Annual Technical Report 2013 on Industrial Design Information Activities submitted by Czech Republic (CWS/ATR/ID/2013/CZ)
Where URLs are requested below, it is preferred that either URLs which are likely to remain stable over time (three years or more) are provided, or home (main) page URLs are provided with a short explanation of how to access the corresponding information.
The expression "industrial designs" covers industrial designs and models. Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in this series of Annual Technical Reports.
I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants (registrations) with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes
1.4.1 Changes experienced in terms of application filings and grants (registrations) with respect to the previous year
Compared to 2012, there were changes in industrial design activities as follows:
2013 Compared to 2012 (in%)
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National design application 441 + 2,3 % (431)
– submitted by domestic applicants 420 + 0,7 % (417)
– submitted by foreign applicants 21 + 50 % (14)
– number of designs contained 1309 + 10 % (1183)
Designs registrations 382 + 60 % (239)
– domestic applicants 368 + 56 % (236)
– foreign applicants 14 + 466 % (3)
– number of designs contained 1133 + 169 % (671)
1.4.2 Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
Since 2008, progression of the number of industrial design applications has a sinusoidal character with amplitudes from 305 (min) to 457 (max). The number of design patterns contained in these applications has also a sinusoidal character with period of 4 – 5 years and with average values about 1250 design pattern. Concerning amount of registered industrial designs, there is a substantial increase – approximately 60 % compared to 2012. The increase of designs contained in registrations has increased even more – by 169 %, compared to 2012.
Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.
1.5.1 Statistics
Since 2000 the Annual Reports and statistics have been available at the Office’s website:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/annual-report/annual-report.html
The Bulletin: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html
1.5.2 The Office website
The helpdesk mailto: helpdesk@upv.cz
List of news and events
http://www.upv.cz/en/ipo/current-news/actual.html
Electronic filing of industrial design applications:
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/on-line-filing.html
Element of proceedings:
http://isdv.upv.cz/portal/pls/portal/portlets.rejst.formular?lan=en
Legislation related to all IP rights
http://www.upv.cz/en/legislation.html
FAQ
http://www.upv.cz/en/information-sources/faq.html
Search service – industrial design database (IPO, WIPO, OHIM) (basic search/advanced search):
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/industrial-design-databases.html
Use of an electronic classification system to check the International classification for industrial designs:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--industrial-designs.html
II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) – URLs
The Office website http://www.upv.cz/en.html is rich source of information.
Electronic filing of industrial design applications:
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/on-line-filing.html
Element of proceedings:
http://isdv.upv.cz/portal/pls/portal/portlets.rejst.formular?lan=en
Search service:
http://upv.cz/en/client-services/information-services/search-services.html
Fees and payments:
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/fees.html
Information on business procedure related to industrial designs:
http://upv.cz/en/ip-rights/industrial-designs.html
Information on Services:
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/information-services.html
Publications:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications.html
Industrial design databases:
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/industrial-design-databases.html
Industrial classification system:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--industrial-designs.html
Availability of the application dossier in electronic form
Application documents and forms are available at: http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/forms.html
Classification and reclassification activities; classification system used, e.g., International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification), other classification
The 10th edition of the Locarno Classification has been used since January 1, 2014; The Office reclassified all registered designs according to this latest edition.
1.3.1 Bibliographic data and processing
Registered and published designs are searchable by proprietor as well as the former proprietor, designer, by date of filing, registration and publication, by number of application and registration, and by indication of the product, legal status and the Locarno class and subclass.
III. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE
Main types of publications in the field of industrial design information, outline of the content (industrial design applications, design patents, registrations, etc.) and medium (on paper, on CDs, online – URLs)
Office notices are published weekly in the electronic Official Bulletin of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic. Notices are also published at the Office’s website.
Mass storage media used are hard discs, magnetic tapes for backup and paper.
Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URL), etc.
1.2.1 Publishing, including printing, copying techniques and electronic printing
Lists of designs which have been registered, renewed, corrected, or which have requested restoration are published weekly in the Official Bulletin of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic. Since 2007 an electronic weekly (updated on Wednesdays) bulletin has been published at the Office´s web site (http://www.upv.cz/en.html). No prior registration or subscription to view the Bulletin is needed; however the Adobe Reader viewer must be installed. The information as published should be the authentic one for legal purposes.
1.2.2 Main types of announcements of the Office in the field of industrial design information
Office notices are published weekly in the electronic Official Bulletin of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic. Notices are also published at the Office’s website.
1.2.3 Mass storage media and microforms used
Used mass storage media are hard discs, magnetic tapes for backup and physical original in paper version.
1.2.4 Databases and office automation
Registered designs are searchable in the public database. It provides a range of search options including proprietor, designer, image, indication of the product, legal status, date of filing, registration and publication, and Locarno class and subclass. The Official Bulletin picks up data from the internal database.
Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external documentation and databases
The Office’s Examiners have an access to:
• Internal SyPP database – contains all pending as well as already decided applications
• Internal database of industrial design applications since 1967
• OHIM research tool Designview
• Other external public databases:
http://upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/industrial-design-databases/foreign-database.html
Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) and services available to external users; conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)
National and international industrial design (paper) documentation.
Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)
Internal and public Industrial Design databases.
Other sources
The Official Bulletin URL:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html
The public database URL:
http://upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/industrial-design-databases.html
IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements
Within the Office, there are obeyed, maintained and improved several business management systems:
• ISO 9001 – QMS (Quality Management System) helps to assure a constant level of quality of service provided by The Office
• ISO14001 – EMS (Environmental Management System) is used to help organizations (a) minimize how their operations (processes, etc.) negatively affect the environment (i.e., cause adverse changes to air, water, or land); (b) comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements, and (c) continually improve in the above.
• ISO 27001 – ISMS (Information Security Management System) specifies a management system that is intended to bring information security under explicit management control. Fields of concerns are Security policy, Asset management, human resources security, access control, incident management system etc.
• OHSAS 18001 – (Occupational Health and Safety Advisory System) helps companies to propose and implement precautions that, wherever possible, remove, reduce risks or isolate employees from them in a workplace. In case this is not possible, working activities have to be planned and managed through organizational precautions so that employees’ performance was safe and healthy.
The business process management system (BPMS) internally named ADONIS that describes the office’s processes flow structure is also deployed, maintained and improved.
Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office
Workstations - HP, processor Intel Pentium 4, Core2Duo, Core I3 and Core I5, RAM 1- 4 GB, HDD 160 - 250 GB. 300 workstations connected in the Office network are of the Office staff direct service. Thereof 50 computers connected in the Office network are intended for the clients of the Office and staff training service The Office uses the ETHERNET network and computers run WINDOWS Seven operating system. Computers run WINDOWS XP OS are being replaced for that ones with WINDOWS Seven OS during 2014. MS OFFICE – 2003/2007/2010 software. The Office uses CD, DVD and magnetic tapes as data mediums.
Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources
1.3.1 In-house systems (online/offline)
The Office maintains an in-house search database of national applications of industrial designs and registered industrial designs. The database is not accessible to the public but its structure corresponds to the public database (contains only national registered industrial designs since no. 3500).
1.3.2 External databases
The Office provides publicly free access to the database comprising the data concerning registered national industrial designs since no. 3500 at the IPO CZ website http://upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/industrial-design-databases.html .
The Office also performs searches in design databases freely accessible in the Internet such as Hague Express Database, eSearch plus (previously RCD Online” database), DesignView (both maintained by OHIM) and other national dabases. The links to these databases are provided at the Office´s web site (http://www.upv.cz/en.html).
Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file
1.4.1 File building
The industrial design search file consists of the collection of registered industrial designs of the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia. The full retrospective collection of registered and published industrial designs is accessible via public database. The database contains bibliographic data as well as images of approx. 32 000 published registrations. The oldest data comes from the 1966/67 turn of the year.
1.4.2 Updating and Storage, including mass storage media
The data is updated daily and stored electronically (official databases, hard discs, magnetic tapes for backup) and in a paper version.
1.4.3 Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file
Collections of official bulletins of foreign offices are available in an electronic (CDs/ DVDs, Internet) or in a paper version. Both versions are received regularly. WIPO and Community Design Bulletin are available in electronic version via Internet (new volumes) and in CD/DVD version (previous volumes).
Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)
The Office uses the internal information system (IS SyPP, starting from January 2004) to proceed the applications of patents, supplementary patent certificates, utility models, industrial designs, trademarks and geographical indications. The system is flexible and applicable enough to maintain official registers of all the industrial property rights. The system archives all incoming and outgoing communications of the Office, provides the information on the state of proceeding, legal status of registrations and statistical data. The system is integrated with Document Management System (DMS) of the Office. The system also processes foreign applications within PCT and the European patents valid in the territory of the Czech Republic. The data is transferred to the electronic Office's Bulletin and to the public search database. Starting from November 2002, the system has been compatible with electronic filing recognizing authorized electronic certificates. The on-line filing system was launched in August 2006, the current version of on-line filing system was released in September 2009. Starting from January 2008, the system produces automatic electronic extracts from registers upon online request. Since January 2014, new version of SYPP (SYPP 2) has been launched. Data is stored in xml format including the history, which means higher security. The system will be more user-friendly. The system will be connected with central registers of the Czech Republic (ISZR). The new IS SyPP is co-financed by the European fund for regional development within the EU project Enforcement of Industrial Property Rights.
1.5.1 Information services available to the public
The information centre and help desk operate during the working days. They provide the general information concerning the industrial property.
Design information services for the public are provided within the information centre, in the public reading room, common questions can be addressed to the helpdesk (helpdesk@upv.cz) and search requests to the search section.
The Office provides full range of brochures and guides free of charge. They can be downloaded in PDF format from the Office´s web site, picked up in the office headquarters or sent upon request. The Office publishes its own books and the Industrial Property Journal (6 issues per year) reflecting the current issues of IP rights.
