Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2018 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 centres, the European Patent Office, the 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 a cooperation platform between business and scientific environment as well as a 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 2018, the PPO actively participated in the development 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 clients. In 2018, the public procurement procedure to select the final contractor was conducted. The newly selected company had to prepare the following modules of PUEUP platform: e-Baza Wiedzy (knowledge database), e-Profil (user profile), e-Platności (payments), e-Powiadomienia (user message system), e-Wyszukiwarka (search system) and Infrastruktura (infrastructure). During the 2018, the first step of analysis was initiated.

In 2018, the 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). The PPO dealt with maintaining the existing forms in terms of their functionality and reliability and it redefined the process of exchanging documents between ePUAP and Electronic Document Management System (EZD). The most important activity was the preparation of new formulas allowing for faster data collection and elimination of access errors.

In 2018, the PPO took actions to improve and extend the functionalities of the PPO Industrial Properties Search System. The new mechanisms for collecting translations of European patents into Polish, valid on the territory of Poland, were introduced with the possibility of collecting statistical information on queries statistics. After the implementation of the newly prepared Intranet system, the above search systems were reinstalled on the new SharePoint 2013 platform.

In 2018, the PPO finished the implementation of Intranet system based on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Enterprise software.

In 2018, 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.

The PPO continued to maintain Patent Attorneys and Applicants List searchable. Only small adjustments in the data structure were introduced and the system was adapted to the existing legislation.

The PPO continued to provide data on the DanePubliczne.gov.pl website concerning the protection of industrial property, publications provided by the Office as well as information on patent attorneys, etc.

In 2018 within the Quality and Source Project, the PPO finished sending up-to-date descriptions of patents and utility models’ files in xml format to the EPO. These data are currently published in ESPACENET. The EPO now has a set of descriptions beginning in 2006.

In 2018, the PPO introduced a newly created Search System in Document Libraries. The new system was prepared to collect in one place all documents published by Polish Patent Office. WUP, BUP, Polish patent specifications, Polish utility models, Polish industrial designs and translations into Polish published by the European Patent Office patents which are valid in the territory of Poland were gathered in separate document libraries in PDF format. All documents published after 1973 were indexed and have been subject to full text retrieval functionality thanks to the search capabilities of Microsoft SharePoint 2013 platform. All documents published before 1972 were collected only in separate libraries enabling searching for documents using data from the year of publication or other available filters. The system collects information from the PPO Search System of Industrial Properties, which allows to provide current information and additional standard data to be used as search criteria.

As part of the Bilateral Cooperation Plan project between the PPO and the European Patent Office, in 2018 a new patent classification functionality was implemented in accordance with the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) schema in the Soprano system.

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

The Register Plus software application for patents was further developed and enhanced in 2018. 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 2018, amendments requested by users were introduced and they aimed at improving 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.).

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

Filings to the Office are increasingly more often preceded by searches in the electronic collections than in the paper holdings.

In 2018, the PPO received 4,269 patent applications under the national procedure, out of which 4,205 were filed by domestic applicants and 64 by foreign applicants.

53 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, the PPO received from domestic applicants 204 patent applications under the PCT procedure and 247 European patent applications with the aim of seeking protection abroad.

In 2018, the PPO, acting as the VPI/ISA, prepared 69 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 2018, the Office received from foreign applicants 58 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 2018, 82,618 patents remained in force, out of which 64,366 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 provided on request (please 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

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

The PPO information and support options in 2018 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 2018  (phone + mail) was performed  through a software:

1)         Personal contacts (CRM system);

2)         Within the Register IP Info Center customer contacts (OSCC, CRM systems);

-           2,185 emails were received

-           24,414 calls were answered and performed (including the call backs) 

-           1,822 meetings took place with examiners and at the information centre; 

3)         Identification and differentiation of customers (OSCC, CRM systems);

4)         Carrying out customer satisfaction surveys (CRM system) - level of satisfaction 95.5%;

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. IP Info Center has a non-verbal communication system to improve information service for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers.

Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

Customers who use ePUAP have access to the application files which are sent electronically to the PPO.

Classification1, preclassification2 (if applicable), reclassification3 activities; classification systems used (e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC)); matters concerning indexing of patent information

In 2018, the 2018.01 electronic version of the International Patent Classification was launched and used at the PPO.

Abstracting, reviewing, and translation of the information contained in patent documents

In 2018, the patent literature collection was enlarged by 12,336 pdf files of European patent specifications translated into Polish.

