SCIT.ATR.PI.2006.PL

Annual Technical Report 2006 on Patent Information Activities submitted by Poland (SCIT/ATR/PI/2006/PL)

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

Changes experienced in terms of application filings and grants with respect to the previous year

The provisions of Industrial Property Act of 30 June 2000 as amended on 17 December, applied in the field of industrial property protection in 2006.
Implementation of online PCT filings. The PPO is accepting electronic communication with regard to the PCT patent applications since 1 march 2006. In addition, in collaboration with the European Patent Office, the PPO implemented pilot plug-in solutions enabling online filings under the national patent procedure.

Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year

In 2006 the Polish Patent Office received:
- 2,369 patent applications under national procedure, among which domestic applications constituted the number of 2,157 and foreign applications-212.
A slight increase in domestic and foreign patent applications under national procedure was observed in comparison with the year 2005 (of 6,4%).
-96 PCT applications in order to initiate the procedure for patent protection abroad.
- 61 applications for European Patent.
- 137,551 designations of Poland in international patent applications in PCT procedure (which means a 1,2% decrease in comparison with 2004). The national phase entered 443 patent applications earlier filed under that procedure, that is 89,9 % less than in 2005,which was a consequence of Poland's accession to the Convention on the Grant of European
Patents.
6,208 decisions were made (5,099 in 2005), including 3,660 decisions on granting patents (2,507 in 2005).
The number of patents in effect on 31 December 2006 was 15,531, including 342 European patents.
The total number of patent applications filed in 2006 amounted to 2,812, that is 3,781 fewer than in 2005.
In 2006 PPO received from foreign applicants 16 applications for the grant of supplementary right of protection for medicinal products and plant protection products, twelve of which were settled.
- 666 utility model applications filed under national procedures, i.e. 4,1% more than in 2005, including 12 foreign utility model applications. 1,235 decisions were taken (1,914 in 2005), including 921 to grant protection rights. The number of pending utility model applications on 31 December 2006 was 1,307. On 31 December 2006, 2,607 rights of protection for utility models have been maintained.
In 2006 there was no single application of topography of integrated circuits filed with the PPO.
In 2006 there were no geographical indication applications for products for which the Patent Office is the competent authority. In consequence of the change in legal status from February 2005 the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is receiving examination and transmitting to the EC requests for registration of designation of origin, geographical indication and names of specific character for agricultural products and foodstuffs.

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide statistics related to patents

Statistics related to patents are presented in the Annual Report of the Patent Office at the following address:
Annual Reports: http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Wydawnictwa/Raporty+Roczne.htm ; http://www.uprp.pl/English/About+the+Polish+Patent+Office/annual/default.htm

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

Publishing, printing, copying (main types of publications of the office in the field of patent information, etc.)

In 2006 the following publications were issued:
a) periodicals
"Biuletyn Urzedu Patentowego" ("Patent Office's Bulletin"-bi-weekly) 26 number, i.e. 11,122 copies.
"Wiadomosci Urzedu Patentowego" (Patent Office's Announcements- monthly) 12 numbers, i.e. 5,275 copies.
"Dziennik Urzedowy UPRP" (The PPO Journal-annual) two issues and index i.e. 239 copies
2005 Annual Report of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland, 550 copies
Patent Specifications 2,713 (titles) -95,066 copies
b) non periodicals, single brochure publications:
International Patent Classification, VIII edition, Division B - 250 copies
International Patent Classification, VIII edition, Division C - 250 copies
International Patent Classification, VIII edition, Division D - 250 copies
International Patent Classification, VIII edition, Division E- 250 copies
International Patent Classification, VIII edition, Division F - 250 copies
International Patent Classification, VIII edition, Division G - 250 copies
International Patent Classification, VIII edition, Division H - 250 copies
Inventor's Guide. Rules of preparing documentation for patent and utility models applications, 1000 copies
For the "Patent Office's Bulletin" publication there were 4,123 announcements on filed patent and utility models published. For Patent Office's Announcements, 3,194 announcements on granted patents and granted protection rights on utility models.

Main types of announcements of the Office in the field of patent information

n/a

Mass storage media used (paper, microforms, optical storage, etc.)

The PPO used the following carriers of patent documentation: CD-ROM discs, DVD, paper, with gradual decrease of paper carrier.

Word processing and office automation

n/a

(New) techniques used for the generation of patent information (printing, recording, photocomposing, etc.)

