Annual Technical Report on Trademark Information Activities in 2015 submitted by
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Intellectual Property Office CZ
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I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADEMARK INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of trademark information activities and expected time frames for their realization
New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks
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Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and registrations with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes
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2015 | Compared to 2014 | |
National trademark applications | 8 434 | + 2 % (8 270) |
– submitted by domestic applicants | 7 848 | + 3 % (7 643) |
– submitted by foreign application | 586 | - 7 % (627) |
International trademarks with designation of CZ according to Madrid Agreement and the Protocol | 1 960 | + 7 % (1 838) |
– according to the Madrid Agreement | 0 | * |
– according to Protocol | 1959 | * |
– according to the Madrid Agreement and to the Protocol | 1 | * |
National trademarks registered | 7 280 | - 10 % (8 067) |
Grant of protection relating to international trademarks | 1 957 | – 5 % (2 060) |
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
In 2015 the average registration procedure time period was 10,6 months from the date of submitting the trademark registration application. This time period includes formal and substantive examination of the applications, technical procedure concerning the preparation for publication, three month statutory time limit for opposition and registration time. In comparison with 2014 the registration procedure has been slightly shortened. At the same time, there is a growth of decisions related to pending applications.
Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.
Statistics
Since 2000 the Annual Reports and statistics have been available at the Office’s website:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/annual-report/annual-report.html
The Bulletin: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html
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The helpdesk mailto: helpdesk@upv.cz
List of news and events:
http://www.upv.cz/en/ipo/current-news/actual.html
Electronic filing of trademark applications:
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/on-line-filing.html
Element of proceedings:
http://isdv.upv.cz/portal/pls/portal/portlets.rejst.formular?lan=en
Legislation related to all IP rights:
http://www.upv.cz/en/legislation.html
FAQ:
http://www.upv.cz/en/information-sources/faq.html
Search service – trademark database (IPO, WIPO, OHIM) (basic search/advanced search):
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases.html
Use of electronic classification systems to check the classification symbols classified by an applicant and contained in the lists of goods and/or services:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--trade-marks.htmlhtm
II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
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Trademark classification system:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--trade-marks.html
Classification and reclassification activities; classification systems used, e.g., International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification), International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks (Vienna Classification), other classification
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In order to assist the applicants in the orientation in the above mentioned trademark classifications, classification systems are displayed on the web site of the IPO CZ (http://www.upv.cz/en.html) too.
Use of electronic classification systems and pre-defined terms of the classification applied
Information on classification system
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http://upv.cz/en/client-services/information-services/information-and-consultation-centers.html
Publications:
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications.html
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Survey of the published applications of the coloured colored trademarks
Mass storage media and microforms used
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Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)
Other sources
Access to online trademark bulletin and to other sources of trademark information, including download of bulk trademark data
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The Official Bulletin URL
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html
The public database URL:
http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases.html
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Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office
Workstations - HP, processor Intel Pentium 4, Core2Duo, Core I3 and Core I5, RAM 1- 4 GB, HDD 160 - 250 GB. 300 workstations connected in the Office network are of the Office staff direct service. Thereof 50 computers connected in the Office network are intended for the clients of the Office and staff training service The Office uses the ETHERNET network and computers run WINDOWS Seven operating system. MS OFFICE – 2003/2007/2010/2013 software. The Office uses CD, DVD and magnetic tapes as data mediums.
Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources
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In-house systems (online/offline)
The Office maintains an in-house search database of all trademark applications and registered trademarks with effect for Czech Republic (national, EUTM (formerly) CTM), WIPO). The database is not accessible to the public but its structure corresponds to the public database.
External External databases
The The Office provides free access to the database comprising the data concerning not only the Czech national trademarks but also the international trademarks (applied for or registered) valid valid in the territory of the Czech Republic or EU, WIPO – 6ter and the Community trademarks applied for or registered by the EUIPO at the IPO CZ website http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases.html
The Office and users can also perform searches in the publicly accessible databases provided freely on the Internet by the other national offices. The Office also regularly uses the “eSearch plus (previously CTM Online” database) and TMview database both maintained by EUIPO and the “ROMARIN” database (maintained by WIPO) which contains the international trademarks. Other national databases provided freely on the Internet are used as well. The links to these databases are provided at the Office´s web site (http://www.upv.cz/en.html)
Last Last but not least the commercial database Corsearch (Wolters Kluwer) is used by the Office under contract and the access is paid.
Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file
Since 1996 a paper search file has neither been maintained nor used. Since January 2014, the IPO is currently using “SyPP”, version 2.0, (industrial property rights system) automation system for trademarks for file building. Public databases are updated automatically only. Trademark register is kept in an electronic form only.
