Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2017 submitted by the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland
I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PATENT INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of patent information activities and expected time frames for their realization
The Patent Office of the Republic of Poland aims at development of patent information activities within cooperation with PATLIB centers, European Patent Office, World Intellectual Property Organisation and the European Commission. Within the above mentioned cooperation the Office implements new services as well as adapts and improves the existing services and tools provided by national intellectual property offices.
Main policies and plans of the Office include among others activities aimed at supporting innovation of SMEs, commercialization of intellectual property and development of entrepreneurship. Those activities are implemented by improving business skills in patent information usage, especially in creating strategies of enterprises, creating cooperation platform between business and scientific environment as well as platform for exchanging experience and knowledge.
New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks
In 2017, PPO actively developed the project of the new electronic services platform (PUEUP). The main aim of the project is to provide a new platform for providing electronic services to customers. In 2017, basic requirements for a new project were prepared to determine the scope of future work and requirements of end users. In the field of patent information, the most important work was done to determine new search rules in the use of automatic data collection mechanisms and advanced methods of data delivery to customers using, for example, patent data subscription, etc. In 2017, the first stage of development works was finished, which resulted in the early preparation of the prototype. The early stage prototype enables presentation of the main text of the system, division into a separate unit and possible interaction between the system and the potential end user without data processing. In addition, the main public procurement and the procedure for determining the future contractor were prepared.
In 2017, PPO was active in the field of e-administration services, taking part in the development of functionalities related to the use of the governmental Electronic Platform of Public Administration Services (ePUAP). PPO has dealt with maintaining of the existing forms in terms of their functionality and reliability and has redefined the process of exchanging documents between ePUAP and Electronic Document Management system (EZD). The most important activity was the preparation of new formulars enabling faster data collection and elimination of access errors.
In 2017, PPO took actions in order to improve and extend the functionalities of the PPO Industrial Properties Search System. The mechanisms for collecting patent data from the main processing systems were improved and new analysis mechanisms were prepared, including the collection of data search queries and the possibility of exporting data for PPO employees to make a different analysis.
In 2017, a new base of industrial properties was made to allow the presentation of data of European Patents in the PPO Industrial Properties Search System. Additionally, SPC patent and utility models were added.
After the implementation of the newly prepared Intranet system, above search systems were reinstalled on the new SharePoint 2013 platform.
In 2017, in cooperation with WIPO, the system adaptation project called IPCRMS was carried out to implement the centralized translation of International Patent Classification (IPC) into Polish. Additionally, the IPC server was replaced with a new one allowing for installation of a new version of IPC application and creation of archives of old IPC versions (2006–2017 versions are available in pdf format). The update of IPC application from 4.1 to 7.5 version was successfully effected.
PPO has maintained the searchable Patent Attorneys and Applicants List. Adjustments to the data structure and adaptation of the system to the current legislation were made.
Due to the requirements of the Patent Attorneys Act, patent attorneys and applicants data for the public courts have been made available in the system-to-system mode. For this purpose a comprehensive requirement analysis was carried out and a “list of patent attorneys and applicants“ web service was implemented.
PPO continues to provide data at DanePubliczne.gov.pl website concerning the protection of industrial property, publications provided by the Office, as well as information on patent attorneys, etc.
In 2017, within the Quality at Source project, PPO started to send current descriptions of patents and utility models files in xml format to EPO. These data are currently published in ESPACENET.
Within the Bilateral Cooperation Plan project between PPO and European Patent Office, the necessary preparations of the existing Soprano system were started in order to launch a new classifying national patent functionality according to Cooperative Patent Classification scheme in 2018.
In 2017, PPO made accessible the European Patent Register website, which displays data on the Federated Register tab directly from the PPO Register Plus.
The Register Plus software application for patents was further developed and enhanced in 2017. The quality of data was improved and a wider range of presented data was introduced.
As the continuation of work on the main search engine of industrial property items in the year 2017, amendments requested by users were introduced to improve the functionality of the search engine. It is linked to other search systems, which are in the portfolio of the Office (Search System of Industrial Properties, Publication Server, Register Plus, etc.).
Filings to the Office are increasingly more often preceded by searches in the electronic collections than in the paper holdings.
