CWS.ATR.PI.2009.GE

Annual Technical Report 2009 on Patent Information Activities submitted by Georgia (CWS/ATR/PI/2009/GE)

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 term "patent" covers utility models and Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs). Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in their Annual Technical Reports on Industrial Design Information Activities.

I. Evolution of patent activities

In 2009, 474 applications for inventions were filed with Sakpatenti, which is 3.4% more than the number of applications filed in 2008. Of these, 256 applications were filed by local applicants, which is approximately 15% more as compared with the number filed in the previous year. The number of foreign applications for inventions filed with Sakpatenti under the PCT decreased: 186 applications instead of 215 applications filed in 2008, i.e. about 13% less as compared with the 2008. The amount of applications filed by foreign applicants directly with Sakpatenti increased slightly, namely, 32 applications (26 applications were filed in the previous year).
Of 32 applications for inventions, 17 ones requested convention priority, 12 applications were filed for the so-called importation patent. As in 2008, in the reporting year applicants from the USA again displayed special interest in the importation patent.
It is noteworthy that for 11 of these applications patents are granted by the European Patent Office.
In 2009, as in 2008, the majority of applications were filed again from the United States of America.
As the dynamics of filing applications with Sakpatenti in 2005-2009 shows, the total quantity of foreign applications (the sum total of applications filed directly with Sakpatenti and international applications) increased continuously from 2005 to 2007, and in 2008 it decreased by up to 24% as compared with 2007, and in 2009 increased by 3.4% as compared with 2008. The period of stable growth of the number of local applications covers only 2006, 2007 and 2009. In 2005 and 2008 the number of applications reduced, whereas in 2009 it reached a high index.
With the purpose of illustrating dynamics of breakdown according to the countries of the applications filed with Sakpatenti, data of the countries were selected from where the quantity of applications filed and averaged according to 2005-2009 was not less than 1 % of the total number.
As the general picture of breakdown according to the countries shows, among the foreign applicants the most active were applicants from the USA. From 2005 to 2007 the amount of their applications was on the increase, whereas in 2008 and 2009 the number of filed applications decreased considerably (almost by half, as compared with 2007). However, it exceeded significantly the number of applications filed from other separate countries and made 15% of the total number. The activity of the applicants from other countries (mainly European countries) remained at the level of the previous years.
In 2009 French applicants with 25 applications (5% of the total amount) occupy the second position. Local applicants filed 256 applications, which is 54% of the total amount.
The analysis of the data corresponding to the breakdown of local applications according to branches (Sections of the International Classification) shows that the largest quantity of inventions was again in the branches corresponding to Section A (medicine and veterinary; food and foodstuffs; agriculture) and is on average 35% of the total amount. All other important groups belong to the respective branches of B (17%), F (16%) and C (11%), E (7%), G (8%) and H (5%) sections (performing operations; mechanical engineering; chemistry and metallurgy; fixed constructions; physics; and electricity) and remain at about the same level. The quantity of applications with respect to other branches is insignificant. It should be noted that the number of applications linked with respective branches of Section E (fixed constructions - building; mining) increased by about 75% as compared with the previous year, the number of applications related with respective branches of Section C (chemistry; metallurgy) increased by approximately 40% as compared with the previous year, whereas the number of applications belonging to Section H, namely, telecommunications branch, decreased by 32%.
Unlike local applications, most of the foreign inventions belong to the respective branches of Section C - 54 %, and their majority (about 90 %), as in previous years, again represent organic substances used in pharmacology.
As regards Section A, its portion is 32 %, mainly in medicine again - about 90%. It is also noteworthy that the number of foreign applications belonging to telecommunications branch decreased sharply.
In 2009 Sakpatenti granted 293 patents for inventions. The number of patents granted to local and foreign applicants is about the same.
Utility Model
Unlike inventions, applications for utility models are practically filed only by local applicants and their total number varies within 100 and 120. In 2009 local applicants filed 106 applications, which is approximately 4% less than the quantity of the local applications filed in 2008, whereas only 1 application was filed from abroad (Turkey) according to Class A 23 G 3/00.
As is obvious from analysis of the data of the breakdown of local applications according to branches (Sections of the International Classification) in 2005-2009, the largest quantity of applications for utility models was in the branches corresponding to Section A: medicine or veterinary; food or foodstuffs; agriculture. About 90% of these applications belongs to medicine and thus remains on the level of the previous year.
The number of applications filed in other sections as compared with 2008 is the following:
- increased considerably in branches of Section H (electricity);
- slightly increased in branches of Sections B and G (performing operations; physics);
- reduced in Sections C, D and F (chemistry, metallurgy; textiles; mechanical engineering).
All the applications were filed by physical
persons.
In the reporting year 110 patents were granted for utility models, which is 49% more as compared with data of 2008.