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.

Other activities


III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

 

Main types of publications of the Office (patent applications, full text, first pages, abstracts, bibliographic data, granted patents, etc.), medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URLs)

In 2018, 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 on paper and in electronic form on the Office’s website), 26 numbers, i.e. 1,475 copies.

- “Wiadomości Urzędu Patentowego” (Communications of the Patent Office) – monthly, 12 numbers, i.e. 725 copies;

- 2017 Annual Report of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland – 1,368 copies;

- Patent Specifications (type B1 documents) – 3,331 titles – 35,805 copies;

- Protection Specifications of Utility Models – 759 titles – 3,036 copies.

In 2016, the Publications Department started to prepare and make available in PDF format translations of the European Patents. In 2018, the Publications Department prepared 12,336 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).

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

Announcements on patents and utility models are primarily published in the official gazettes: "Biuletyn Urzędu Patentowego. Wynalazki i wzory użytkowe" (Bulletin of the Patent Office. Inventions and Utility Models) with information on inventions and utility models applications and in "Wiadomości Urzędu Patentowego" (Communications of the Patent Office) with information on granted patents and granted protection rights on utility models which are available on paper and also in pdf version on the website of the Patent Office.

In 2018, 3,916 announcements on filed patent applications and 953 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 3,343 announcements on granted patents and 842 announcements on granted protection rights on utility models were published in "Wiadomości Urzędu Patentowego" (Communications of the Patent Office). Announcements containing ordinances of the President of the Patent Office, official announcements and communications are published in the Official Journal 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 related to 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" (Public Information Bulletin) on the official PPO's website. Many non-regular, important announcements are immediately published on the website.

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

In 2018, 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);

- Search System in Document Libraries - a search system giving possibilities of free full text search on patent documents distributed in PDF format. As a part of its functionality, the system allows to search Polish industrial designs descriptions. Available at: https://grab.uprp.pl/sites/WynalazkiWzoryUzytkowe/Opisy/Patenty%20i%20Wzory%20uytkowe/Forms/AllItems.aspx. Free of charge;

- 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 – a worldwide database of patents and utility models containing the PL collection (bibliographic data in English): Polish interface available at https://pl.espacenet.com/;

- Online Services Portal with access to patent papers, classifications, e-fillings and catalogues of patent attorneys: http://portal.uprp.gov.pl;

- Register Plus with access to published Polish applications (Descriptions, Claims, Figures and Search Reports): 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.

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

Patent literature collections are available in the PPO's reading room.

The copies of documents are available upon payment (price list available on the PPO website or on the spot) in 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.

The 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 19,048 single Polish and foreign patent specifications;

- 574 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

Other sources


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

EPOQUE Net is a professional patent information retrieval tool which supports the processes of searching and granting patents. The tool consists of a bundle of searching applications and tools and it is accessible for Patent Offices via the Patent secure network. EPOQUE Net is continuously improved by European Patent Office and distributed to National Offices. In 2018, a new version of Espacenet was introduced. One of the new functionalities is the introduction of full-text search. Currently, training in the functionality of the new version is being carried out.

Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office

The 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 the PPO.

The main IT infrastructure units are located in a secure server room equipped with a fire alarm, a CCTV system, redundant air-conditioning and a technical floor.

Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

Patent data are stored in 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.

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

EP data are stored and accessed via the Soprano system.

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

The main administrative electronic system Soprano (work-flow) supports the process of granting the 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 the Register Plus system. Settlement Module (MR) is used as a supplementary system for managing fees and payments.

Other matters

The 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 2018, a new project of migration from all Microsoft Office licences to the new Microsoft Office 2016 standard was continued at the PPO. The new licences are to be implemented on all computers and laptops. The new standardization will allow to implement automatic mechanisms for operation of all workstations in place at the Office.

In 2018, the PPO purchased a special Seventica service for non-verbal communication (it translates immediately the human language sounds into sign language on a computer or tablet screen). The purpose of the project was to remove barriers in communication with people with hearing impairment.

In 2018, the PPO maintained a Data Protection System for further protection and control of patent data to avoid uncontrolled outflow or unwanted access. The upgrade of anti-virus system Symantec End Point Protection to the level 14 MP2 was also performed.

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

Patent library: equipment, collection management, network of patent libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign patent libraries

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. The class collection is stored in special files, adjusted to this type of collection. The 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.

The 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.

The Polish Patent Office cooperates with 26 PATLIB information centres, most of them located within libraries of higher education institutions. 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.