In 2017, PPO received 3,998 patent applications under the national procedure, out of which 3,922 were filed by domestic applicants and 76 by foreign applicants.
43 applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty entered the phase of examination carried out by the Office (so-called national phase).
Under the international procedure, as the receiving Office, PPO received from domestic applicants 208 patent applications under the PCT procedure and 235 European patent applications with the aim of seeking protection abroad.
In 2017, PPO acting as the VPI/ISA prepared 54 International Search Reports and Written Opinions for domestic applicants indicating VPI as an International Authority. The Visegrad Patent Institute (VPI) is an intergovernmental organization for cooperation in the field of patents established by the four Visegrad countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Republic of Poland and the Slovak Republic (V4 countries). VPI was appointed as an International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The Visegrad Patent Institute started operation on 1 July 2016.
In 2017, the Office received from foreign applicants 55 applications for the grant of supplementary right of protection for medicinal products and plant protection products in order to protect rights under Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC).
On 31 December 2017, 75,982 patents remained in force, out of which 56,589 were European patents.
Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.
Statistics are accessed at the following URLs:
http://www.uprp.pl (Annual Reports' box)
Detailed statistics may be bespoke provided (write to http://www.uprp.gov.pl/Text01,205,161,1,index,pl,text).
News page: http://www.uprp.pl/aktualnosci/Menu01,16,7,index,pl/.
II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
The PPO information and support options in 2017 included:
1) Via website: http://www.uprp.pl/przedmioty-wlasnosci-przemyslowej/Menu02,12,4,index,pl/ (all information about patents, trademarks, designs, etc. and instructions e.g. "How to patent an invention or utility model to protect? ");
2) Via telephone: (+48 22 579 05 55);
3) Via e-mail: http://www.uprp.pl/Text01,205,161,1,index,pl,text/.
Management of the contacts in 2017 (phone + mail) was performed through a software:
1) Personal contacts (CRM system);
2) Within the IP Protection Information Center customer contacts (OSCC, CRM systems);
- over 2,700 emails were received
- over 28,000 calls were answered and performed (as well as 800 call backs)
- approx. 300 meetings took place with examiners and the Point of Meetings received 2466 customers;
3) Identification and differentiation of customers (OSCC, CRM systems);
4) Carrying out customer satisfaction surveys (CRM system) - level of satisfaction 96%;
5) Analyses of the contacts (analyses, statistics - CRM, OSCC systems);
6) Keeping records and transferring customer requests (satisfaction, complaints, suggestions for improvement) (TRX system).
The CRM system is shared between 11 departments in contact with the public. A change of version was introduced for :
- independent work with the contact, regardless of the fact who established the contact and possibility to change/edit the contact data;
- interfacing with other applications (Computer Telephony Integration, callback, meetings time and visits) to facilitate the customer relation management. Tool for measuring the customers’ satisfaction.
Availability of the application dossier in electronic form
Customers who use ePUAP have access to the application files sent by them electronically to PPO.
Classification1, preclassification2 (if applicable), reclassification3 activities; classification systems used (e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC)); matters concerning indexing of patent information
In 2017, the electronic 2017.01 version of the International Patent Classification was used and launched at PPO, while the 2018.01 version was being prepared to be launched in 2018.
Abstracting, reviewing, and translation of the information contained in patent documents
In 2017, patent literature collection was enlarged by the 13,090 pdf files of European patent specifications, translated into Polish (available online).
Polish abstracts and their English equivalents are stored in the database, and thus are searched and accessible for further processing.
The Office's abstracting services are handled by electronic means which aid to place the abstract deliveries in the in-house and external retrieval systems, like: Polish databases, Official Journal records, Espacenet (both collections - PL database and the Worldwide data base), etc.
III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE
In 2017, the following publications (periodicals) were issued:
- “Biuletyn Urzędu Patentowego. Wynalazki i Wzory użytkowe” (Bulletin of the Patent Office – Inventions and Utility Models) – biweekly (available both in paper and in electronic form on the Office’s website), 26 numbers, i.e. 1,872 copies.
- “Wiadomości Urzędu Patentowego” (Communications of the Patent Office) – monthly, 12 numbers, i.e. 903 copies;
- 2016 Annual Report of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland – 1,052 copies;
- Patent Specifications (type B1 documents) – 3,050 titles – 38,803 copies;
- Protection Specifications of Utility Models – 815 titles – 3,596 copies.
In 2016, the Publications Department started to prepare and make available in PDF format translations of the European Patents. In 2017, the Publications Department prepared 13,090 translations of European patents.
Most publications are available on the PPO's website: http://uprp.pl - and continue at http://portal.uprp.gov.pl (Online Services Portal).
Announcements on patents and utility models are primarily published in the official gazettes on paper carrier: "Biuletyn Urzędu Patentowego. Wynalazki i wzory użytkowe" - Bulletin of the Patent Office. Inventions and Utility Models (information on inventions and utility models applications) and in "Wiadomości Urzędu Patentowego" - Communications of the Patent Office (information on granted patents and granted protection rights on utility models). Announcements containing ordinances of the President of the Patent Office, official announcements and communications are published in the Official Journal of the Patent Office. In 2017, 4,439 announcements on filed patent applications and 877 announcements on utility model applications were published in "Biuletyn Urzędu Patentowego. Wynalazki i wzory użytkowe " (Bulletin of the Patent Office. Inventions and Utility Models) and 3,075 announcements on granted patents and 818 announcement on granted protection rights on utility models were published in "Wiadomości Urzędu Patentowego" (Communications of the Patent Office).
All these publications are forthwith available free of charge in PDF format on the PPO's Online Services Portal http://portal.uprp.pl/wydawnictwa.html
Announcements regarding non-procedural matters, but coupled with the Office's activity like: general information on the PPO's tasks, references, organizational structure, HR matters are published on the Internet version of "Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej" which falls under the official PPO's website. Many non-regular, important announcements are immediately published within the content of the website.
In 2017 the following information products were available to examiners:
- IP information on patents and utility models: http://grab.uprp.pl;
- Search System of Industrial Properties – Polish patents (B), utility models (Y) and EP translations into Polish (T): https://grab.uprp.pl/PrzedmiotyChronione/Strony%20witryny/Wyszukiwanie%20proste.aspx (user interface in Polish and English languages);
- Publication Server - Polish patents (B), utility models (Y) and EP translations into Polish (T): http://pubserv.uprp.gov.pl (user interface in 3 languages - PL, EN and FR);
- Espacenet – worldwide patent and utility models data base containing PL collection (bibliographic data in English): Polish interface available on https://pl.espacenet.com/;
- Online Services Portal with access to patent gazettes, classifications, e-filings and patent attorney's directories: http://portal.uprp.gov.pl;
- Register Plus with access to published Polish applications (Description, Claims, Figures and Search Report): http://regserv.uprp.gov.pl/register/regviewer;
- EPOQUENet Suite,
- Science Direct (full-text scientific database) hosted by Elsevier;
- STN (the Scientific and Technical Information Network);
- ACS (the American Chemical Society) Journals;
- Springer Journals (accessed also via Epoquenet);
- IEEE (accessed also via Epoquenet) scientific and technical content published by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and its publishing partners;
- Wiley Online Library;
- Scopus (abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature: scientific journals, books and conference proceedings) hosted by Elsevier.
Patent literature collections are available in the PPO's reading room.
Copies of documents are available upon payment (price list available on the PPO website or on the spot) on the premises of the reading room or can be sent to external users by fax, electronic mail or traditional post.
Patent Office possesses collections of:
- 6.26 million patent documents on paper;
- over 36 million documents on CD-ROM.
Supplementary literature comprises:
- official bulletins of 42 patent offices;
- legal and methodology publications;
- general technical and specialised magazines.
PPO provides access to patent literature in the reading room where external users can also search free of charge in online databases and databases on CD and DVD. The latter include: bibliographic databases, databases of full text patent documents, thematic databases of patent and technical literature.
Information rendered available free of charge included:
- provision of 11,458 single Polish and foreign patent specifications;
- 657 volumes of books and magazines;
Information provided upon payment includes:
- bibliographic data of patent and utility model applications and granted exclusive rights.
Online sources of patent information and collections include:
- Online Services Portal with: IP information on industrial design, access to patent gazettes, classifications, e-filings and patent attorney's directory. Available at: http://portal.uprp.gov.pl. Free of charge;
- Espacenet – Worldwide patent and utility models data base containing PL collection (bibliographic data in English): Polish interface available on https://pl.espacenet.com/. Free of charge;
- Search System of Industrial Properties – a search system giving free, open access to patent information and texts of Polish and European Patents and Polish utility models. Documents are distributed in PDF format. Available at: https://grab.uprp.pl/PrzedmiotyChronione/Strony%20witryny/Wyszukiwanie%20proste.aspx. Free of charge;
- Publication Server – a portal giving free, open, and wide access to patent information, with integrated facilities to search full texts of Polish patent specifications, Polish utility models, Polish industrial designs and translations into Polish language published by the European Patent Office patents which are valid in the territory of the Republic of Poland. Documents are disseminated in PDF format. Available at: http://pubserv.uprp.gov.pl/. Free of charge;
- Register Plus available at: http://regserv.uprp.gov.pl/register/regviewer. Free of charge.
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 Poland, the following registers are held: patent register, utility model register. Registers include information necessary to establish the subject and scope of protection (f. ex. date of filing, title), entity (or entities) entitled to rights concerning a given subject of protection (f. ex. holders, licensees, securities, seizure) and other useful information (f. ex. applications for revocation). Every person who submits a relevant application and pays a fee to the account of the Office can obtain excerpts from the register.
Legal status information is available in Register Plus at:
http://regserv.uprp.pl/register/regviewer
IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office
PPO uses thin clients, workstations and notebooks with Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Microsoft Windows 10; multimedia tablets with Apple iOS, Google Android and Microsoft Windows 10 Pro; physical and virtual servers with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard & Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard & Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard & Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard & Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10/11/12, CentOS Linux 5/6/7, Oracle Linux 5/6/7, Debian GNU/Linux 6/7/8 and Ubuntu Server LTS; hypervisor servers with VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012 R2.
All of thin clients, workstations, notebooks and servers are secured by Symantec antivirus and Forcepoint antispam system.
All network connections are based on Cisco, Forcepoint and Extreme Networks equipment with 300 Mb/s access to the Internet. The availability of services published to the Internet is supported by the Barracuda Load Balancer cluster.
The server infrastructure for the Online Portal includes 9 application servers; 5 database servers; 15 storage spaces. TB build-up array; back-ups for HP Data Protector, Fujitsu FI-5900C scanner, 125 packages for the purposes of qualified signatures. On-Line Portal servers are supported by local UPSs and they are also hooked to the main power supply unit for PPO.
Main IT infrastructure units are located in a secure server room equipped with fire alarm, CCTV system, redundant air-conditioning and a technical floor.
Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources
Patent data are stored on the specialized, regularly updated internal databases in which image information and bibliographic details are stored, for example:
- Soprano – a system supporting the process of granting rights of protection for patents and utility models (national procedure, the SPC and the European patent validation procedure);
- databases supporting the process of publication of patents and utility models.
Most production databases are hosted by Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Enterprise and MySQL Server 4/5/, PostgreSQL 9.
EP data are stored and accessed via Soprano system.
Main administrative electronic system Soprano (work-flow) supports the process of granting rights of protection for patents and utility models (national procedure, the SPC and the European patent validation procedure). It is adapted to work together with ePhoenix which stores electronic case files and Electronic Document Management System (EZD) which facilitates the processing of incoming and outgoing correspondence. External users have access to register and legal status information via Register Plus system. Settlement Module (MR) is used as a supplementary system for managing fees and payments.
In 2017 PPO was invited to take part in the project entitled “EZD RP – electronic document management in public administration” implemented under Measure 2.2. of the Operational Programme Digital Poland 2014-2020. The PPO representative participates in the Council of EZD RP users. The system is to improve the functioning of the public administration and facilitate the communication between public administration offices. PPO will take part in the pilot launch of the system.
PPO has finished the development of the Intranet site based on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Enterprise software.
PPO has maintained a professional call centre service based on Unify OpenScape Contact Centre Enterprise software and a new system of customer relationship management based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server 365 software.
