Privacy at a Glance

 1. General Information

The following notes provide a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data is any data that can be used to personally identify you. For detailed information on the topic of data protection, please refer to our privacy policy set out below.

Data Collection on This Website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website?

Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find the operator’s contact details in the section “Information on the Controller” in this privacy policy.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected in part by you providing it to us. This may, for example, be data you enter in a contact form.

Other data is collected automatically or with your consent when you visit the website by our IT systems. This is primarily technical data (e.g. internet browser, operating system, or time of page view). This data is collected automatically as soon as you enter this website.

What do we use your data for?

Part of the data is collected to ensure the website is provided without errors. Other data may be used to analyse your user behaviour.

What rights do you have regarding your data?

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

For this and other questions on the topic of data protection, you can contact us at any time.

Analysis Tools and Third-Party Tools

When visiting this website, your browsing behaviour may be statistically analysed. This is done primarily using so-called analytics programs. Detailed information about these analytics programs can be found in this privacy policy below.

 2. Hosting

External Hosting

This website is hosted externally. The personal data collected on this website is stored on the servers of the hoster(s). This may include, in particular, 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 carried out for the purpose of fulfilling the contract with our potential and existing customers (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR) and in the interest of a secure, fast, and efficient provision of our online offering by a professional provider (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). Where appropriate consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG (German Telecommunications-Telemedia-Data-Protection-Act), insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s terminal device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of TDDDG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Our hoster(s) will process your data only to the extent necessary to fulfil their service obligations and will follow our instructions regarding this data.

We use the following hoster:

CONTINUUM AG Bismarckallee 17 79098 Freiburg

Data Processing Agreement

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract required under data protection law that ensures that the hoster processes the personal data of our website visitors only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General Information and Mandatory Disclosures

Data Protection

The operators of these pages take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.

When you use this website, various personal data is collected. Personal data is data that can be used to personally identify you. 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.

We point out that data transmission over the internet (e.g. when communicating by e-mail) may have security gaps. Complete protection of data from access by third parties is not possible.

Information on the Controller

The 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, decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data (e.g. names, e-mail addresses, etc.).

Retention Period

Unless a more specific retention period has been specified in this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for the data processing ceases to apply. If you assert a legitimate request for deletion or withdraw your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted, unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (e.g. tax or commercial law retention periods); in the latter case, deletion will take place after these reasons cease to 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 within the meaning of Art. 9(1) GDPR are processed. In the case of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, processing is also based on Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or access to information on your device (e.g. via device fingerprinting), data processing is additionally based on § 25(1) TDDDG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. If your data is required for the performance of a contract or to carry out pre-contractual measures, we process your data on the basis of Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if required to fulfil a legal obligation on the basis of Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR. Data processing may also take place on the basis of our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. Information on the relevant legal basis in each individual case is provided in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.

Data Protection Officer

We have appointed a data protection officer.

Datenschutz-Agentur.de Maximilian Hartung Frauentorstraße 9 86152 Augsburg

Phone: +49 821 90786450 E-Mail: epost@datenschutz-agentur.de

Note on Data Transfer to Third Countries That Are Not Data-Protection-Safe and Transfer to US Companies Not Certified under the DPF

We use, among other things, tools from companies based in third countries that are not considered data-protection-safe under EU law, as well as US tools whose providers are not certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). When these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to and processed in those countries. We point out that in third countries that are not considered data-protection-safe, a level of data protection comparable to the EU cannot be guaranteed.

We point out that the USA is generally considered a safe third country with a level of data protection comparable to the EU. A data transfer to the USA is therefore permissible if the recipient holds certification under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF) or has appropriate additional safeguards in place. Information on transfers to third countries, including data recipients, can be found in this privacy policy.

Recipients of Personal Data

In the course of our business activities, we work together with various external parties. In some cases, this also requires the transfer of personal data to those external parties. We only share personal data with external parties if this is required within the framework of contract fulfilment, if we are legally obliged to do so (e.g. transfer of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR in the transfer, or if another legal basis permits the data transfer. When using processors, we only share personal data of our customers on the basis of a valid data processing agreement. In the case of joint processing, a joint controller agreement is concluded.

Withdrawal of Your Consent to Data Processing

Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You can withdraw a consent already given at any time. The lawfulness of data processing carried out prior to the withdrawal is not affected.

Right to Object to Data Collection in Special Cases and to Direct Marketing (Art. 21 GDPR)

IF DATA PROCESSING IS CARRIED OUT ON THE BASIS OF ART. 6(1)(E) OR (F) GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO OBJECT, ON GROUNDS RELATING TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA; 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 OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR AFFECTED PERSONAL DATA UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING WHICH OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, OR THE PROCESSING IS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE OR DEFENCE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(1) GDPR).

