Annual Technical Report 2002 on Trademark Information Activities submitted by Israel (SCIT/ATR/TM/2002/IL)
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I. Evolution of registration activities
1. Decrease of 8.5% in the number of trademark applications. In 2001 8,936 applications were filed. The figure for 2002 was 7671 applications.
2. Decrease of 6% in the number of trademark registrations. In 2001 8,951 marks were registered. In 2002 8419 marks were registered.
3. Decrease of 9 % in the number of applications applied by foreigners. In 2001 72% of the applications were filed by foreign applicants. The figure for 2002 was 63%.
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
Telecommunication – decrease of 41%. In 2001 381 applications were filed, against 227 in 2002.
Computers and peripherals – decrease of 23%. In 2001 1215 applications were filed, in 2002 - 936.
In 2001 30% of the applications were for services in classes 35-42. The figure for applications for services in classes 35-45 in 2002 was 26%.
II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, and distribution of secondary sources of trademark information, i.e., trademark gazettes
Trademark journal is published every month on paper. The journal is prepared by the trademark department, by its computerized system. The journal includes information about trademark applications accepted for registration, as well as changes in registered trademark details.
Circulars and regulations issued by the Registrar and the Deputy Registrar are also published in the Trademark journal.
Full data base concerning trademark applications and registrations is available on an Internet site
Microsoft WORD is used for word processing.
III. Matters concerning classifying, reclassifying and indexing of trademark information
Israel is a member of the Nice classification of goods and services. We started to use the Vienna classification for figurative elements even though Israel is not a member. A program concerning Vienna classification skills upgrade training to the trademark examiners had been conducted by WIPO.
The examiners are using several CD's containing information on different subjects. The examiners are also connected to the Internet for searches of information.
IV. Trademark manual search file establishment and upkeep
There is no trademark manual search in the Office.
V. Activities in the field of computerized trademark search systems
Windows based application using Oracle is used. NT net has a separate server.
The application is fully dealing with all the administrative management of the activities in the trademark department.
Equipment used (hardware, including the types of terminal and network used, and software), carriers used
PC Pentium - 32 MB RAM, Windows 95, HP Laserjet 4000 printers, HP Color Laserjet 4500, HP Scanjet ADF- all connected by NT net.
Separate workstation with modem for direct connection to the Internet.
VI. Administration of trademark services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, registering trademarks, assisting clients with search procedures, obtaining official publications and registry extracts)
Search services are given by the department due to a payment of fee. Free search is available for the public using either public computer station at the office or the database appearing on the Internet.
VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of trademark documentation and information
Trademark gazettes from countries like Britain, USA, France, Turkey and Romania are received regularly. The Israeli Trademark Journal is being sent to Britain, Germany, Russia, Romania.
VIII. Matters concerning education and training including technical assistance to developing countries
Training courses are presented from time to time for the examiners.
The Office receives trainees from developing countries under the WIPO training program.
IX. Other relevant matters
1. Electronic filling service is available. This service of filing applications using the Internet site of the department is used by applicants who deposited money in advance. E-filing is a very successful service, since almost 50% of the applications are filed in this way.
2. Preparations are made to join Madrid Protocol during the year 2004. A new computer system is in the process of preparation for that. The system is still in the Functional Specification analysis stage and tools were not determined yet. However, it is the policy of the Ministry of Justice IT department to prefer Microsoft .NET development tools and environment and browser-based applications.