The leading office software used for word processing and spreadsheet is, Microsoft Office 2007 Standard, Microsoft Office 2010 Standard & Professional Plus, Microsoft Office 2013 Standard & Professional Plus, Microsoft Office 2016 Standard & Professional Plus and Apache OpenOffice 4.
In 2017, in PPO a new project was initiated to migrate all Microsoft Office licences to a new Microsoft Office 2016 standard. The new licences are to be implemented at all computers and laptops. The new standardizations will allow to implement automatic mechanisms for maintenance of all work stations working in the Office.
In 2017, PPO purchased a special non-verbal communication service of Seventica company (it translates immediately the sounds of human language into signs of sign language displayed on the screen of computer or tablet). The purpose of the project was to remove communication barriers in communication with people with hearing impairment.
In 2017, PPO purchased a new Data Protection System for further protection and control of patent data to avoid non-controlled outflow or unwanted access. The upgrade of anti-virus system Symantec End Point Protection to the level 14 MP2 was also effected.
V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF PATENT INFORMATION
Patent documentation on paper carrier is stored in the Office storage rooms on movable bookshelves, in numerical and class arrangements, and are grouped separately according to respective countries. Class collection is stored in special files, adjusted to this type of collection. Numerical collection is stored in bound volumes. The storage rooms meet all the requirements for collection's safety. Polish patent documents arranged according to the patent classification symbols are available in the Office's general reading room.
Collection of patent documents on CD-ROM and DVD is stored on special bookshelves adjusted to this type of collection. It is available in the reading room also to external users.
The Office's reading room is also equipped with computer stations where PPO employees and external users can retrieve patent information from internet databases.
Polish Patent Office cooperates with 26 PATLIB information centres, most of them located within libraries of schools of higher education. The centres provide patent information and consultancy and employ patent attorneys. They also conduct free of charge seminars and trainings for those interested in patent information.
Patent Office supplies the centres with patent literature and informational materials on paper and electronic carriers for further dissemination.
In 2017, the Office sent:
- 33 discs with bibliographic databases.
Decreasing number of discs sent to the centres results from the policy to post informational materials online rather than on disc and paper carrier.
Within promotion of knowledge on industrial property the Patent Office issues various publications such as guides, informational-promotional brochures addressed to wide audience, among others to entrepreneurs, students, school youth. Those publications are available free of charge both in electronic version and PDF format as well as on paper on the premises of the Office.
Publication titles are as follows: Your world of intellectual property, What is intellectual property, Inventor's guide, Inventions in SMEs activity, Inventions and patents. Use the past to create future, Industrial protection in a nutshell, Inventions in your house, Patents (comic book).
Cooperation with universities, research centers, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
The Patent Office collaborates with various institutions in the scope of promotion of knowledge on Intellectual Property (organisation of conferences, workshops, trainings, granting patronage of the PPO President over numerous initiatives etc.).
In 2017, the Office collaborated with the following entities, to name a few:
- collaboration with universities (Jagiellonian University in Kraków, University of Warsaw, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, University of Łódź, Łódź University of Technology, Kielce University of Technology, Kraków University of Technology, Warsaw University of Technology, Wrocław University of Technology, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, etc.);
- collaboration with science and business related institutions, including Association of Polish Inventors and Rationalisers, Polish Federation of Engineering Associations (NOT), Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys; National Information Processing Institute, National Chamber of Commerce, Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, Institute of Industrial Design, Polish Confederation of Private Employers Lewiatan, Kielce Technology Park, Agency for Industrial Development S.A., etc.;
- collaboration with governmental administration institutions: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Development.
Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
In 2017, the PPO participated in trainings and conferences, both in-house and online, organised by the European Patent Office. The events focused on issues, such as: Drafting written opinions: practice at the EPO, Clarity-Unity: Analysis of patent applications, Novelty and inventive step, Introduction to patent statistics and the PATSTAT product line, EPOQUE Net: The art of efficient searching, The European patent system from filing to grant, Assessing clarity and unity of patent applications, IP pre-diagnosis, How to understand and draft EPO search reports and written opinions, Assesing novelty and inventive step of patent applications, EPOQUE Net searches including search in non-patent literature, Expert seminar on nanotechnologies, 3D printing, use claims, Efficient dialogue between patent examiners and patent attorneys or applicants, The EPO, an inside view: Focus on oppositions, Boards of Appeal and key decisions 2017, EPO and CPVO: support in innovation in the plant sector.
