Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition: A History of Legal Excellence
The landscape of global intellectual property and competition law has been profoundly shaped by the research and academic leadership of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition. From its humble beginnings as a specialized school of law to its current status as a world-leading research center, the institute has consistently evolved to meet the challenges of a changing international economic regime.
Foundations and Early Growth
The journey began in 1952 with the establishment of the Institute for Foreign and International Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Law at LMU Munich. Under the guidance of its first director, Eduard Reimer—who also served as the president of the German Patent Office—the institute rapidly gained international prestige.
Following Reimer, Eugen Ulmer led the institution for several decades, focusing heavily on the expansion of competition law and national and international copyright. This growth culminated in 1966 when Ulmer founded the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Patent, Copyright and Competition Law.
During the subsequent years, directors such as Friedrich-Karl Beier and Gerhard Schricker expanded the institute's influence. Their work focused on comparative law—the study of differences and similarities between the laws of different countries—specifically regarding the European harmonization of trademark, design, and copyright laws, as well as the patentability of biotechnological inventions.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Modernization and Diversification
The turn of the millennium brought a period of significant modernization. In 2002, the institute updated its facilities and personnel. Joseph Straus, who became director in 2001, was joined by Josef Drexl, Reto M. Hilty, and Wolfgang Schön.
To better address the complexities of the international economic regime, a new department for "Accounting and Taxes" was added on July 1, 2002. This unit focused on the taxation of companies and capital market information, integrating these financial elements into the broader study of competition law.
The Munich Intellectual Property Law Center (MIPLC)
Also in 2002, the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center (MIPLC) was established. While managed as an independent department of the institute, it operates through a partnership between the Max Planck Society, the University of Augsburg, the Technical University of Munich, and the George Washington Law School in Washington D.C. Since 2003, the MIPLC has offered an internationally networked LLM (Master of Laws) degree taught in English, attracting students from all five continents.
Structural Evolution and Specialization
In 2009, the appointment of Kai A. Konrad led to the creation of the Department of Public Economics. This department analyzes the functioning of government, the scope of state authority, and the mechanisms of levying taxes to fund the core tasks of a modern nation-state.
As the scope of research grew, the organization underwent a strategic split in January 2011. The original entity became two distinct institutes: the Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property and Competition Law and the MPI for Tax Law and Public Finance. These two entities, along with the MPI for Foreign and International Social Law, formed the Munich Max Planck Campus for Legal and Economic Research.
The institute continued to evolve in 2013, adding an economic science department led by Prof. Dietmar Harhoff and officially renaming itself the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition.
Looking toward the future, the institute is scheduled to relocate to new premises at Herzog-Max-Str. 4, near Karlsplatz/Stachus, in May 2025.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1952 (originally as a school of law at LMU Munich).
- Core Focus: Intellectual property, competition law, and innovation.
- Key Partnership: Co-founder of the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center (MIPLC).
- Academic Offering: An internationally networked LLM degree conducted in English.
- Recent Milestone: Renamed to the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition in 2013.
- Upcoming Move: Relocating to Herzog-Max-Str. 4 in May 2025.
| Year | Event/Milestone | Key Figure(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Founded at LMU Munich | Eduard Reimer |
| 1966 | Established as a Max Planck Institute | Eugen Ulmer |
| 2002 | Founded MIPLC and added Accounting/Taxes dept. | Joseph Straus, Josef Drexl, et al. |
| 2009 | Added Department of Public Economics | Kai A. Konrad |
| 2011 | Split into two specialized institutes | Josef Drexl, Reto M. Hilty, et al. |
| 2013 | Renamed to MPI for Innovation and Competition | Prof. Dietmar Harhoff |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the institute first established?
The institute was founded in 1952 as the Institute for Foreign and International Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Law at LMU Munich.
What is the MIPLC?
The Munich Intellectual Property Law Center (MIPLC) is an independent department of the institute that provides research and teaching, including an English-language LLM degree in partnership with several universities.
Why was the institute split in 2011?
The institute was split to create two more specialized entities: one focusing on Intellectual Property and Competition Law, and the other on Tax Law and Public Finance.
What is the current name of the institute?
Since 2013, the institute has been known as the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition.
Where will the institute be located in 2025?
In May 2025, the institute will move to new premises located at Herzog-Max-Str. 4, next to Karlsplatz/Stachus.