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While total applications experienced a slight decrease to 223 in 2002 from 239 in 2001, the number of grant certificates delivered increased from 3 in 2001 to 17 in 2002. This is due mainly to the increasing confidence and expertise of the examiners as their examination skills increased. The percentage of Patent Cooperation Treay (PCT) applications effecting national entry as a proportion of total applications also increased from 81% in 2001 to 96% in 2002. Trinidad and Tobago switched from a registration system to a full examination system in December 1997. After the major change in the examination system in 1997, the Office experienced a subsequent decrease in filings but they steadily rebounded until 2001 when the number of filings in 2001 surpassed the previous 1997 high mark.
ApplicationsforPatentsattheIntellectualPropertyOffice.doc
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
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IX. Other relevant matters
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| 1. | Classification is allotting one or more classification symbols (e.g., IPC symbols) to a patent application, either before or during search and examination, which symbols are then published with the patent application.
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| 2. | Preclassification is allotting an initial broad classification symbol (e.g., IPC class or subclass, or administrative unit) to a patent application, using human or automated means for internal administrative purposes (e.g., routing an application to the appropriate examiner). Usually preclassification is applied by the administration of an office.
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| 3. | Reclassification is the reconsideration and usually the replacement of one or more previously allotted classification symbols to a patent document, following a revision and the entry into force of a new version of the Classification system (e.g., the IPC). The new symbols are available on patent databases.
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