II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, distribution and use of primary and secondary sources of patent information

Preliminary processing of the documents is performed by automated system by use of software applications installed on workstations. Conducted works include: primary processing of applications; entering of bibliographic data, abstracts and drawings into the database; and record-keeping of received documents.
-The Official Bulletins data bulk for publishing in the Georgian language is prepared by generating from the database and formatting them with MsWord text processors.
-The Official Bulletin of Industrial Property is published twice a month on paper, CD-ROM and on the WebSite of SAKPATENTI.
Web pages of the Office's website are available that provide access to online publication of patent documents and gazettes, and other primary and secondary sources of patent information:
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge

III. Matters concerning abstracting, classifying, reclassifying and indexing of technical information contained in patent documents

Bibliographic data and abstracts of all patent documents are translated from Georgian into English
All patent documents are classified by Sakpatenti only using IPC classification (core level). Other classifications are not in use.
Patent documents are reclassified in accordance with IPC8
It is possible to conduct searches in patent bibliographic data with the Office patent database.

IV. Search file establishment and upkeep

All documents are maintained in the Office library on paper in numerical and classified collections, which are regularly updated, as well as on CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs
The library is also equipped with two workstations having access to the Office patent database and the Internet
Various Official Bulletins from other International Property Offices of the world are also kept in the library.

V. Activities in the field of computerized and other mechanized search systems

Patent search in in-house databases are conducted online by means of LAN. Every examiner has access to the in-house databases from his/her working place. External databases are accessible via the Internet.
Automated system of SAKPATENTI is based on a powerful LAN. The LAN is a high speed network (100 MBps) of which core is built on three 24 port switches. The switches connect HUBs of individual local segments and 5 high-throughput servers. In the LAN, 168 computers, 116 printers, and 72 power supply units (UPS) are contained.

Data flow processing, monitoring and control
1. primary processing of applications on inventions and utility models, both domestic and international; entering of bibliographic data, abstracts and drawings into the database; and record-keeping of outgoing documents.
2. Entering primary information of domestic applications on inventions, bibliographic data, abstracts, and images into the database.
All kinds of changes made in applications, such as corrections, alterations etc. are entered into the database and they are available to the management staff and other persons upon request.

An integrated automated workflow management system is based on the last generation information technologies and software means (ORACLE system).
The system algorithm is completely based on legislative articles being currently in force in Georgia. Each application which is filed goes through a certain technological cycle
and appropriated actions are conducted in accordance with the rules. The objective of the functional complex is to administer the following actions:
receiving documents, registration and making modifications to them;
control of time limits;
communication with an applicant with established forms;
formation of databases
conducting searches in the databases;
creation of reference systems and their use;
registry upkeep;
preparation of materials to be published in Official Bulletins;
providing the statistical and other data to the management staff.

For further upgrading the automated system some efforts were made objectives of which were as follows:
- increase of the speed of information processing;
- improvement of operation reliability;
- provision of full automation of the technological cycle;
- formation of the electronic Bulletin in real time;
- possibility of conducting searches with keywords in bibliographic data;
- secure storage of accumulated data;
- extensive use of the Internet for information exchange;
- capability of online filing of applications;
- control of time limits according to the rules of international agreements and protocols;
- control of meeting the requirements of the laws in force, normative acts, rules etc.

The bibliographic data, abstracts and images as well as full-texts of patent documents are extracted from the database and published on the Website database, which is equipped with search engine on MySQL.

VI. Administration of the industrial property office library, and information products and services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, for assisting clients on searching procedures, for obtaining official publications and registry extracts)

The Office industrial property library is located in separate premises and is equipped with every necessary documentation as well as computers for assisting public in searching procedures, for obtaining official publications, for providing consultations as concerns applications drafting, novelty searches as well as information concerning the innovation.
A set of documents is available in the library specifically designed for young businessmen, being updated on a regular basis.
Web pages of the Office's website are available that provide information on filing, publication, examination and grant procedures related to patents; as well as URLs of web pages of the Office's website that provide a description of information products and services offered by the Office as well as information on how to access and utilize them:
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of patent documentation and information

All Official Bulletins stored on CD discs (trilingual versions) are exchanged with various Intellectual Property Offices worldwide. These bulletins are stored in MS Word format. Priority documents are received on paper as well as through the Internet. All bulletins, starting from 2005, are published on the Office Website in PDF format.

Since 2008 the Office has been working on PCT electronic filing and exchange of documents online within the framework of WIPO PCT Cooperative Program.

VIII. Other relevant matters concerning education and training in, and promotion of, the use of patent information, including technical assistance to developing countries (please indicate URLs of web pages of the Office’s website wherever appropriate)

The Office is well equipped with audiovisual means for conducting seminars and training courses. Power Point presentations were mainly used as visual means for training purposes.
15 staff members of the Office attended seminars and different events abroad. Seven staff members successfully finished the Distance Learning Advanced Courses provided by the WIPO Academy.
1 person successfully finished WIPO-WTO Advanced Course on IP in Geneva, 2 examiners participated in the EPO Academy Public Seminar in Berlin.
To those willing to submit PCT applications in electronic format technical means are available free of charge in the Receiving Office.
In 2009 two seminars were organized in Sakpatenti: 1. National Seminar on New Problems and Challenges of the Protection of Appellations of Origin, organized in cooperation with WIPO; and 2. National seminar on electronic resources of Sakpatenti for librarians of Georgia and general public.

IX. Other general information related to the Office that is available on the Internet -- URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that:

• provide information on legislation related to patents
• contain the Annual Report of the Office
• contain patent-related news regarding the Office
are as follows:
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge ; http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=20 ; http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=19

X. Other relevant matters