SCIT.ATR.PI.2005.GE

Annual Technical Report 2005 on Patent Information Activities submitted by Georgia (SCIT/ATR/PI/2005/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

As compared with the previous year, the number of the applications for inventions increased with 4%. Number of applications which were file by foreign applicants increased by 19%. The number of granted patents on inventions were also increased with 18% as compared with the previous year. The number of patents granted to the foreign applicants were almost the same as those in the previous year, whereas the number of patents granted to the domestic applicants increased by 40%.
The number of the applications for utility models an granted patent were decreased by 11%and 31% respectively as compared with the year 2004.
No significant changes were observed in terms of trends or areas with respect to the previous year.

Year 2004 2005
Kind Inventions Utility Models Inventions Utility Models
Applications 457 116 475 103
Patents 269 104 320 71

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 Georgian language is prepared by generating from the database and formatting them with MsWord text processors.
-The Industrial Property Official Bulletin is published twice a month on paper, CDROM and on the WebSite of SAKPATENTI.

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

Documents are classified using IPC classification. Other classifications are not in use.
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. They are kept as numerical and classified collections which are regularly updated.
Various Official Bulletins from other International Property Offices of the world are also kept in the library.
The library is also equipped with two workstations having access to the Office patent database and the Internet.

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 is given possibility to conduct searches in 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, 103 computers, 110 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 Industrial Designs, bibliographic data, abstracts, and design views into the database.
-processing Industrial Designs registered in the International Bureau in accordance with the Hague agreement;


3. Entering primary information of domestic applications on Trademarks, bibliographic data, class listing and figurative elements into the database.
-Processing the trademarks registered in the International Bureau in accordance with the Madrid agreement.


Since 2000, development of new project of unified automated system started and it has been implemented in 2005 with the use of last generation information technologies and software means (ORACLE system).
The system algorithm is completely based on legislative articles being currently in force in SAKPATENTI. Each application which is filed goes through 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:
recieving documents, registration and making modifications in 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 the speed of information processing;
- improvement of operation reliability;
- provision of full automation of the technological cycle;
- formation of electronic Bulletin in real time;
- possibility of conducting searches with keywords and in bibliographic data;
- secure storage of accumulated data;
- extensive use of the Internet for informatio 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.

VI. Administration of the industrial property office library 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 nececary documentation as well as computers for assisting public on searching procedures, for obtaining official publications, for. providing consultations as concerns applications drafting, novelty searches, etc.

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, however, it is planned to receive them on CDROMs. All bulletins are published on the Office Website in PDF format.

VIII. Other relevant matters concerning education and training in, and promotion of, the use of patent information, including technical assistance to developing countries

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.
Several examiners and staff members attended seminars abroad.
To provide knowledge dissemination policy, the Office continues to publish journal "Intellectual Property" containing papers on all spheres of intellectual property. It is published on paper and on the Website in PDF format (full texts). The authors of the papers are mainly the Office staff members. The journal provides great aid both to patent professionals and public in obtaining useful educational materials.
Apart from publishing, the Office permanently provides consultations to applicants as concerns applications drafting, novelty searches, etc. To those willing to submit PCT applications in electronic format technical means are available free of charge in the Receiving Office.

IX. Other relevant matters