When German students write their final thesis with a company, the thesis often carries a Sperrvermerk, a blocking notice. A standard form from the Technische Hochschule Brandenburg, a university of applied sciences, reads: Dieses Schriftstück enthält vertrauliche Informationen. “This document contains confidential information.” The thesis may not be copied or made public, and may be read only for the purpose of the examination. The duty of confidentiality can continue for up to two years after the agreement ends.