Analytics handles user data, please see Google’s Privacy Policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en.

Data processing

We have concluded a Data Processing Agreement with Google and fully implement the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.

6. Plugins and tools

Google Fonts

This site uses so-called Google Fonts, which are provided by Google, for the uniform display of fonts. When you open a page, your browser loads the required fonts into its browser cache in order to display texts and fonts correctly.

For this purpose, the browser you use must connect to Google’s servers. This informs Google that this website has been accessed via your IP address. The use of Google Fonts is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the uniform presentation of the typeface on its website. If corresponding consent has been requested, the processing is conducted exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

If your browser does not support Google Fonts, a default font is used by your computer.

For more information on Google Fonts, please visit https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and see Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en

Monotype Fonts

We use so-called web fonts for the uniform display of fonts, which are provided by Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. with headquarters at 600 Unicorn Park Drive, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 USA (“Monotype”).

When you access our website, which contains a web font tracking script or similar technology, we collect the following data to allow Monotype to identify the licensee and the licensed web fonts: the project identification number of the web font (anonymized) and the URL of the licensed website linked to a customer number. When you access our website, which contains our web font tracking script or similar technology, we do not transmit the requesting IP address, only the anonymous IP 0.0.0.0 to Monotype. No personal data of the website user is collected or processed.

You can find Monotype’s Privacy Policy at:

https://www.monotype.com/legal/privacy-policy

For data protection information on font tracking, see:

https://www.monotype.com/legal/privacy-policy/web-font-tracking-privacy-policy

Google reCAPTCHA

We use “Google reCAPTCHA” (hereinafter “reCAPTCHA”) on this website. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

reCAPTCHA is used to check whether a data entry on this website (e.g. in a contact form) is made by a human or by an automated program. For this purpose, reCAPTCHA analyzes the behavior of the website visitor based on various characteristics. As soon as the website visitor enters the website this analysis starts automatically. For the analysis, reCAPTCHA evaluates various information (e.g. IP address, dwell time of the website visitor on the website or mouse movements made by the user). The data collected during the analysis is forwarded to Google.

The reCAPTCHA analyses run completely in the background. Website visitors are not notified that an analysis is taking place.

The storage and analysis of the data is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in protecting its web services from abusive automated spying and from SPAM. If corresponding consent has been requested, the processing is conducted exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

For more information about Google reCAPTCHA, please see the Google Privacy Policy and the Google Terms of Service at the following links: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en and https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en.

7. Social media

LinkedIn Events

We use the tool “LinkedIn” to give you the opportunity to participate in our online events. The service is operated by Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.

When we create an account for the organization on LinkedIn or provide personal information as a user during account creation, LinkedIn takes responsibility for that data. This means that LinkedIn is the responsible party for the protection and processing of your personal information.

LinkedIn is also responsible for the personal data provided directly by you as a user. Further, LinkedIn is responsible for the personal data collected through the use of the LinkedIn services by an organizer or user. This data may be used for research and analysis purposes, to improve LinkedIn products and features, and to provide personalized recommendations.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: EU, EEA, and Swiss data transfers | LinkedIn Help

For more information, please see LinkedIn’s Privacy Policy at: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.

8. 8. Internal services

Handling of applicant data

We offer you the opportunity to submit an application to join us (e.g. by e-mail, by post or via an online application form). In the following, we inform you about the scope, purpose and use of your personal data collected as part of the application process. We assure you that the collection, processing and use of your data will be conducted in accordance with applicable data protection law and all other statutory provisions and that your data will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Scope and purpose of data collection

If you submit an application to us, we will process your associated personal data (e.g. contact and communication data, application documents, notes taken during interviews, etc.) insofar as this is necessary to decide on the establishment of an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is Section 26 BDSG under German law (initiation of an employment relationship), Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR (general contract initiation) and – if you have given your consent – Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. This consent can be revoked at any time. Within our company, your personal data will only be passed on to persons who are involved in processing your application. The legal basis for this is § 26 of the German Federal Data Protection Act- (BDSG) under German law (initiation of an employment relationship), Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR (general contract initiation) and – if you have given your consent – Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. Consent may be revoked at any time. Within our company, your personal data will only be passed on to persons involved in the processing of your application.

If your application is successful, the data submitted by you will be stored in our data processing systems on the basis of Section 26 BDSG and Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR for the purpose of implementing the employment relationship.

Data retention period

If we are unable to make you a job offer, if you reject a job offer, or if you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you have provided on the basis of our legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR) for up to 6 months from the end of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application). The data will then be erased and the physical application documents destroyed. This storage serves in particular as evidence in the event of a legal dispute. If it is evident that the data will be required after the 6-month period has expired (e.g. due to an imminent or pending litigation), the data will not be erased until the purpose for further retention no longer applies.

A longer retention can also take place if you have given corresponding consent (Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR) or if statutory retention obligations conflict with erasure.

Please note the current version date of this privacy policy: July 2023