The Patent Office supplies the centres with patent literature and informational materials on paper and in electronic form for further dissemination.

In 2018, the Office sent:

- 26 discs with bibliographic databases.

The decreasing number of discs sent to the centres results from the policy to post information materials online rather than on disc and paper carriers.

Publications related to different business procedures and patent information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.

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.

The titles of publications include: Protection of Utility Models in Poland, Protection of Inventions in Poland, Your World of Intellectual Property, What Is Intellectual Property, Graphic Presentation of Industrial Designs, Industrial Property Protection in a Nutshell, Service Manual for Intellectual Property, Inventions in Your House, Copyright (comic book), Patents/Trademarks (comic book).

Office's initiatives on providing foreign patent information in the local language(s) (e.g., machine translation tools, translation of abstracts)

In 2018, the Publications Department of the PPO prepared translations of 12,336 European patent specifications into Polish, which are available at the Office’s Publication Server in PDF format.

Cooperation with universities, research centers, technology and innovation support centers, etc.

The Patent Office cooperates 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 2018, the Office cooperated with the following entities, to name a few:

- universities, such as 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 Science and Technology, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, etc.;

- 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., Institute of Aviation, Staropolska Chamber of Business and Commerce in Kielce, Institute of Industrial Design, Council of Patent Attorneys of Universities and Academies;

- government administration institutions: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.

In 2018, 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: Patent families, INPADOC: background, coverage, richness and safe use of the EPO worldwide legal status database in Espacenet, Introduction to the European Patent Register, Basics of patent searching with Espacenet, Business use of Patent information, EP Bulletin search, Accessing court decisions on patents across Europe with ECLI.

In 2018, in the scope of industrial property protection, the PPO organised or participated in the following events:

-          Conference “100 years of industrial property protection in Poland” organised on the occasion of the World Intellectual Property Day

-          Scientific Symposium “Intellectual property in the digital world”

-          11th International Conference “Innovation and Creativity for Economy – Sustainable Design in Innovation-Driven Business”

-          14th International Symposium – “Intellectual Property in Innovative Economy – IP in the Innovation Ecosystem – strategies for protection, management and commercialization” in Kraków

-          International Conference “Rethinking Patent Law as an incentive to innovation”

-         A series of International Expert “Roving Seminars” entitled “Interested in protecting your IP overseas?”

-         Seminar “Brand protection strategy – national, international and regional system”

-         A series of 16 regional seminars “Patent for success – intellectual property management strategy”

-         Seminar “Patentability issues in the fields of pharmacy and biotechnology”

-          37th Seminar for Patent Attorneys of Schools of Higher Education held in Cedzyna

-          Open information and consultation meetings on industrial property protection

-          “Ambassador of School Innovation 2018” Competition

-          8th edition of the annual “Student-Inventor” competition

-          22nd Science Picnic of the Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre

-          “Patent by Night 2018” – Night of Museums in the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland

-         “PolandIn.” Exhibition of Polish inventions and industrial designs at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) headquarters in Geneva

-          16th edition of the annual competition of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland for the best postdoctoral, doctoral, master’s and student’s theses and for an artistic poster, as well as the 6th edition of the competition for a short film and press release on the subject of industrial property protection.

In 2018, the 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 higher education institutions) and other entities.

  • Knowledge Zone includes information, publications and other materials addressed both to entities with advanced knowledge on IP issues and those looking for basic information on IP protection, procedures and management.
  • Training Zone includes a 10-module e-learning course on intellectual property protection. Each module ends 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, which is a platform for exchanging experience, knowledge, comments and opinions between Patent Information Centres and the Office.

Other activities

A non-verbal communication system was maintained in the form of online sign language translation services. The purpose of the project was to remove barriers in communication with people with hearing impairment.

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

The Office provides several patent offices and organizations with its bibliographic data and abstracts in the flat text machine-readable format, and also xml format. Full-text information is provided in PDF fully searchable format. Electronic filings submitted to the PPO under EP and WO procedures are transferred to the EPO and WIPO respectively.

Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to patent information

The PPO and the European Patent Office signed the Bilateral Co-operation Plan (BCP) which was 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 2018, the PPO continued cooperation activities in such areas as training, patent-related IT services and tools, patent information services and awareness and strengthening of the European Patent Network (EPN).

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 2018, the above website design was operated and maintained by the PPO’s employees.

Assistance to developing countries

N/A

Other activities


VII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS

 

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.