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR SUCH MARKETING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(2) GDPR).

Right to Lodge a Complaint with the Competent Supervisory Authority

In the event of breaches of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement. The right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy. The supervisory authority responsible for Epping Hermann Fischer Patentanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is the Bayerisches Landesamt für Datenschutzaufsicht (BayLDA), Promenade 18, 91522 Ansbach (www.lda.bayern.de).

Right to Data Portability

You have the right to have data that we process automatically on the basis of your consent or in the performance of a contract handed over 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 to the extent that it is technically feasible.

Access, Rectification, and Erasure

Within the framework of the applicable legal provisions, you have the right at any time to receive free information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of the data processing and, if applicable, a right to rectification or erasure of this data. For this and other questions on the topic of personal data, you can contact us at any time.

Right to Restriction of Processing

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

• If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored with us, we generally need time to verify this. For the duration of the review, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.
• If the processing of your personal data was/is carried out unlawfully, you can request the restriction of data processing instead of deletion.
• If we no longer need your personal data but you need it to exercise, defend, or assert legal claims, you have the right to request restriction of processing of your personal data instead of erasure.
• If you have filed an objection pursuant to Art. 21(1) GDPR, a balance must be struck between your interests and ours. As long as it has not yet been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.

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

SSL/TLS Encryption

This site uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or enquiries you send to us as the site operator. You can recognise an encrypted connection by the fact that the address line of the browser changes from “http://” to “https://” and by the padlock symbol in your browser line.

If SSL or TLS encryption is activated, the 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 packages that do not cause any damage to your device. They are stored either temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently on your device (permanent cookies). Session cookies are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or they are automatically deleted by your web browser.

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

Cookies have different functions. Numerous 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 may be used to evaluate user behaviour or for advertising purposes.

Cookies that are necessary for the execution of the electronic communication process, for the provision of certain functions you have requested (e.g. for the shopping cart function), or for the optimisation of the website (e.g. cookies to measure web audiences) (necessary cookies) are stored on the basis of Art. 6(1)(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 optimised provision of its services. Where consent to the storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG); consent can be withdrawn at any time.

You can set your browser to inform you about the setting of cookies and only allow cookies in individual cases, to exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general, and to activate automatic deletion of cookies when the browser is closed. If cookies are deactivated, the functionality of this website may be restricted.

You can find out which cookies and services are used on this website in this privacy policy.

Consent via Complianz

Our website uses the Complianz consent technology to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies on your device or to the use of certain technologies, and to document this in a data-protection-compliant manner. The provider of this technology is Complianz B.V., Kalmarweg 14-5, 9723 JG Groningen, Netherlands (hereinafter “Complianz”).

Complianz is hosted on our own servers, so no connection to the Complianz provider’s servers is established. Complianz stores a cookie in your browser in order to be able to assign the consents you have given or their revocation to you. The data collected in this way is stored until you request us to delete it, you delete the Complianz cookie yourself, or the purpose for data storage ceases to apply. Mandatory statutory retention obligations remain unaffected. The consent records are retained for up to three years for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with the obligation to document consent pursuant to Art. 5(2) GDPR.

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

Server Log Files

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

• Browser type and browser version
• Operating system used
• Referrer URL
• Hostname of the accessing computer
• Time of the server request
• IP address

This data is not merged with other data sources. This data is collected on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically error-free presentation and optimisation of its website — for this purpose the server log files must be recorded.

Contact Form

If you send us enquiries via the contact form, your details from the enquiry form, including the contact details you provided there, will be stored with us for the purpose of processing the enquiry and in the event of follow-up questions. We do not share this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR if your enquiry relates 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 the enquiries directed to us (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) if this has been requested; consent can be withdrawn at any time.

The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request us to delete it, you withdraw your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage ceases to apply (e.g. after the processing of your enquiry has been completed). Mandatory statutory provisions — in particular retention periods — remain unaffected.

Enquiry by E-Mail, Telephone, or Fax

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

The processing of this data is based on Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR if your enquiry relates 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 the enquiries directed to us (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) if this has been requested; consent can be withdrawn at any time.

The data you send us via contact requests will remain with us until you request us to delete it, you withdraw your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage ceases to apply (e.g. after your request has been fully processed). Mandatory statutory provisions — in particular statutory retention periods — remain unaffected.

5. Social Media

LinkedIn

This website uses elements of the LinkedIn network. The provider is LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Every time a page of this website that contains elements of LinkedIn is accessed, a connection to LinkedIn’s servers is established. LinkedIn is informed that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you click the LinkedIn “Recommend” button and are logged into your LinkedIn account, it is possible for LinkedIn to associate your visit to this website with you and your user account. We point out that, as the provider of the pages, we have no knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or its use by LinkedIn.

