Its members include German and foreign individuals - lawyers, patent attorneys, judges, academics, professors, as well as enterprises, associations of enterprises and their respective staff members and representatives. Staff members of the German and European trademark and patent authorities and of the international organisations competent for the protection of intellectual property are also among the members. The purpose of the Association according to its statutes is the academic advancement and development of industrial property and copyright law at the German, European and international level, i.e. in the field of law today called "intellectual property law."

Therefore, GRUR discusses issues of intellectual property protection at annual meetings, monthly events at the regional groups and in academic publications, thus contributing to the academic discussion and further development of this area of law, while at the same time enhancing the knowledge of its members. Assistance provided to the national, European and international legislative bodies and to the authorities competent for issues of intellectual property protection remains a major part of the activities. In contact with national and international associations and organisations devoted to the same or a similar subject matter, GRUR regularly participates in the discussion of current issues and developments in the field of intellectual property.

GRUR does not pursue personal, professional or commercial interests, but exclusively and directly academic objectives of a non-profit nature.