Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2025 submitted by Bulgaria/ Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria

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 PATENT INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

In the framework of continuous harmonization with European Union legislation and the broader international legal framework in the field of patents, the Bulgarian Patent Office (BPO) has steadily advanced its strategic objectives, building upon the foundational milestones of recent years. Following the formalization of key international instruments, the Office remains fully dedicated to the responsible integration of modern global standards into the domestic legal order, ensuring a robust, predictable, and highly efficient ecosystem for intellectual property rights.

Through its statutory functions and policies aimed at promoting innovation, competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and economic growth, the BPO seeks to ensure timely and effective protection of industrial property rights. The Office continues to make sustained efforts to accelerate examination procedures while maintaining the highest standards of quality. In recent years, particular emphasis has been placed on reducing the duration of patent application proceedings. As a result, in 2025 the average processing time was reduced to less than 24 months.

In parallel with the above, the BPO has maintained its strong presence and proactive stance on the global stage. Throughout the period, BPO experts and representatives have actively participated in the vital work of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) committees. This includes sustained engagement within the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP), Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Committee for Technical Cooperation, PCT Working Group and IPC Revision Working Group, and the subsequent technical frameworks shaping the international patent landscape. Through these efforts, the Republic of Bulgaria remains firmly committed to supporting international dialogue, fostering administrative cooperation, and advancing the global protection of patents.

In connection with aligning the secondary legislation with the requirements of the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria and the National Plan for the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, a new Tariff of Fees Collected by the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria was adopted during the reporting period. The Tariff was adopted by Decree № 13 of the Council of Ministers dated 27th February 2025, published in the State Gazette № 18 of 4th March 2025, and enters into force on the date of the introduction of the euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, effective from 1st January 2026.

Pursuant to the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria and the National Plan for the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, a Price List of Services Provided to the Public by the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria was approved by an order of the President of the Patent Office dated 6 August 2025. In accordance with § 4 of Decree № 13 of the Council of Ministers dated 27 February 2025, the approved Price List was published in the unofficial section of the State Gazette, № 104 of 5 December 2025.


The Bulgarian Patent Office uses the following databases and information systems:

  • BPO Online – online search tool for national patent applications, granted patents, registered utility models, validated European patents and SPC’s. It supports searching by applicant/holder, IPC class, filing date, registration date, application number and registration number, etc. The database is integrated with the Office's administrative system.
  • IPAS – administrative management system storing bibliographic data, patent specifications, and electronic case files. All documents are scanned and attached to the electronic design dossier.
  • ANSERA Search Tool – a cloud-based patent search engine developed by the European Patent Office (EPO).
  • Espacenet, PATENTSCOPE and all available open-access search resources.

 

During 2025, the Bulgarian Patent Office continued the maintenance of its registers and information systems supporting patent administration and information services.

Information materials were published electronically, including:

  • official announcements;
  • Office news;
  • statistical information;
  • project information;
  • industrial property information;
  • other public information resources.

 

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

During 2025 reporting period, the Bulgarian Patent Office optimized its administrative efficiency, reducing the average patent examination duration to 24 months in 2025, down from 27 months in 2024, while utility model processing stabilized at 60 days. In 2025, the office received 478 applications for patents and utility models -comprising 194 inventions and 284 utility models - marking an 8.6% overall decrease from 2024. The number of patent applications increased slightly by 4.3% compared with 2024. Domestic filings constituted 93% of invention applications, with university submissions surging by 133%, whereas legal entities drove 52% of utility model activity (pp. 7-8, 12). The increaseд number of patent applications filed by universities may be attributed to the strengthened cooperation between the BPO and universities in recent years, as well as to the launch of funding programmes aimed at supporting their innovation activities. Technical fields were led by electrical engineering for inventions (41%) and mechanical engineering for utility models (44%). The office issued 243 decisions for patents (139 granted) and 240 for utility models (189 registered), bringing the active national registry to 602 patents and 1,713 utility models by year-end.

In 2025, a total of 47 applications for Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) were filed, of which 46 concerned medicinal products and 1 concerned a plant protection product. This represents an increase of two applications compared with 2024, equivalent to a 4% year-on-year increase.