This service is used on the basis of your consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: Data transfer from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

Further information can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy policy at: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

6. Analytics and Advertising

Google Tag Manager

We use 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 integrate tracking or statistics tools and other technologies on our website. Google Tag Manager itself does not create user profiles, does not store cookies, and does not carry out any independent analyses. It is only used to manage and display the tools integrated via it. However, Google Tag Manager collects your IP address, which may also be transmitted to Google’s parent company in the United States.

Google Tag Manager is used on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the quick and uncomplicated integration and management of various tools on its website. Where appropriate consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of TDDDG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

The company holds certification under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA that is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information can be obtained from the provider at: DPF Participant Detail

Matomo

This website uses the open-source web analytics service Matomo.

With Matomo, we are able to collect and analyse data about the use of our website by website visitors. This allows us to find out, among other things, when which page views were made and from which region they come. We also collect various log files (e.g. IP address, referrer, browsers and operating systems used) and can measure whether our website visitors carry out certain actions (e.g. clicks, purchases, etc.).

This analytics tool is used on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analysing user behaviour in order to optimise both its web offering and its advertising. Where appropriate consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of TDDDG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

IP Anonymisation

When analysing with Matomo, we use IP anonymisation. Your IP address is shortened before analysis so that it is no longer clearly attributable to you.

Hosting

We host Matomo exclusively on our own servers, so all analytics data remains with us and is not shared.

7. Plugins and Tools

YouTube with Enhanced Data Protection

This website embeds videos from the website YouTube. The operator of the website is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

When you visit one of our pages on which YouTube is embedded, a connection to YouTube’s servers is established. In doing so, the YouTube server is informed which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged in to your YouTube account, you allow YouTube to associate your browsing behaviour directly with your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account.

We use YouTube in extended data protection mode. According to YouTube, videos played in extended data protection mode are not used to personalise browsing on YouTube. Advertisements displayed in extended data protection mode are also not personalised. In extended data protection mode, no cookies are set. Instead, so-called local storage elements are stored in the user’s browser, which, like cookies, contain personal data and can be used for recognition. Details on extended data protection mode can be found here:

Details on extended data protection mode can be found here: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780

Further data processing operations may be triggered after activating a YouTube video, over which we have no influence.

YouTube is used in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offerings. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. Where appropriate consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device within the meaning of TDDDG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Further information on data protection at YouTube can be found in their privacy policy at: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en

The company holds certification under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). Further information can be obtained from the provider at: DPF Participant Detail

8. Our Own Services

Handling Applicant Data

We offer you the opportunity to apply to 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 is carried out in accordance with applicable data protection law and all other statutory provisions and that your data will be treated strictly confidentially.

Scope and Purpose of Data Collection

If you send us an application, we process the personal data associated with it (e.g. contact and communication data, application documents, notes taken during job interviews, etc.) to the extent necessary for a decision on the establishment of an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is § 26 BDSG under German law (initiation of an employment relationship) in conjunction with Art. 88 GDPR and Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (general contract initiation) and — insofar as you have given consent — Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Your personal data will only be passed on within our company to persons who are involved in processing your application.

Where necessary for filling the position, we may additionally process publicly available information about you, for example from professional networks such as LinkedIn or XING.

If we process personal data from sources other than your application, we will inform you separately pursuant to Art. 14 GDPR.

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

Where special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9(1) GDPR are processed in the course of the application procedure (e.g. information on severe disability pursuant to § 164 SGB IX), this is done on the basis of Art. 9(2)(b) GDPR in conjunction with § 26(3) BDSG, insofar as this is necessary for the exercise of rights or the fulfilment of legal obligations under employment law. Beyond this, such data is only processed on the basis of your explicit consent pursuant to Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR.

Retention Period for Data

If we are unable to make you a job offer, you reject a job offer, or you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you have submitted on the basis of our legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(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 deleted and physical application documents will be destroyed. Retention serves in particular as evidence in the event of a legal dispute. If it is apparent that the data will be required after the expiry of the 6-month period (e.g. due to an imminent or pending legal dispute), deletion will only take place when the purpose for further retention ceases to apply.

Longer retention may also take place if you have given appropriate consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) or if statutory retention obligations preclude deletion. If you have consented to the inclusion of your data in our applicant pool, we will store your data for this purpose for a maximum of two years from the time consent was given.

Automated Decision-Making

No automated decision-making including profiling within the meaning of Art. 22 GDPR takes place in the context of the application process.