The Office uses the internal information system SYPP2(starting from January 2014) to proceed the applications of patents, supplementary patent certificates, utility models, industrial designs, trademarks and geographical indications. The system has been developed since 2011 as a major upgrade of previous version SYPP which was used from 2004 until 2013. The new application is more flexible, based on Oracle Forms with easier maintaining and more flexible data structure. Data are stored in xml format including the history. The system is also more user-friendly. The system is connected connected with central registers of the Czech Republic (ISZR). The project was co-financed by the European fund for regional development within the EU project Enforcement of Industrial Property Rights..The system enables to maintain official registers of all the industrial property rights. Furthermore it archives all incoming and outgoing communications of the Office, provides the information on the state of proceeding, legal status of registrations and statistical data. The Document Management System (DMS) is integrated as well.. The system also processes international trademarks with designation of the Czech Republic and international trademark applications, where the IPO is the office of origin pursuant to the Madrid agreement and Protocol. The data are transferred to the electronic Office’s Bulletin and to the public search database. The system is is compatible with electronic filing recognizing authorized electronic certificates. The on-line filing system was launched in August 2006, the current version of on-line filing system was released in September 2009. Starting from January 2008, the system produces automatic electronic extracts from registers upon online request.
Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)
Planning, administration, automation, security
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Applications for trademark registrations can be filed by post, in person, by fax, via data box (an upload up to 10 MB) or electronically (with electronic signature an upload up to 20 MB) to the Office. Wide range of other communications may be submitted electronically via user-friendly interface (an upload up to 20 MB).
Bibliographic details of applications are entered into SyPP2 manually if the application is filed in paper form or automatically if the application is filed via online filing facility. The applicants receive confirmation of filing via post upon their request or electronically if application is filed online. The application file can be inspected after publishing the registration via the Office´s web site http://isdv.upv.cz/portal/pls/portal/portlets.rejst.formular?lan=en
Collection management, preservation
Extended safety is secured via SSL.
Backing Backing up of data changes is done twice a week. Full back up of data is on weekly basis. Backed up files are preserved for 4 weeks.
Information services available to the public
The information centre and the helpdesk operate during the working days. They provide general information concerning the industrial property rights.
Trademark information services for the public are provided within the information centre, in the public reading room, common questions can be addressed to the helpdesk (helpdesk@upv.cz) and search requests to the search section. The Office received a total of
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137 trademark search requests in 2015.(Since 2014 there has been a change in the methodology of statistical records of searches). A total of
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1 187 searches (for patents, designs, trademarks) was provided for the State administrative bodies.
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The Office provides full range of brochures and leaflets free of charge. They can be downloaded in PDF format from the Office´s web site, taken in the office headquarters or sent upon request. The Office publishes its own books and the Industrial Property Journal (6 issues per year) reflecting the current issues of IP rights.
Other matters
V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION
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Office's library (if deals with trademark information): equipment, collection management, network of libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign libraries
Patent library stores the trademark bulletins collection (Czech and foreign bulletins). Information about trademarks valid in the territory of the Czech Republic is accessible accessible via public database which which can be consulted in the public public reading room equipped with PC workstations available for visitors. The database contains information about trademarks applied for nationally (IPO CZ), internationally (WIPO with designation for the CR or EU) or european European trademarks (EUIPO).
The The Office cooperates with Regional Patent Information Centres (PATLIBs) on information product dissemination.
Publications related to different business procedures and trademark information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.
The Office provides full range all IP kinds dedicated brochures, leaflets and guides free of charge. They can be downloaded in PDF format from the Office´s web site http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/information-brochures/information-brochures.html, picked up in the office headquarters or sent upon request. The leaflet and comics books on the topics of patents, trademarks and copyright for children and youth
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can be downloaded in a special web section for youth
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All the materials are distributed to visitors during fairs. The Office publishes its own books.
The The Industrial Property Journal reflecting the current issues of IP rights is published six times a year.
Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
Cooperation Cooperation with Metropolitan University Prague on training in a bachelor´s programme in „Industrial Property“ "Industrial Property" and a master´s programme in „International "International and Regional Relations in Industrial Property“Property". Lectures were held at a number of innovation and technology centres.
The IPO CZ also cooperates with other universities. There are seminars and educational activities (various topics) for students and academic staff organised in Office’s premises or in university headquarters. University students are also regularly invited for excursions and guided tours in the Office’s premises.
Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
The The IPO CZ regularly organizes wide range of training courses and seminars - such as Trademark - National and International Legal Protection, Searches in the National and Foreign Trademark Databases, IP Protection and National (CZ) and International Systems of IP Protection, Intellectual Property Protection in Business (SMEs), Technology Transfer, Enforcement of Intellectual Rights, IP Jurisdiction (administrative and judicial issues). All the educational activities are organized for public, mainly for students, academic staff of universities, representatives of SMEs or research institutions and IP professionals.
Every year, a two-year distance study learning of industrial property rights begins within the Industrial Property Training Institute – Office's own educational facility. . 27 students completed their studies in 2015.
