Annual Technical Report on Trademark Information Activities in 2023 submitted by Bulgaria/Patent Office

Please provide links to your website where the requested information can be found in English, French, or Spanish.  Alternately, you may provide text responses instead of URLs if desired.  If the information is not available on your website in an ATR language, then please provide text.

URLs in responses should meet the following requirements:

I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADEMARK INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of trademark information activities and expected time frames for their realization

As for 2023 BPO still uses databases as follows:

  • BPO On-line – online tool for searching national trademarks and applications. It provides a range of search options including name of applicant or holder, Nice classes, Vienna classes, application filing date, registration date, application and registration number, TM denomination etc. It is in constant relation with the administrative system and database;
  • IPAS – administrative management system storing the bibliographic data and images of national trademarks. All the documents are scanned and attached to the electronic dossier of the trademark;
  • MADRID MONITOR – database to search detailed information on all international marks recorded under WIPO's Madrid System;
  • TMview – online trade mark search tool, is an online consultation tool allowing any Internet user to search, free of charge, for national, international and community trademarks of all trade mark offices involved in the initiative;
  • TMclass – free online tool to search, translate or classify goods and services when applying for trademarks. TMclass is a central point from which it is possible to access the terms that appear in the classification databases of each of the offices participating in the initiative;
  • Publications of information for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – the purpose of this section is to raise SMEs' awareness of industrial property and the institutions related to its protection; to promote the experience of SMEs (Bulgarian and foreign) for the active use of the industrial property system and to stimulate the innovation activity of SMEs in order to increase their competitiveness in national and international terms.

New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks

For the second year in a row, BPO, together with the Office of the European Union for Intellectual Property, has announced the start for 2023 of applications for a grant scheme under the Fund for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The fund guarantees up to 75% reimbursement of fees for registration, expertise, publications, etc. of trademarks.

Main areas of trademark information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year

In 2023, BPO continued the maintenance of the registers and information systems of the Bulgarian Patent Office. As a result of the actions taken in the previous years to develop, maintain and upgrade the Portal for electronic services and registers of the Patent Office, at the end of 2022 it became a fully electronic institution offering about 200 electronic services. In 2023, efforts were made to comprehensively develop and improve the informational infrastructures and the front office system. For all existing services, new functionalities have been created and integrated, aimed both at facilitating users and precisely directing incoming correspondence to specific files in the Department, in order to speed up the document turnover and increase the quality of service.

Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and registrations with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes

 In 2023, the Bulgarian Patent Office received in total 3558 trademark applications under national procedure. The applications from domestic applicants are 3 144  and 414 are from foreigners.

The BPO has sent 220 applications for international registration of Bulgarian trademarks under the Protocol to Madrid Agreement and 2 applications for designations subsequent to registration.

In 2023, the Bulgarian Patent Office received in total 261 oppositions, 240 of which are against national registrations and 21 - against international registrations designating Bulgaria.

After completing formal examinations the Office issued 3 188 positive decisions concerning the grant of trademark protection rights under national procedure. The Office issued 1012 final decisions concerning the grant of protection of international registrations designating Bulgaria.

Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.

https://www.bpo.bg/en/about/statistika

https://www.bpo.bg/en/about/otcheti/godishen-otchet

II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) – URLs

The BPO information and support options in 2023 included:

Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

Customers using the BPO On-line have access to the application files sent by them electronically to the BPO. Also all the documents related to the application can be seen electronically by the applicant.

Matters concerning classifying

  • 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
  • (ii) Use of electronic classification systems and pre-defined terms of the classification applied

Goods and services for the registration of marks and the figurative elements of marks are classified by our Office using the Nice International Classification of Goods and Services and the Vienna International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks in their latest editions. They are maintained and used electronically. During the procedure, the Office's staff amends the goods and services.

The use of pre-defined terms of the Nice classification is only recommended when applying for registration of marks and geographic indications.