V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION
Office’s library (if deals with industrial design information): equipment, collection management, network of libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign libraries
Patent library stores the industrial design collection which consists of registered industrial designs of the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia. The full retrospective collection of registered and published industrial designs is accessible via public database or in paper form. The database contains bibliographic data as well as images of approx. 32 000 published registrations. The oldest data comes from the 1966/67 turn of the year. The document can be studied in public reading room equipped with PC workstations available for visitors.
The Office cooperates with Regional Patent Information Centres (PATLIBs) on information product dissemination.
Publications related to different business procedures and industrial design information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.
The Office provides full range all IP kinds dedicated brochures, leaflets and guides free of charge. They can be downloaded in PDF format from the Office´s web site http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/information-brochures/information-brochures.html, picked up in the office headquarters or sent upon request. All the materials are distributed to visitors during fairs. The Office publishes its own books.
The Industrial Property Journal reflecting the current issues of IP rights is published six times a year.
Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
Cooperation with Metropolitan University on training in a bachelor´s programme in „Industrial Property“ and a master´s programme in „International and Regional Relations in Industrial Property“. Lectures were held at a number of innovation and technology centres.
IPO CZ also cooperates with other universities. There are seminars and educational activities (various topics) for students and academic staff organised in Office’s premises or in university headquarters. University students are also regularly invited for excursions and guided tours in the Office’s premises.
Education and training: training courses, e learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
The IPO CZ regularly organizes wide range of training courses and seminars - such as Designs - National and International Legal Protection, Searches in the National and Foreign Design Databases, IP Protection and National (CZ) and International Systems of IP Protection, Intellectual Property Protection in Business (SMEs), Technology Transfer, Enforcement of Intellectual Rights, IP Jurisdiction (administrative and judicial issues),. All the educational activities are organized for public, mainly for students, academic staff of universities, representatives of SMEs or research institutions and IP professionals.
Every year, a two-year course of industrial property rights begins within the Industrial Property Training Institute - Office's own educational facility.
The Office presented its information activities, information and educational products at the following exhibitions and trade fairs:
• 55th International Engineering Fair (Brno, CZ)
• 12th International Trade Fair of Engineering Technologies FOR INDUSTRY 2013 (Prague, CZ)
• 18th International Interior and design Trade Fair TENDENCE 2013 (Prague, CZ)
• 21st International Trade Fair of Electrotechnics, Electronics, Automation, Communication, Lighting and Security Technologies AMPER 2013 (Prague, CZ)
• 1 st International Fair of Invention, new Ideas and Innovative products Fair INVENTO (Prague, CZ)
• Innovation 2013 (Prague, CZ)
• 41st International Exhibition of Inventions (Geneva, CH)
• 65th IENA - Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations (Nürnberg, DE)
Other activities
The IPO CZ has advances in its activities for children and youth (elementary school pupils and secondary school students). The Office offers to them short training sessions on industrial rights, guided field trips to the Office's headquarters and an example search in patent databases, as well as courses for teachers interested in adding the topic of industrial rights to their curricula. A popular instructional leaflet about IP for children and youth has been prepared and a special section for youth has been added to the IPO CZ website. The leaflet and comics books on the topics of patents, trademarks and copyright can be downloaded in this section. All the materials mentioned are also available for children and youth during their excursion to the IPO or during the fairs and exhibitions. A popular instructional pamphlet for adults was at published at the same time. The IPO has also established cooperation with the RVP.CZ Methodological Portal, operated by the National Institute for Education to support of teachers. The result of the cooperation is a series of articles on intellectual property and examples of how to include it into various teaching objects. A meeting with teachers from elementary and secondary schools was organized on this topic, too.
VI.INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION
International exchange of industrial design information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes)
The Official Bulletin of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic is published exclusively electronically as of the beginning 2007. The Official Bulletin is published on a weekly basis (updated every Wednesday) instead of the monthly basis as it was before. The paper version has been discontinued. Electronic version of the Official Bulletin is available since 2000 (Czech version, English version is available since 2007) and accessible at the Office’s web site:
http://www.upv.cz/cs/publikace/vestnik-upv.html (Czech version)
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html (English version)
Various courses and seminars were organized for students and representatives of SMEs or research institutions; Groups of university students were accepted for excursions and guided tours for excursions and guided tours in the Office’s premises.
Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to industrial design information
Once entered into the registry run by the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) in Alicante, Spain, design owners gain protection for the entire territory of the European Union. The IPO CZ has been integrated into the Designview database, becoming the eleventh National Office to do so. The IPO CZ has uploaded nearly 59,000 designs into Designview.
Since 2008, upon the European Union's joining into the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, Czech applicants have had the possibility to use the international industrial design protection system. The system is managed by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Assistance to developing countries
The IPO CZ held a regular two-week training course for 5 – 6 participants.
Other activities
The Industrial Property Office continued to fulfil responsibilities resulting from the Czech Republic's membership in the European Union especially related to the area of industrial property protection. It participated in the meetings of the EU Council Working Group on Intellectual Property.
VII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS