Annual Technical Report 2013 on Trademark Information Activities submitted by Georgia (CWS/ATR/TM/2013/GE)
Where URLs are requested below, it is preferred that either URLs which are likely to remain stable over time (three years or more) are provided, or home (main) page URLs are provided with a short explanation of how to access the corresponding information.
I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADEMARK INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
In 2013 SAKPATENTI received 1647 applications under the national procedure.
1177 trademarks were registered under the national procedure.
3457 notifications were received on extension of the international trademarks to Georgia according to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks.
2975 international trademarks were protected in 2013.
By December 31, 2013, 17756 national and 32393 international trademarks were in force.
34 international applications were submitted to the International Bureau in 2013 under the Madrid Protocol. In total, 142 applications were submitted to the International Bureau by December 31, 2013.
The statistics related to trademarks are available in annual reports which are published on the website of Sakpatenti: www.sakpatenti.org.ge.
Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of trademark information activities and expected time frames for their realization
The main priority in this direction was establishment of e-filing system. The system was developed and now it is fully operational for trademark applications.
New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks
The new system of e-filing was launched and users can easily file trademark applications through the system.
Main areas of trademark information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year
Last yeas the main attention was given to the e-filing project. Different seminars and training sessions were held to share information and specific knowledge on filing system.
Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and registrations with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes
The year 2013 was noteworthy for the fact that electronic filing of applications began at Sakpatenti. A new automated system of workflow of intellectual property objects and their administration was launched at Sakpatenti, which is intended to replace the similar software currently in use at the office. The development of software for an intellectual property electronic registration system was supported by USAID’s Economic Prosperity Initiative (EPI) and it was developed and implemented by company UGT.
The launching of the new system laid the foundation at Sakpatenti for modern, paperless (electronic) proceedings. The system includes functional means for electronic (online) filing of applications for IP objects (inventions, utility models, trademarks, designs, geographical indications), electronic payments, necessary notifications and other communication functions. The system will render great assistance to applicants and patent attorneys in online paperless communication with the Office, in monitoring various stages of proceedings on their applications, etc.
Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.
www.sakpatenti.org.ge
II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) – URLs
A video clip is available, which gives applicants instructions on how to fill out an electronic application. In addition, the instruction and form are also published on the website, explaining how to fill out an application which is not filed in an electronic format.
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=338
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=195
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge/files/trademark_rules.pdf
Availability of the application dossier in electronic form
Capability of online application filing
Matters concerning classifying
(i) Classification and reclassification activities; classification systems used, e.g., International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification), International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks (Vienna Classification), other classification
(ii) Use of electronic classification systems and pre-defined terms of the classification applied
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge/classifications/nice_classification1.htm
http://sakpatenti.org.ge/classifications/vienna_class/category_list.htm
Matters concerning processing of different types of non-traditional marks (e.g., three-dimensional, motion, hologram, color mark, etc.)
Word, figurative, sound and three-dimensional trademarks
III. SOURCES OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE
Main types of publications in the field of trademark information, outline of the content and medium (on paper, on CDs, online – URLs)
Official Bulletin(Paper and online version). Journal- IP Georgia
Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online, URL), etc.
Trademarks filed, once per month ( paper,online)
sakpatenti.org.ge
Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external documentation and databases
All internal and external databases
Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) and services available to external users; conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)
Free of charge consultations,access to different databases and sources.
Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)
All kind of information is provided to the users
IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements
Custom developed software is used throughout patent office for application electronic filing, processing, registration, billing. Virtually on all stages of process. Major advantage is possibility of electronic filing and payment by credit cards
Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office
Dell Systems server and storage is used for general database and application services. Canon Scanfront scanners are used for digitizing paper media.
Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources
There are two main types of databases internal and published on a website enabling general public to search trademarks ever processed by patent office.
Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file
Internal database employed for trademark registration application processing and used by patent office experts and other employees includes all information including financials related to application. Web search system contains only several data types.
Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)
Above mentioned functionality is fully included in software application currently used by patent office.
V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION
Office’s library (if deals with trademark information): equipment, collection management, network of libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign libraries
Library equipped with different sources,collection of books, databases for users.
Publications related to different business procedures and trademark information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.
IP Georgia; different flyers, books; online sources.
Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
Sakpatenti actively cooperates with different universities in the framework of Memorandums. Library is closely linked to the Georgian Technology and Innovation transfer center within Sakpatenti.
Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
Seminars and training courses take place at Sakpatenti for different audiences : students, business, media, academia.
VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION
International exchange of trademark information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes)
In the framework of Memorandums with different IP offices, we share trademark information ( Paper and online); Official bulletin is accessible online.
www.sakpatenti.org.ge
Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to trademark information
Office regularly participates in international and regional conferences, seminars and projects related to Trademark information.