The constantly modernized publication system enables production of the Office's publications on its own. The publishing process was based on the DTP system and covered preparation of data contained in the Office's database, text editing and typesetting in InDesign 3.0 programme. Printing was performed on the offset machine and digital reproducer. Publications were book bound in the last phase. Patent specifications are scanned in OCR technique. Preparation for printing is made in Word programme and printing itself on digital network machines.
"Biuletyn Urzedu Patentowego" ("Patent Office's Bulletin") and "Wiadomosci Urzedu Patentowego" (Patent Office's Announcements) are presented in PDF format on the PPO website. Those online versions of the publications are accessible free of charge. In 2006, the PPO published full-text patent specifications in the Internet databases of the PPO in PDF format.

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide access to online publication of patent documents and gazettes, and other primary and secondary sources of patent information, including patent publication servers and download of bulk patent data

Legislation: http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Akty+prawne/ ; http://www.uprp.pl/English/Law/
Annual Reports: http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Wydawnictwa/Raporty+Roczne.htm ; http://www.uprp.pl/English/About+the+Polish+Patent+Office/annual/default.htm
Translations into Polish of the EPO patents (Poland as designated state): http://www.uprp.pl/epo_t/
Press Review: http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Przeglad+prasy/ .

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

Abstracting, reviewing, translating

No activities in this respect.

Classification and reclassification activities; Classification system used, e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC), other classification (please indicate whether or not patent documents are classified by your Office and, if so, which classification is used)

In 2006 the current VIII edition of IPC was applied in the PPO, both at the stage of clasifying new applications and on currently published patent documents.

Coordinate indexing (domestic deep indexing systems, keyword indexing)

n/a

Hybrid system indexing

n/a

Bibliographic data and full-text processing

n/a

IV. Search file establishment and upkeep

In 2006 building of Polish and foreign patent documentation file on CD-ROM, DVD, optical discs,and paper was continued.

File building

In 2005 the increase of patent documentation was as follows:
2,175,400 copies on optical discs CD-ROM and DVD (1,453 casettes) including specifications of inventions, patent specifications, and utility model specifications.
653CD-ROM discs i.e. 28 titles of bibliographic and thematic databases within the scope of patents and trademarks.
132,000 publications i.e. 3,056 booklets of patent, technical and legal literature on paper.
278 volumes of books-fulfilling the orders of PPO examiners.

Updating

In 2006 the PPO continued collecting, storing, and preparing patent and technical literature by:
-purchasing and inroduction of 142 volumes of books into the ZBILNI database
-registering and providing access to 3,100 booklets of patent, technical and legal literature on paper

Storage, including mass storage media

n/a

Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file

n/a

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

In-house systems (online/offline)

In 2006 the following search systems were used:
-working on-line and based on the BAZPAT database for the needs of application filings and granting procedures;
-the system of patent and utility model applications;
-the system of patent searching;
-fee control system;
-utility model searching;
-EPTOS (online filing, Phoenix).

External databases

-PPO internet home page
-databases on subjects of industrial property filed and protected in Poland
-in co-operation with the EPO-providing information stored in esp@cenet via the Polish interface.

Administrative management systems (e.g., register, legal status, statistics, administrative support, etc.)

Systems operating off-line:
-law information system;
-patent attorneys information system;
-finance-accounting system;
-system supporting access to the databases on CD-ROMs containing the files of full text specifications, bibliographic data and abstracts of patent specifications in the Office's library.

Equipment used (hardware, including the types of terminal and network used, and software), carriers used

Basic functions of servers:
- email and group work servers working on MS exchange 2003;
- domain controller on Windows 2003 with DHCP, DNS;
- rounting and firewall on MS ISA Server and CISCO PIX;
- web page on the Microsoft Content Management Server;
- Tivoli Storage Manager system of data backup 5.2;
- Sophos Antivirus and Antispam email scanner;
- application for databases searching - MIMOSA V 5, Patent
Webaccess, Patent WS, IRIS.
The working applications were supported on the basis of the following tools:
- REVELATION- administration of external patent and utility model databases;
- DB2 and JAVA- managing trademark and industrial design databases;
- Pearl, PHP, C#.NET-creating of inter- and intra- websites;
- IBM CONTENT MANAGER-manging the application documents of trademarks and industrial designs;
- SQL SERVER and C#- managing the external database;
- ULTRANET and IRIS-supporting net access to optical discs;
- Adobe and Corel software for publishing purposes.

Modern datacenter that assures the right and secure use of servers. The server-room has been furnished with air-condition appliances and a dozen of specifically equipped cabinets, fire-extinguisher devices, the CCTV system and the access control systems.
In-house computer network (LAN) based on the Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet solutions. Cisco and Alcatel switches and firewalls.
Telecommunication system with VOiP over WiFi improving direct communication with in-house and outside users.
PPO co-operates with the EPO on dissemination information via EPOQUENET.