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

Applicants receive information and support through:

Users of BPO Online have access to the applications they have filed electronically.

Applicants can also view electronically all documents related to their patent applications.

In June 2025, the Bulgarian Patent Office has launched a fully redesigned electronic portal based on the EUIPO User Area platform. The new system offers enhanced e-services, online payments, draft-saving, OS-independent e-signatures, improved electronic registers, and direct access to major international IP databases.

From August 2025, the portal also includes a new "Correspondence from the BPO" section, providing users with centralized access to all outgoing correspondence related to electronically filed IP applications and subsequent actions.

Information on the activities of BPO, applicable law and regulations, instructions and links to guidelines for filing various types of documents in connection with patent and utility model procedures is available in Bulgarian and English at www.bpo.bg


Patent and utility model applications are classified under the International Patent Classification (IPC) and the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC).


English translations of abstracts are prepared for patent and utility model applications.


In 2025, the BPO has successfully introduced processes for the comprehensive processing of data provided to the European Patent Office (EPO), to ensure full-text search functionality in patent databases.

BPO offers the option of filing patent and utility model applications both in paper format and via electronic filing through the e-services portal: https://portal.bpo.bg .

Submission of patent applications and utility model applications via the e-services portal requires prior registration. Registration is not required when requesting a preliminary examination and/or a reference for an industrial property object.


An electronic fee calculator is available to automatically calculate the fees payable in patent and utility model proceedings for services provided electronically: https://portal.bpo.bg/tax-calculator/

III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

The Official bulletin is published electronically twice a month. It may be accessed at: https://portal.bpo.bg/bpo-journal

Since October 2017, the Official Bulletin of the Office is published two times a month. Since 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 website.

The publications in the Official Bulletin comprise bibliographic data and images (in color, if claimed) of national industrial design applications and registrations. Moreover, announcements concerning all entries in the State Industrial Patent Register – changes in the legal status, renewals, modifications, cancellations, transfers of rights, license agreements etc., have been published regularly in the Bulletin.

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

Internal databases (online/offline):

  • IPAS – administrative system and database
  • BPO Online – web-based service for public access to information of the published patent applications, granted patents, registered utility models validated European patents and SPC’s in BPO.

External databases:

  • ANSERA Search Tool – a cloud-based patent search engine developed by the European Patent Office (EPO).

Espacenet- a free online patent search platform developed by the European Patent Office.

PATENTSCOPE- a free global patent search platform developed and maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organization

Non-patent literature sources

 

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 patent data in the reading room where external users can search in online databases and databases on storage drives.

Paid information services on request are available to the public through the Patent Office.

Electronic information services include:

  • legal status searches;
  • name searches;
  • theme searches;
  • patent number searches;
  • prior art searches, novelty and inventive step searches, including report and written opinion on patentability;
  • freedom to operate searches;
  • legal status certificates.

The patent information is accessible on the World Wide Web of BPO through the online search system for patents – "BPO ONLINE".

Patent information is available through the BPO Online search system.

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

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

To record changes in the legal status of exclusive rights protected in Bulgaria, applicants must submit the relevant application and pay the prescribed fee to the Office. Users may also obtain excerpts from the register.

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

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

Industrial Property Administration System (IPAS) is software developed and owned by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). At the same time, it is constantly being upgraded with new functionalities to facilitate the work of experts in the office.

Document Management System (DMS) is a system used to administer incoming, outgoing and internal documents, while at the same time it is linked to IPAS. It manages correspondence with applicants and other activities related to the work of the office.

Hardware used to support business processes of the Office

  • Desktop and Laptop Computers – used by employees for daily tasks such as communication, document processing, data entry, etc.
  • Servers – host internal systems, applications, databases, and file storage.
  • Network Equipment – routers, switches, and firewalls ensure secure and stable internet and intranet connectivity.
  • Printers and Scanners – for handling physical documents.
  • VoIP Phones / Communication Devices – for internal and external communication.
  • Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and diesel power generator – to protect critical systems from power outages.
  • External Storage Devices – for backups or data transfer.

Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

Internal databases are created form IPAS and DMS. Data is extracted and updated simultaneously from the systems. A structured backup regime is in place to ensure preservation of the information.

The systems are connected to external sources such as EPO, WIPO, Espacenet, etc.

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

File Building

The electronic search file includes documents from national applications for all IP objects created by the e-filing system and automatically generated into the back-office system as a electronic dossier with application number and any other related information.

Applications made in paper format from the applicants are also uploaded into the back-office systems manually.

Updating

The files are regularly updated via automatic services or manually when needed.

Storage, including mass storage media

All documents are stored on secure servers and external storage devices (backup servers) with backup copies and indexing mechanisms.

Old (paper) dossiers related to IP objects are scanned and processed with OCR and uploaded into internal search tool, making it possible for the experts to search directly into the document text if needed.

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

In the field of all IP objects, BPO uses IPAS as an administrative management system which functions also like Register system, Legal status module, Statistics module and Administrative support tools.

The system is completely internal resource, with secure user access and audit trails. It updates the data in the public registry via API’s, which helps the applicants and users see public information about the IP objects.

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

On 4 February 2025, the BPO shared information on a new EPO study on emerging oncology technologies, published ahead of World Cancer Day. The activity promoted access to patent-based information on cancer-related innovation, diagnosis and treatment technologies, and highlighted the role of patent data in understanding technological trends and Europe’s position in the oncology innovation ecosystem. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/novo-izsledvane-na-evropeyskoto-patentno-vedomstvo-predi-svetovniya-den-za-borba-s-raka

On 4 February 2025, the BPO signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Medical University - Pleven. The cooperation is aimed at supporting research, development, protection and commercialisation of intellectual property created by the university, thereby promoting the practical use of patent protection and patent information in medical and scientific research. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentno-vedomstvo-podpisa-memorandum-za-satrudnichestvo-s-meditsinskiya-universitet-pleven

On 10 February 2025, the BPO disseminated information on the EPO Patent and Technology Observatory study “Mapping investors for European innovators”. The publication introduced the Technology Investor Score (TIS), supporting start-ups and innovators in identifying technology-focused investors and demonstrating the importance of patent information for innovation financing and commercialisation. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/novina-epv-kartografirane-na-investitori-za-evropeyski-inovatori

On 19 March 2025, the BPO shared information on the public consultation concerning the EPO Patent and Technology Observatory work plan for 2026 and 2027. The activity promoted stakeholder involvement in shaping future patent-information priorities and supported wider access to initiatives related to patent analytics, technology trends and innovation policy. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/obshtestvena-konsultatsiya-otnosno-rabotniya-plan-na-observatoriyata-za-patenti-i-tehnologii-na-epv-za-2026-i-2027-g

On 21 March 2025, the BPO disseminated information on the European Patent Academy initiative “The Inspiring Inventors Talk Series”. The online series supports public access to knowledge and experience from inventors, including finalists and winners of the Young Inventors Prize, and promotes the role of patents, technology transfer and innovation pathways in bringing inventions to market. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/akademiyata-na-evropeyskoto-patentno-vedomstvo-startira-initsiativa-the-inspiring-inventors-talk-series

On 24 March 2025, the President of BPO, Olya Dimitrova, took part as a guest lecturer in the forum “Innovations 2025: Uniting Opportunities and Building the Future”, organised by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and the Council on Innovation, Digitalisation and New Technologies at BCCI. Her participation in the panel dedicated to business environment development, R&D and initiatives supporting businesses in the protection and management of intellectual property promoted the role of industrial property as a practical tool for innovation, technology transfer and market expansion. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/predsedatelyat-na-patentno-vedomstvo-olya-dimitrova-vze-uchastie-vav-forum-inovatsii-2025-obedinyavame-vazmozhnosti-i-izgrazhdame-badeshteto

