Annual Technical Report 2003 on Patent Information Activities submitted by Armenia (SCIT/ATR/PI/2003/AM)
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The term "patent" covers utility models and Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs). Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in their Annual Technical Reports on Industrial Design Information Activities.
I. Evolution of patent activities
Changes experienced in terms of application filings and grants with respect to the previous year
The average duration of the examination of applications on invention from filing date of applications to the conclusion date in 2003 was 6.94 months (in 2001-6.61 months).
The average duration of the examination of utility models from filing date of applications to the conclusion in 2003 was 2.35 months (in 2002-1.8 months).
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
Intentions or fields where rapid changes took place as compared with the previous year:
As a whole there is a decrease in the number of applications for inventions and utility models, which is about 29 % as compared with 2002.
The breakdown of filed applications received in 2003 (applications received in 2002 are indicated in brackets for comparison) is made by Sections of the International Patent Classification (IPC) as follows:
Section A. 41 (67)
Section B. 24 (22)
Section C. 34 (56)
Section D. 1 (2)
Section E. 15 (11)
Section F. 15 (19)
Section G. 19 (16)
Section H. 12 (29)
II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, distribution and use of primary and secondary sources of patent information
In 2003, four numbers of the Official Bulletin “Industrial Property” were published: No 1 (25), No 2 (26), No 3(27) and No 4 (28), in electronic format on CD-ROMs. The bulletins are published in two languages: Armenian and Russian. In these Bulletins official data are published on patents for 169 inventions, 7 utility models.
Twelve issues of the Official Bulletin “Applications on Inventions” are published with the purpose of laying out the files for inspection by the public in accordance with Article 24 of the Republic of Armenia Law on Patents.
III. Matters concerning abstracting, classifying, reclassifying and indexing of technical information contained in patent documents
Abstracting, reviewing, translating
The Agency issues the monthly Official Bulletin “Applications on Inventions” in which essays on inventions in Armenian for inspection by the public are published, and the quarterly Official Bulletin “Industrial Property” in which abstracts on inventions and utility models in Armenian and Russian are published.
Classification and reclassification activities; Classification system used, e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC), other classification (please indicate whether or not patent documents are classified by your Office and, if so, which classification is used)
Classification and reclassification of applications on inventions or utility models filed with the Agency were realized with application of IPC 7th edition.
Coordinate indexing (domestic deep indexing systems, keyword indexing)
Coordinate indexing is carried out under the Standards of WIPO. ST.9 (Annex 1. INID codes), ST.3 (two-letter codes for indication of country). ST.12/A (instructions for preparation of patent documents abstracts), ST.16 (standard codes for identification of various types of patent documents).
Hybrid system indexing
The Agency experts use hybrid system indexing when carrying out examination on certain documents.
Bibliographic data and full-text processing for search purposes
The Agency uses an electronic database on inventions and utility models, which contains bibliographic data, abstracts and sketches with reporting opportunity in three languages: Armenian, Russian, English, as well as with transmission opportunity of bibliographic data for publishing in Official Bulletins, issued by the Agency, and transmission of information for optical CD-ROMs production under series CISPATENT (CISPATENT CD-ROM series), which contain full description of patent documents, including bibliography and abstracts in national language, Russian and English in well-known “MIMOSA” environment.
IV. Search file establishment and upkeep
The Agency continued work on replenishment of the funds of the Armenian Scientific-Technical Information Centre. Information received from foreign patent agencies was handled by the Centre.
V. Activities in the field of computerized and other mechanized search systems
In 2003 the work on automation and technical re-equipment of the Agency was continued.
In 2003 modernization of computers and programming devices was carried out which is used for examination of industrial property subject matters. Instead of Pentium II computers, Pentium P 4 2.8 computers were acquired.
Work was carried out for improvement of the first version of the subsystem “inventions and utility models”. The subsystem “inventions and utility models” is used in the regime CLIENT/SERVER. The subsystem used for examination of inventions and clerical work provides:
- Collection of bibliographic data in three languages (Armenian, Russian, English)
- Collection and control of fees
- Automation of clerical work
- Outlet of statistics
- Publication of bibliographic data
- Search of information
VI. Administration of the industrial property office library and services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, for assisting clients on searching procedures, for obtaining official publications and registry extracts)
Official Bulletins “Industrial Property” are sent free of charge to the Armenian Scientific-Technical Information Centre, Main Library of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Libraries of Yerevan State University, State Engineering University of RA, Armenian Agricultural Academy and National House of Books of Armenia.
According to the preliminary arrangement in the frame of exchange of patent information, 21 copies of the Official Bulletin of Intellectual Property Agency and 23 copies of the Annual Report were sent to the Patent Offices of foreign countries as well as to WIPO, EPO and EAPO.
Patent information of the Agency is available to the wide public as well as via Internet (http//www.armpatent.org). The page contains the following information sections:
- Statistics
- Annual report
- Published patent applications
- Bank data
- Patent attorneys
- Contact information
- Normative- legal base
Information is available in three languages (Armenian, Russian, English).
VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of patent documentation and information
For realization of the International Agreement “On joint publication of the regional patent – information product on optical discs CD - ROM”, of which the Republic of Armenia is a member, compact discs “CISPATENT” with bibliographic notifications on 150 inventions in Armenian, Russian and English were produced. The members of this Agreement from CIS countries are the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Eurasian Patent Agency. The annual collections of the discs are sent to the Patent Offices of countries.
VIII. Other relevant matters concerning education and training in, and promotion of, the use of patent information, including technical assistance to developing countries
WIPO
1. Interregional intermediate seminar on industrial property (1 participant)
2. WIPO Training Course on Patent Documentation and Information (1 participant)
EPO
3. Seminar 7/2003 “Search and Examination in biotechnology” (1 participant)
4. Seminar 8/2003 “Patents in electronics, computer technology & telecommunications” (2 participants)
Others
Studies in the Russian State Institute of Intellectual Property (2 participants)
IX. Other relevant 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. |