Existing online thesauri; their structure, presentation and usefulness for computerized searches

n/a

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)

Planning, administration, automation, security, buildings

The PPO's internal library and reading room are run by the Patent Literature Department and are accessible for (PPO employees and external users).
The available colllection includes PL abstracts, IPC, ECLA, but also other publications, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, official journals, etc.
Some of them are available on the PPO's web page.

Collecting, acquisitions, preparation

In 2006 in the field of organisation and upkeep of the files available to the Office's examiners and the public, the following documentation was included in the files:
- 2,175,400 copies of patent documents on optical discs CD-ROM and DVD containing abstracts of patent and utility model applications, from 20 countries and 2 international organisations
- 11,100 copies of Polish patent specifications on paper
-635 CD-ROM discs i.e. 28 titles of bibliographic and thematic databases
- 4,000 cards of patent and utility model application abstracts published in the "Patent Office's Bulletin" and not published or given a negative decision
- creating of class collection out of number collection of patent specifications of the United States of America in accordance with the V edition of IPC, in the amount of 344,400 copies.

Collection management, preservation

Patent documenation collection on paper amounts to 11,668,000 copies. It is stored in in the storage rooms on movable bookshelves in numerical and class arrangements, with division to respective countries (except from Great Britain). Class collection is stored in special files , adjusted to this type of collection. Numeric collection is stored in bound volumes.
The storage rooms meet all the requirements for collection's safety.
Polish patent documentation organised in class arrangement is available in the general reading room, while foreign patent documentation in class arrangement is available in the examiners' reading room.
Collection of patent documents on CD-ROM and DVD amounts to 33,891 copies. The collection is stored and available in the reading room also open to outside users, on special bookshelves adjusted to this type of collection.

Interlibrary lending, resource sharing, networks of patent libraries in the country

Within the co-operation with the patent information centres in Poland, the Office continued supplying them with foreign and Polish patent documentation and literature. In 2006 the Office sent:
-850 discs with full text databases on CD-ROMs
-33 discs with patent literature
-307 copies of patent bulletins
-2,479 copies of Polish industrial and ornamental design specifications
-1.196 copies of "Patent Office's Bulletin"
-540 copies of the "Patent Office's Announcements"
-45 copies of the "Official Journal"
-45 copies of Index of the Official Journal for the year 2005
International Patent Classification, VIII edition, sections B,C,D,E,F,G,H - 344 copies
-31 copies of Annual Report of 2005
-43 copies of Inventor's Guide. Rules of preparing documentation for patent and utility models applications,
-45,162 full texts of Polish patent specifications

Information services available to the public (including computerized services and search files contained in libraries remote from your Office and patent information posted by your Office on the World Wide Web)

Within the services rendered for the users in 2006 the following were made accessible:
- 7,600 files with foreign patent documentation was available for examiners and 2,801 outside users and 16,300 copies of single Polish and foreign patent specifications, 800 volumes of books and 500 booklets. Free access to Polish and world patent documentation was also provided.
- 54,501 retrievals on the patent and trademark databases on CD-ROM for 2,369 outside users

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide information on business procedures such as: filing, publication, examination and grant procedures related to patents; opposition and appeal procedures related to patents; etc.

Filing with the PPO:
National Procedure:
http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Procedura+krajowa/
International Procedure:
http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Procedura+miedzynarodowa/
Forms (including those for electronic filing):
http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Procedura+krajowa/Formularze/Formularze.htm
Databases:
Polish:
http://www.uprp.pl/patentwebaccess/databasechoose.aspx?language=polski
English:
http://www.uprp.pl/patentwebaccess/databasechoose.aspx?language=english
Procedures before the PPO - Basic Information:
http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Informacje+o+UPRP/Podstawowe+informacje+i+poradniki/
http://www.uprp.pl/English/About+the+Polish+Patent+Office/Basic+information/

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide a description of information products and services offered by the Office (e.g., patent search service(s), patent databases, etc.), as well as information on how to access and utilize them

see above

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of patent documentation and information

International or regional cooperation in the exchange of machine-readable information, e.g., bibliographic data, abstract and/or full text information

In 2006 an exchange of patent documentation and information with foreign patent offices was continued. We sent to libraries abroad:
- to 36 countries - 432 copies of "Patent Office's Announcements"
- to 16 countries - 416 copies of "Patent Office's Bulletin"
- to 6 countries - 16,278 copies of full text Polish patent specifications.