On 10 April 2025, the BPO disseminated information on the European Inventor Network initiative encouraging innovation and creativity among children and young people aged 6-18. The activity promoted early engagement with STEM, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking, thereby supporting future awareness of inventions, patent protection and the value of innovation. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/evropeyskata-mrezha-na-izobretatelite-nasarchava-strastta-za-inovatsii-i-tvorchestvo-sred-detsata-i-mladezhite-ot-6-18-godini

On 25 April 2025, the BPO and UniBIT marked World Intellectual Property Day through a national seminar and signed a partnership memorandum. The event promoted the role of intellectual property in art, science and innovation, including awareness of design protection and its importance for creativity, cultural industries and business development. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentno-vedomstvo-i-unibit-otbelyazaha-zaedno-svetovniya-den-na-intelektualnata-sobstvenost-dvete-institutsii-podpisaha-memorandum-za-partnyorstvo

On 30 April 2025, the National Intellectual Property Map of the Republic of Bulgaria was presented at UNWE, in the presence of BPO representatives and because of broad institutional cooperation based on a six-party memorandum facilitated between BPO, government institutions, local authority and universities. The initiative promoted access to structured information and indicators on intellectual property at municipal level and supported better understanding of the role of IP rights, including trademarks, in regional development, innovation policy and the creation of a more informed environment for businesses, municipalities and public institutions. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/v-unss-beshe-predstavena-natsionalna-karta-na-intelektualnata-sobstvenost-v-republika-balgariya

On 21 May 2025, the BPO shared information on the EPO study “Standards and the European Patent System”. The publication promoted the use of patent information for understanding the relationship between technological standards and patents, including standard-essential patents, and supported users’ awareness of the strategic importance of patent data in standardisation. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/evropeyskoto-patentno-vedomstvo-publikuva-novo-prouchvane-na-tema-standarti-i-evropeyskata-patentna-sistema

On 4 June 2025, the BPO disseminated information on the EPO Young Inventors Prize 2025. The activity promoted awareness of young inventors and sustainable technical solutions and encouraged public interest in inventions, patent protection and innovation-driven responses to societal challenges. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/evropeyskoto-patentno-vedomstvo-izbira-pobeditelite-v-konkursa-za-mladi-evropeyski-inovatori-young-inventors-prize-za-2025-g

On 22 June 2025, the BPO shared information on the public consultation concerning the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre of the Unified Patent Court. The consultation promoted awareness of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for European and Unitary Patent-related disputes and supported users in understanding available mechanisms for managing patent conflicts. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/obshtestvena-konsultatsiya-otnosno-tsentara-za-patentna-mediatsiya-i-arbitrazh-kam-edinniya-patenten-sad

On 25 June 2025, the BPO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office. The cooperation supports future awareness-raising, training, events and exchange of good practices, contributing to the promotion of patent-related knowledge and institutional cooperation in the field of industrial property. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentnoto-vedomstvo-na-republika-balgariya-podpisa-memorandum-za-razbiratelstvo-s-ungarskoto-vedomstvo-za-intelektualna-sobstvenost

On 7 July 2025, the BPO invited candidates for the European Qualifying Examination to apply for the EPO Candidate Support Programme. The initiative promoted access to training and financial support for future patent professionals and contributed to strengthening the patent profession and user support in Bulgaria. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/evropeyskoto-patentno-vedomstvo-startira-programata-za-podkrepa-na-kandidatite-za-evropeyskiyat-kvalifikatsionen-izpit-eqe-za-2025-g

On 23 July 2025, the BPO disseminated information on the opening of nominations for the European Inventor Award 2026. The activity promoted patented inventions successfully brought to the European market and encouraged recognition of inventors whose work contributes to technological development and innovation. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/evropeyskoto-patentno-vedomstvo-nabira-nominatsii-za-uchastie-v-konkursa-evropeyski-izobretatel-na-godinata-2026

On 15 October 2025, the BPO organised a STEM seminar for 100 students from five secondary schools in Bulgaria. The activity forms part of the Office’s educational outreach work and promotes early understanding of innovation, inventions and the role of industrial property protection among young people. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/100-uchenitsi-ot-pet-sredni-uchilishta-v-balgariya-uchastvaha-v-stem-seminar-na-patentnoto-vedomstvo

