Anmelder (auch deutsche Staatsangehörige), die in Deutschland weder einen Wohnsitz noch einen (Geschäfts-) Sitz oder eine Niederlassung haben, müssen sich zwingend von einem im Inland zugelassenen Rechts- oder Patentanwalt vertreten lassen (§ 96 Abs. 1 MarkenG). Applicants who have neither a residence nor a principal place of business nor an establishment in Germany – even German nationals – must appoint a patent attorney or lawyer as a domestic representative. Lawyers or patent attorneys from the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland are admitted as domestic representatives provided that they are authorised to represent clients in procedures before the Patent Office.