Medium used for exchange of priority documents

paper

Medium allowed for filing applications

paper, internet

Implementation of the Statement of Principles Concerning the Changeover to Electronic Data Carriers for the Exchange of Patent Documents (please provide a status report on the extent to which your Office has changed over to electronic data carriers for the exchange of patent documents)

Polish patent literature is contained on the Preces disc and the exchange is conducted together with the Hungarian Patent Office

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)

Training courses for national and foreign participants, use of audiovisual means

Within the twinning programme project with the Danish Patent Office "Enforcement of the protection of industrial and intellectual property rights" a series of seminars and workshops were conducted from April to December 2006. In cooperation with patent information centres in 7 provinces, the workshops were conducted in the following locations:
-Regional Patent Information Centre at Technical-Agricultural University in Bydgoszcz;
-Regional Patent Information Centre at the University in Lodz;
-Regional Patent Information Centre at Higher Vocational School in Kalisz;
-Multimedia Center for Management of Patent Information at Technical University in Szczecin;
-Scientific and Patent Information Centre of the Library of Technical University in Lublin;
-Conference centre of the Warminsko-Mazurski University in Olsztyn;
-Management Department of the Technical University in Bialystok.

PPO participated also in trainings and conferences organised by the European Patent Office (28 people). The events focused on issues, such as: International Patent Classification, EPOQUE, appeal procedures in EPO, administration of European patent applications, patenting in biotechnology, electronic pulications etc.
Every year Polish Patent Office organises trainings to raise professional skills of its staff.
Depending on the professional experience, in 2006 they participated in a civil service preparatory training course or in training courses organised by the National School of Public Administration and the Civil Service Office.
In 2006 after completing two year training, 12 Office's employees obtained expert's qualifications and 22 employees who completed their training and passed the qualifying examinations obtained assistant expert's qualifications.
Additionally, language courses for PPO employees (languages: English, French, German, Spanish)were organised.
Lectures on some legal issues were offered for PPO staff, the subjects of which were: legal protection of computer software, enforcement proceedings with the focus on bailiff's actions, substantive law in bancrupcy proceedings. In 2006 Polish Patent Office organised trainings for student trainees from different institutions of higher educaion, such as Warsaw University, the University of Bialystok, M. Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin and Lazarski School of Commerce and Law.

Promotional activities (seminars, exhibitions, visits, advertising, etc.)

In 2006 within industrial property protection the following events were organised:
11th all-Poland conference for patent information centers;
All-Poland conference for representatives of science, pharmaceutical industry and patent attorneys on "The industrial property in biotechnology";
The conference on "The protection of geographical indications-challenges for Poland after accession to the European Union (in cooperation with the TAIEX Office from Brussels);
Krakow conference "Inteltrans 2006" on "The quality, innovation and technology transfer in the development of enterprises";
Seminar for employees of PPO and Patent Information Centres "Cooperation with the European Patent Office";
Patent exhibition "Time of stars, innovations in the realm of the universe" in Warsaw;
-Seminar for patent attorneys from universities and academies in Cedzyna;
-Awards ceremony of the winners of the 4th edition of Competitions organised by the Patent Office for the best poster, doctoral and master's thesis and student dissertation on the industrial property protection.

The Patent Office also organised exhibition, information and promotion stands at conferences, exhibitions and fairs:
Stand at PATLIB 2006 conference in Prague (in cooperation with EPO);
Stand at International Fairs in Poznan;
Stand at Scientific Picnic of the Polish BIS Radio;
Joint stand with EPO epoline conference (Online services user day)in Warsaw;
Informational -promotional stand in the Museum of Technic in Warsaw during the 12th Exhibition of Inventions awarded at international exhibitions in 2005;
-Promotional stand at international conference "EPO-Patent Information Conference 2006".

Studies to identify trends in new technology, e.g., by the use of patent statistics, preparation of monographs, etc.

n/a

Assistance furnished by offices to facilitate the changing over of receiving offices to electronic data carriers for the exchange of patent documents (see also sub-item 4 of item VI, above)

n/a

Main patent and industrial property information magazines/journals published in the country or region of the Office

n/a

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

Legislation: http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Akty+prawne/ ; http://www.uprp.pl/English/Law/

contain the Annual Report of the Office

Annual Reports: http://www.uprp.pl/Polski/Wydawnictwa/Raporty+Roczne.htm ; http://www.uprp.pl/English/About+the+Polish+Patent+Office/annual/default.htm

if necessary, provide further information related to the topics referred to in the current ATR

n/a

provide open source codes related to patent information systems

n/a

contain patent-related news regarding the Office

n/a

X. Other relevant matters