On 15 October 2025, the BPO disseminated information on the EPO Patent and Technology Observatory’s first pan-European study of public research organisations and research hospitals through the lens of patenting. The activity promoted access to patent-based analysis on research, spin-outs and cross-sector cooperation, supporting understanding of the role of patent information in public research and competitiveness. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/observatoriyata-za-patenti-i-tehnologii-na-evropeyskoto-patentno-vedomstvo-predstavya-parvoto-obshtoevropeysko-prouchvane-na-publichni-izsledovatelski-organizatsii-i-izsledovatelski-bolnitsi-prez-prizmata-na-patentovaneto

On 21 October 2025, the BPO and the EPO held a joint webinar introducing the BPO, the EPO and both the Bulgarian and European patent systems. The event promoted better understanding of patent protection among users and stakeholders and supported access to practical information on national and European patent routes.

On 18 November 2025, the BPO held a student seminar titled “The Path of Innovation: Introduction to Patents and the Unitary Patent System”. The seminar was dedicated to patents and the Unitary Patent System and supported the promotion of patent knowledge among students as part of the Office’s public and educational activities. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentno-vedomstvo-provede-seminar-za-studenti-patyat-na-inovatsiite-vavedenie-v-patentite-i-edinnata-patentna-sistema

On 20 November 2025, the BPO disseminated information on the EPO and OECD hybrid event “Scaling Quantum Innovation”. The event focused on quantum technologies and the study “Mapping the Global Quantum Ecosystem”, promoting access to patent- and innovation-related information on a strategic technology area relevant to industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/otvorena-e-registratsiyata-za-hibridno-sabitie-razshiryavane-na-kvantovite-inovatsii-organizirano-ot-epv-i-oisr

On 2 December 2025, the President of BPO took part in the expert discussion “AI: The Role of Humans in Judicial and Law Enforcement Processes”, organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. The event promoted informed dialogue on the use of artificial intelligence in law and enforcement, with emphasis on human oversight, responsible innovation and the relevance of these issues for institutions, rights holders and users of the IP system.

On 3 December 2025, the BPO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Albania’s General Directorate of Industrial Property. The cooperation aims to promote joint activities, training, events and exchange of good practices, contributing to institutional cooperation and the wider dissemination of knowledge in the field of industrial property, including patents. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentnoto-vedomstvo-na-republika-balgariya-podpisa-memorandum-za-razbiratelstvo-s-glavnata-direktsiya-po-intelektualna-sobstvenost-na-republika-albaniya

VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

International exchange of industrial design information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes)

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 Patent Office (EPO) and 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 patent information.

The Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding in June. The agreement aims to support cooperation through awareness-raising activities, training initiatives, joint events and the exchange of best practices, contributing to the promotion of industrial property knowledge, including in the field of industrial designs.

The Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the General Directorate of Industrial Property of the Republic of Albania signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December. The agreement aims to promote joint activities, training programmes, events and the exchange of best practices, contributing to institutional cooperation and the wider dissemination of knowledge in the field of industrial property, including designs.

VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING PATENT INFORMATION

Note:  For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values: 

  • "Fully implemented"
  • “Partially implemented”
  • "On implementation phase"
  • "Planning to implement"
  • “On assessment phase”
  • "No plan to implement"

WIPO Standard ST.1:  Recommendation concerning the minimum data elements required to uniquely identify a patent document

Fully implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.2:  Standard manner for designating calendar dates by using the Gregorian calendar

Partially implemented. 

In the applications user interface (including electronic registers) the dates follow the Bulgarian national standard dd.mm.yyyy for better human readability and compliance with the national e-governance legislation.

In some data exchange formats, yyyymmdd [hh:mm:ss] is used where specified in the specific exchange protocol.