The Office cooperates with EUIPO EUIPO Academy on providing training and education.
The Office presented its information activities and products at the following exhibitions and trade fairs:
57th International Engineering Fair (Brno, CZ)
14th International Trade Fair of Engineering Technologies FOR INDUSTRY 2014 (Prague, CZ)
7th Trade Fair for Furniture, interiors and Home Accessories FOR INTERIOR 2015 (Prague, CZ)
Innovation 2015 (Prague, CZ)
43st International Exhibition of Inventions (Geneva, CH)
Other activities
As part of cooperation with the Police and Customs Administration of the Czech Republic, 4 seminars devoted specially to patent databases, design and trademark information were organised.
In the framework of the IP Key project
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was organised Seminars on trademark system in China.
Another event -
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the seminar on Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks was organised in cooperation with the WIPO. Each seminar had nearly 100 participants.
The IPO CZ continued in its activities for children and youth (elementary school pupils and secondary school students). The Office offers to them short training sessions on industrial rights, guided field trips to the Office's headquarters and an example search in databases, as well as courses for teachers interested in adding the topic of industrial rights to their curricula.
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A special section for youth is maintained
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on the IPO CZ website. The leaflet and comics books on the topics of patents, trademarks and copyright can be downloaded in this section. . All the materials mentioned are also available for children and youth during their excursions to the IPO or during the fairs and exhibitions.
The IPO also kept on cooperating with the RVP.CZ Methodological Portal, operated by the National Institute for Education to support of teachers.
presentation presentation of the Amazing Physics Theatre Theater group- (UDiF) was held on World Intellectual Property Day (26 April), 4 May 2015 together with a discussion on intellectual property. About More than 200 students of secondary schools schools 320 6th- to 9th-grades students attended the program.
The Office has been continuing to take part in the project
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"Hrajeme si hlavou" (Let´s play with our mind) which popularises technical fields and motivates students of elementary schools toward technical education.
The Office presented itself at several events for students at elementary schools:
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"Science Week at Jaderka", held by the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in May. The event was attended by secondary school students from across the Czech Republic. In the program, Office representatives performed the presentation „Ideas in the Net - Get Inspired,” and introduced students to the system of industrial property rights, and national and international patent and utility model databases.
The Office was represented by its own stand at the Science and Research Trade Fair, organized by Palacký University Olomouc in June.
The Office had a stand at the
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"Science Fair" held in Prague in September, where universities, scientific institutions and industrial companies were exhibiting. At the stand
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were offered informational materials, quizzes and memory games, examples of database searches were also presented. Panels with examples of inventions in various fields were prepared. The fair was attended by 16,000 pupils and students.
The Office took part in the All-University Open Day at the VSB-Technical University of Ostrava in November. Representatives of the Office showed pupils and students databases and search methods, offered quizzes and informational materials. More than 1,500 visitors took part in the event.
VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION
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International exchange of trademark information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes)
The Official Bulletin of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic has been published exclusively electronically since the beginning 2007. The Official Bulletin is published on a weekly basis (updated every Wednesday) instead of the monthly basis as before. The paper version has been discontinued.
Electronic version of the Official Bulletin has been available since 2000 (Czech version, English version has been available since 2007) and accessible at the Office’s web site:
http://www.upv.cz/cs/publikace/vestnik-upv.html (Czech version)
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html (English version)
Various courses and seminars were organized for students and representatives of SMEs or research institutions; Groups of university students were accepted for for excursions and guided tour in the Office’s Office’s premises.
Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to trademark information
The Office continued its cooperation with the Europen European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and took part in a number of multilateral projects. The IPO CZ has been included in a group of so called harmonized participants in the TMclass – Harmonized Database of Products and Services project, The complete TMclass database for classifying products and services has been made accessible to users in the Czech language. The IPO CZ was also participating in the TMview project, which has as its goal to provide users free-of-charge access to information on trademarks valid in participating states through a unified search interface.
Assistance to developing countries
Other activities
The The Industrial Property Office continued to fulfil fulfill responsibilities resulting from the Czech Republic's membership in the European Union especially related to the area of industrial property protection. It participated in the meetings of the EU Council Working Group on Intellectual Property.
In 2014 the first results of the Convergence Program organized by EUIPO were put into practice; its goal is the harmonization of decision practice in the trademark areas in the European Union. This is especially with regards to changes in the approach to the classification of goods and services for the purposes of registering trademarks from the point of view of assessing the specificity and accuracy of terms used, the active participation of National Offices in the setting-up and management of the TM Class common database of goods and services, the assessment of the scope of protection of black and white trademarks, and the assessment of relative grounds
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for rejecting trademark applications.
The The cooperation has continued in 2015 with the Convergence Program, which was related to distinctiveness of the trademarks containing descriptive/non-distinctive word components.
VII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS
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