In 2017, within industrial property protection PPO organised or participated in the following events:
- 10th International Conference “Innovation and Creativity for Economy” – “Design in Good Form”
- Seminar on the protection of intellectual property – China – Visegrad Group in Chengdu (PRC)
- 13th International Krakow Symposium – “Intellectual Property in Innovative Economy – Start-ups and What Next?”
- 36th Seminar for Patent Attorneys of Schools of Higher Education organized in Cedzyna
- Nationwide conference on ”Protection of the image of Fryderyk Chopin” on the occasion of the World Intellectual Property Day
- 6th edition of the seminars of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland: ”Infringements of intellectual property rights in theory and practice” at Warsaw University of Technology
- Trainings on industrial property protection for SMEs and business-related institutions;
- ”You can become an inventor” – workshops for students run by young inventors as part of the cooperation of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland with the Educational Foundation ”Perspektywy”
- Meeting with young inventors within the framework of Robert Bosch Academy of Inventors
- Ambassador of School Innovation Competition 2017
- 7th edition of the annual competition “Student-Inventor”
- 21st Science Picnic of the Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre
- 21st Festival of Science in Warsaw
- 11th International Warsaw Exhibition of Inventions IWIS;
- “Patent by night 2017” – Night of Museums in the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland
- 15th edition of the annual competition for the best artistic poster as well postdoctoral, doctoral, master’s and student’s theses on the subject of industrial property protection and the 5th edition of a short movie and press release competition organized by the Patent Office.
In 2017, PPO maintained the Internet Educational Platform (http://ipe.uprp.gov.pl) which constitutes the compendium of knowledge on intellectual property issues. The target group includes enterprises (especially MSEs) and businesses related to public institutions (including schools of higher education) and other entities.
- Knowledge Zone includes information, publications and other materials addressed both to entities with advanced knowledge on IP issues and those ones looking for basic information on IP protection, procedures and management.
- Training Zone includes an e-learning course divided into 10 modules on intellectual property protection. Each module ends up with a test to verify the acquired knowledge.
PPO has also maintained an e-learning platform, IPPanorama, dedicated to broadening and promoting the knowledge about the protection of intellectual property. It is available at http://ippanorama.uprp.pl.
The Patent Information Centre Forum has been prepared, a platform for exchanging experiences, knowledge, comments and opinions between Patent Information Centres and the Office.
VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION
International exchange and sharing of patent information in machine-readable form, e.g., priority documents, bibliographic data, abstracts, search reports, full text information
Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to patent information
PPO and European Patent Office have signed "Bilateral Co-operation Plan (BCP)” which is a co-operation agreement covering a number of projects planned for the years 2016-2018 such as Federated Register, Espacenet New, Cooperative Patent Classification and Quality at Source in the IT field. In 2017 PPO continued co-operation activities in areas such as training, patent-related IT services and tools, patent information services and awareness and strengthening of the European Patent Network (EPN).
Various activities to be implemented within the framework of the BCP are targeted at raising patent awareness among the users of the IP system, including the "Awareness of the European patent system" project supporting organisation of patent-related awareness and training events to promote the European patent system. The main objective of these activities is to enhance the patent knowledge of SMEs, industry and academic institutions and to increase their use of the European patent system.
On 6 January 2017, PPO joined the Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH) Programme, which enables patent applicants to request accelerated patent grant procedure in any of the offices participating in the Programme, provided that at least one of the claims of the analogous patent application has been found to be acceptable by any of the offices involved in the GPPH Programme. https://www.uprp.pl/global-pph/Lead05,860,17404,4,index,pl,text/
Following the creation of the Visegrád Patent Institute (WIP), the website design and the necessary functionalities of the application were designated to handle the affairs of the Institute. As part of the work, the e-mail service for the Institute was prepared and deployed via the Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 e-mail system as well as the procedures of servicing e-mail accounts for the @ vpi.int domain were developed. In 2017 the above website design was operated and maintained by the PPO employees.
Assistance to developing countries