WIPO Standard ST.3:  Recommended standard on two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and intergovernmental organizations

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.6:  Recommendation for the numbering of published patent documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.8:  Standard recording of international patent classification (IPC) symbols on machine-readable records

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.9:  Recommendation concerning bibliographic data on and relating to patents and SPCs

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.10:  Published patent documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.10/A:  Format (margins, size) of patent documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.10/B:  Layout of bibliographic data components

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.10/C:  Presentation of bibliographic data components

Implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.10/D:  Guidelines on physical characteristics of patent documents particularly relevant to reproducibility and legibility of such documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.11:  Recommendation on the minimum of indexes to be inserted in patent gazettes or published in association with patent gazettes

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.12:  Guidelines for the preparation of abstracts of patent documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.12/A:  General guidelines for the preparation of abstracts of patent documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.12/B:  Guidelines for the preparation of categorized patent abstract

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.12/C:  Guidelines for the physical characteristics of separately published abstracts in selective dissemination of information (SDI) presented in the form of card files

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.13:  Recommendation for the numbering of applications for industrial property rights (IPRs)

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.14:  Recommendation for the inclusion of references cited in patent documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.15:  Guidelines for the wording of titles of inventions in patent documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.16:  Recommended standard code for the identification of different kinds of patent documents

Fully Implemented. 


WIPO Standard ST.17:  Recommendation for the coding of headings of announcements made in official gazettes

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.18:  Recommendation concerning patent gazettes and other patent announcement journals

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.19:  Recommendation for the publication of indexes issued yearly/half-yearly/quarterly by industrial property offices

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.20:  Recommendations for the preparation of name indexes to patent documents

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.21:  Recommendation concerning the reduction of volume of priority documents as filed with industrial property offices

Planning to implement.

By joining to DAAS platform.


WIPO Standard ST.22:  Recommendation for the authoring of patent applications for the purpose of facilitating optical character recognition (OCR)

No plan to implement.

No legal basis to enforce the applicants to respect it.


WIPO Standard ST.25:  Standard for the presentation of nucleotide and amino acid sequence listings in patent applications

Fully implemented.

eFiling system accepts ST.25 files and the back-office can store them.


WIPO Standard ST.26:  Recommended standard for the presentation of nucleotide and amino acid sequence listings using XML  (extensible markup language)

Fully implemented.

 eFiling system accepts ST.25 files and the back-office can store them.


WIPO Standard ST.27:  Recommendation for the exchange of patent legal status data

Fully implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.31:  Recommended standard coded character sets for the exchange of machine-readable records of patent documents

Fully implemented.

The systems are Unicode-enabled.


WIPO Standard ST.32:  Recommendation for the markup of patent documents using SGML (standard generalized markup language)

No plan to implement.

SGML is obsolete, XML is being used instead.


WIPO Standard ST.33:  Recommended standard format for data exchange of facsimile information of patent documents

No plan to implement.

Fax has been officially deprecated at BPO.


WIPO Standard ST.34:  Recommendation concerning the recording of application numbers in electronic form for the exchange of bibliographic data

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.35:  Recommended standard format for data exchange of mixed-mode published patent document information on reel-to-reel and IBM 3480/90 cartridge tapes

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.36:  Recommendation for the processing of patent information using XML (extensible markup language)

Fully implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.37:  Recommendation for an authority file of published patent documents

Fully implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.40:  Recommendation concerning making facsimile images of patent documents available on CD-ROM

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.50:  Guidelines for issuing corrections, alterations and supplements relating to patent information

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.90:  Recommendation for processing and communicating intellectual property data using web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

Partially implemented.

BPO provides REST APIs to EPO patent register and to TMView and DSView.


WIPO Standard ST.91:  Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images

Planning to implement.

BPO is planning to join to DAS system.


WIPO Standard ST.92:  Recommendations on the data package format for the electronic exchange of priority documents

Planning to implement.

BPO is planning to join to DAS system.


WIPO Standard ST.96:  Recommendation for the processing of intellectual property information using XML (extensible markup language)

Fully Implemented.

All kinds of data exchanges are in XML format based on ST.96.


WIPO Standard ST.97:  Recommendation for processing of intellectual property data using JSON

No plans to implement.

No business needs identified.


VIII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS

Please include any other relevant information here.

N/A


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.

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.

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.




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.

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.

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.