Matters concerning processing of different types of non-traditional marks (e.g., three-dimensional, motion, hologram, color mark, etc.)

n/a

III. SOURCES OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Main types of publications in the field of trademark information, outline of the content and medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URLs)

In 2023, the following publications were issued:

  • The Official Bulletin

The Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria (BPO) publishes applications for national trademarks and registered national trademarks as well as international trademarks designating the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Official Bulletin. From October 2017, the Official Bulletin of the Office is published two times a month. As from April 2009 the paper version of the Bulletin has been discontinued and nowadays it is published exclusively in electronic form on the Office's official web site.

Official Bulletin: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online, URL), etc.

The publications in the Official Bulletin comprise bibliographic data and images (in color, if claimed) of national trademark applications and registrations as well as international trademarks registrations designating Bulgaria. For the year 2023 24 Official Bulletins were published.

Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external documentation and databases

Internal databases (online/offline):

  • IPAS – administrative system and database;
  • BPO On-line – web-based service for public access to information of the applications and registered trademarks in BPO.

External databases:

  • School of INN – https://extranet.who.int/soinn/, World Health Organisation Intenational Nonpoprietary Programme initiative, free of charge;
  • MADRID MONITOR – database to search detailed information on all international marks recorded under WIPO's Madrid System;
  • E-Search Plus (EUIPO) – https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/, free of charge;
  • TMview – online trade mark search tool, is an online consultation tool allowing any Internet user to search, free of charge, for national, international and community trademarks of all trade mark offices involved in the initiative (available on page: https://www.tmdn.org/tmview/welcome?lang=bg, free of charge);
  • Article 6ter express database (WIPO) – http://www.wipo.int/ipdl/en/6ter/, free of charge;
  • eAmbrosia – public database for geographical indications for agri-food products, wine and spirit drinks registered and protected in the European Union (https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eambrosia/geographical-indications-register/), free of charge;
  • Community Plant Variety Protection – CPVO (http://cpvo.europa.eu/), free of charge;
  • The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) (http://www.upov.int/pluto/en/), free of charge;
  • CESTO (Common Examiner Support Tool) - search system for examiners;
  • Lisbon Express Structured Search – public database for appellations of origin and geographical indications;
  • Lists of National Heritage Sites with national and worldwide significance (http://ninkn.bg/Documents/categoryPreview/13) - public information about National Heritage Sites, compiled on a territorial basis.

Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) and services available to external users; conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)

BPO Online – https://portal.bpo.bg/

BPO also provides access to trademark data in the reading room where external users can search in online databases and databases on CD and DVD.

Paid information services on request available to the public through the Patent Office are as follows: Identity and similarity search; Searches related to the legal status; Searches on names; Complex searches, Number search on mark, Search on CTMs and marks under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol; Issuing of certificates for legal status.

All the searches are carried in house and in the available collections of national marks, international marks and CTMs, 6 ter, etc. The security is based on a different level of access.

The trademark information is accessible on the World Wide Web of BPO through the online search system for Trademarks – "BPO ON-LINE".

The Central Patent Library provides to the public access to the Official Bulletins from foreign countries, to the CD collections and Internet databases containing trademark information.

Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)

In order to make entries on the legal status of exclusive rights protected on the territory of Bulgaria, every person should submit relevant application and pay a fee to the account of the Office. Clients, customers and/or users can also obtain excerpts from the register.

IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements

CESTO is an automated and harmonized search tool which performs searches for any given trade mark application and in turn provides information in relation to similar trade marks from an array of national offices (who have their trade marks in TMview), similar trade marks from the same or similar owners from the same array of offices, emblems and other heraldic devices held by WIPO, Geographical Indications at EU and national level, International Non-Proprietary Names for active pharmaceutical ingredients from WHO, as well as any specific information as provided by the national offices and the EUIPO (on a dashboard).

IPAS is administrative management system storing the bibliographic data and images of national trademarks. All the documents are scanned and attached to the electronic dossier of the trademark. It is linked to other databases and systems in BPO.

Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office

Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

The trademarks search file (bibliographic data) is managed in electronic form. Data is extracted and updated simultaneously from our administrative management system IPAS. A structured backup regime is in place to ensure preservation of the information.

Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file

File Building

The dossiers of the national trademarks are stored, in two separate collections: Registered trademarks – in numerical order under the registration number; Refused trademarks – in numerical order under the application number. The dossiers of the international trademarks designating Bulgaria are stored in numerical order under the number of the international registration – MI (marques internationales) documents. The dossiers of the international registrations with a subsequent territorial extension for Bulgaria (so called ET ”extension territoriale” documents) are given a separate number forming part of a sequential numbering system and are stored in numerical order.

The dossiers of the trademark applications filed by Bulgarian applicants via the Madrid system are given a separate number forming part of a sequential numbering system and are stored in numerical order. In addition, a correspondence list including the corresponding numbers of the international registrations is available as well.

Updating

The files are regularly updated.

Storage, including mass storage media

BPO maintains all data concerning applications and registered trademarks on paper carrier (dossiers) or in electronic form in the administrative management system IPAS. All the documents from the year 2023 are available in electronic form in the administrative management system IPAS.

Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)

In the field of trademarks, BPO uses IPAS as an administrative management system.

V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

In order to support the development of initiatives in the field of industrial property, BPO is engaged in a number of joint projects and seminars aimed at a variety of target groups. In addition to this, the Office also facilitates the exchange of information and provides access to relevant data on industrial property objects.

On 31 January 2023, BPO in collaboration with EUIPO organized an online seminar which presented information regarding SME Fund, especially in regards to protecting trademarks and industrial design - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/pokana-za-onlayn-seminar-na-31012023-g-otnosno-fonda-za-msp

On April 6 and 7, 2023, in the hall of the Central Patent Library, a training for students and teachers was held on the topic of "Trademark and industrial design - a sign of competitiveness", organized by the Patent Office - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-provede-obuchenie-za-uchenitsi-i-uchiteli-na-tema-targovskata-marka-i-promishleniyat-dizayn-znak-za-konkurentosposobnost

On 21 April 2023, BAIT, in collaboration with BPO, conducted a seminar for its members on the subject of intellectual property objects, including patents, utility models, and trademarks - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-i-bait-organiziraha-semenar-za-chlenovete-na-organizatsiyata.

On 26 April 2023, BPO in collaboration with EUIPO, organized a seminar on "Geographical indications for agricultural and non-agricultural products - challenges and changes" on the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-otbelyazva-na-26-april-2023-g-svetovniya-den-na-intelektualnata-sobstvenost

On 17 May 2023, BPO together with the Municipality of Targovishte, organized a media event "Information Day" for the presentation of the "European Network of Authenticities" project - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/informatsionen-den-evropeyska-mrezha-za-avtentichnosti-se-provede-v-targovishte

On 14 and 15 June 2023, the fifth International IP Enforcement Summit took place in Sofia, Bulgaria. The summit was organized by EUIPO, European Commission, together with the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria - host of the event - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/doklad-na-sesis-za-provedeniya-v-sofiya-ip-enforcement-summit-2023?highlight=ip%20enforcement%20summit  and https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/razvitieto-na-tehnologiite-i-ulesneno-dvizhenie-na-stoki-iziskvat-savmestni-usiliya-za-zashtitata-na-intelektualnata-sobstvenost

On 26 June 2023, EUIPO in collaboration with BPO, held the seminar "The importance of intellectual property for SMEs", in which BPO experts presented information, including IP Scan and the “Easy Filing” service - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-savmestno-s-sesis-organizira-onlayn-seminar-znachenieto-na-intelektualnata-sobstvenost-za-msp

On 27 June 2023, BPO together with Burgas Municipality, organized a media event "Information Day" to present the "European Network of Authenticities" project - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/informatsionen-den-evropeyska-mrezha-na-avtentichnostite-se-provede-v-burgas

On 29 June 2023, BPO together with the Municipality of Targovishte organized a training seminar as part of the "European Network of Authenticities" project, with the focus of raising awareness about the harmful economic effects of the counterfeiting of goods and products and the measures needed to combat counterfeiting - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/obuchitelen-seminar-evropeyska-mrezha-na-avtentichnostite-se-provede-v-targovishte

On 30 June 2023, BPO together with the Municipality of Targovishte held a second training as part of the “European Network of Authenticities” project, aimed at local enforcement and law enforcement authorities - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/obuchitelen-seminar-evropeyska-mrezha-na-avtentichnostite-po-vaprosite-na-falshifitsiraneto-na-stoki-i-uslugi-se-provede-v-targovishte  

On 27 and 28 September 2023, in Burgas were held training seminars under the project " European Network of Authenticities", organized by BPO in cooperation with the Municipality of Burgas, which hosted the event - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-provede-v-burgas-obuchitelni-seminari-po-proekta-evropeyska-mrezha-na-avtentichnostite

On 29 September 2023, BPO organized an online seminar presenting information regarding the SME Fund and the opportunities it presents, with the main topic "SME Fund - protect your industrial property" - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-na-republika-balgariya-organizira-uebinar-na-tema-fond-za-msp-zashtitete-industrialnata-si-sobstvenost  

On 4 October 2023, BPO collaborated with EUIPO with the organization of “IPforYou” webinar, where experts from both offices gave presentations on intellectual property (IP) topics related to trademarks and industrial designs, as well as information on the EUIPO SME Fund - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/pokana-za-registratsiya-za-uebinar-ip-for-you  

On 10 October 2023, BPO released supplementary videos in regards to ECP7 on the topic of Trademark Directive - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/videoklipove-za-reformata-v-oblastta-na-targovskite-marki-kakvo-se-e-promenilo-za-pritezhatelite-na-prava-varhu-marki-v-opredeleni-yurisdiktsii  

On 31 October 2023, a training seminar on "Intellectual property - the key to successful business" was held by the BPO and the Sofia University Hub in collaboration with EUIPO - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/seminar-na-tema-intelektualnata-sobstvenost-klyuchat-kam-uspeshniya-biznes  

In the period between 2 and 5 of November 2023, BPO presented audio recordings of ten interviews conducted with Radio Nova News, in which experts from BPO answer questions regarding trademark and industrial design - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/audio-zapisi-na-intervyuta-v-radio-nova-news-s-eksperti-na-patentno-vedomstvo

On 17 November 2023, in the hall of the Central Patent Library was held a training on "Trademark and industrial design as a tool for business communication in social networks", organized by BPO - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-provede-obuchenie-na-tema-targovskata-marka-i-promishleniyat-dizayn-kato-sredstvo-za-biznes-komunikatsiya-v-sotsialnite-mrezhi

On 24 November 2023, BPO organized a webinar on the topic of "Upcoming amendments to the Design Regulation and their effect on filing" - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/registratsiya-za-uchastie-v-uebinar-na-tema-predstoyashtite-izmeneniya-v-zakona-za-dizayna-i-tehniya-rezultat-varhu-podavaneto-na-zayavka-organiziran-ot-patentno-vedomstvo-na-republika-balgariya  

On 30 November 2023, BPO in collaboration with EUIPO, held a seminar on "IP Management- intellectual property for the benefit of business", in which representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, IPRs (industrial property representatives) and students were introduced to activities and measures for the protection of trademark and industrial design rights, as well as grant funding offered by the SME Fund - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-provede-seminar-na-tema-ip-management-intelektualnata-sobstvenost-v-polza-na-biznes  

On 1 December 2023, EUIPO in collaboration with BPO, organized a webinar regarding ECP7 on the Trademark Directive - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/novini-2023/patentno-vedomstvo-na-republika-balgariya-predstavya-na-vnimanieto-na-vsichki-zainteresovani-litsa-informatsiya-za-predstoyasht-uebinar-po-proekt-ecp7-na-tema-direktiva-za-targovskite-marki-2023

VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

International exchange of trademark information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Bulletin)

The activity of the Bulgarian Patent Office in terms of international cooperation is directly related to Bulgaria's membership in international organizations in the field of intellectual property protection – the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the European Union Office for Intellectual Property (EUIPO). Enhanced bilateral cooperation with institutions in the field of intellectual property of other countries has also been carried out.

Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to trademark information.

See point V above

VII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS