Annual Technical Report on Trademark Information Activities in 2018 submitted by Industrial Property Office CZ
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I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADEMARK INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and registrations with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes
Changes experienced in terms of application filings and grants with respect to the previous year
2018 | Compared to 2017 | |
National trademark applications | 7638 | -5 % (8071) |
– submitted by domestic applicants | 7042 | - 5 % (7438) |
– submitted by foreign application | 596 | -6 % (633) |
International trademarks with designation of CZ according to Madrid Agreement and the Protocol | 2009 | +9 % (1838) |
National trademarks registered | 6192 | -8 % (6711) |
Grant of protection relating to international trademarks | 1641 | +1% (1630) |
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
In 2018 the average registration procedure time period was 8,4 months from the date of submitting the trademark registration application. This time period includes formal and substantive examination of the applications, technical procedure concerning the preparation for publication, three month statutory time limit for opposition and registration time.
Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.
Statistics
Since 2000 the Annual Reports and statistics have been available at the Office’s website: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/annual-report/annual-report.html
The Bulletin: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html
The Office website
The helpdesk mailto: helpdesk@upv.cz
List of news and events: http://www.upv.cz/en/ipo/current-news/actual.html
Electronic filing of trademark applications: http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/on-line-filing.html
Element of proceedings: https://isdv.upv.cz/webapp/!resdb.rejst.frm
Legislation related to all IP rights: http://www.upv.cz/en/legislation.html
FAQ: http://www.upv.cz/en/information-sources/faq.html
Search service – trademark database (IPO, WIPO, EUIPO): http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases.html
Use of electronic classification systems to check the classification symbols classified by an applicant and contained in the lists of goods and/or services: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--trade-marks.html
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
The Office website http://www.upv.cz/en.html is rich source of information.
Electronic filing of trademark applications: https://isdv.upv.cz/webapp/EPOD.epweb.reg
Element of proceedings: https://isdv.upv.cz/webapp/!resdb.rejst.frm
Search service: http://upv.cz/en/client-services/information-services/search-services.html
Fees and payments: http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/fees.html
Information on business procedure related to trademarks: http://upv.cz/en/ip-rights/trade-marks.html
Information on Services: http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/information-services/information-and-consultation-centers.html
Publications: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications.html
Trademark databases: http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases.html
Trademark classification system: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--trade-marks.html
Availability of the application dossier in electronic form
The content of the file (element of proceedings) is available at: http://isdv.upv.cz/portal/pls/portal/portlets.rejst.formular?lan=en
Matters concerning classifying
Classifications systems: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems.html.html
Trademark classification system: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--trade-marks.html
(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
The 11th edition of the Nice Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks has been in effect since January 01, 2017 for the purposes of trademark filing and registration.
Every trademark application shall contain a list of goods or services for which the mark is to be registered. Goods and services are listed in a sequence of classes of the Nice Classification and the appropriate number of this classification is mentioned.
The 8th edition of the Vienna Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks, , has been used.
(ii) Use of electronic classification systems and pre-defined terms of the classification applied
Information on classification system
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--trade-marks.html
Obligation for applicants to use pre-defined terms of the classification applied
To use pre-defined terms of the classification applied is only recommended.
Bibliographic data and processing
Trademarks are searchable by application and registration number, TM wording, name of applicant or holder or licensee, previous holder (for IPO CZ employees only), representative, pledgee (for IPO CZ employees only), Vienna classes, classes of goods and services and names of goods and services, application filing date, priority date, publication and registration date and date of termination of validity. Representation of trademarks is also available in form of a gallery.
Matters concerning processing of different types of non-traditional marks (e.g., three-dimensional, motion, hologram, color mark, etc.)
Legislative work on the implementation of European Parliament and Council (EU) Directive 2015/2436 of 16 December 2015, to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks was finalised in 2018. The amendment to Act No. 441/2003 Coll. On Trade Marks, which came into effect on 1st January 2019, eliminated the requirement of graphic representation of trade marks from the trade mark law. According to the amendment it is sufficient that the sign applied for is capable of being represented in the Register of Trade marks in a manner which enables the competent authorities and the public to determine the clear and precise subject matter of the protection afforded to its proprietor. Annex No 1 to the Act No. 441/2003 Coll. defines 10 types of trade marks, including those trade marks considered non-traditional (e.g. position, sound, motion, multimedia, holographic marks) and means of their representation. Certain types of trade marks (position, motion) may be accompanied by a description. Also other type of trade mark not covered by any of the 10 defined types of trade marks may be registered if it is represented in any appropriate form utilizing generally available technology if such a form can be clearly, precisely, separately, easily, comprehensibly, durably and objectively represented in the Register for the competent authorities and the public to be able to clearly and precisely determine the subject of protection granted to the trade mark proprietor. The representation of „other“ mark may be also accompanied by a description.
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)
Office notices are published weekly in the electronic Official Bulletin of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic. Notices are also published at the Office’s website.
Mass storage media used are hard discs, magnetic tapes for backup and paper.
Trademark bulletins of foreign offices in an electronic or paper version are received regularly. WIPO and European Union Trademarks Bulletin are available in electronic version via Internet (new volumes) and in CD/DVD or paper version (previous volumes).
Description of information products and services offered by the Office and how to access and utilize them
The Office’s website: ttp://www.upv.cz/en.html
Information on Services: ttp://upv.cz/en/client-services/information-services/information-and-consultation-centers.html
Publications: ttp://www.upv.cz/en/publications.html
Trademark databases: ttp://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases.html
Trademark classification system: ttp://www.upv.cz/en/publications/classsification-systems/classification--trade-marks.html
Since 2007, there are no official gazettes of the Official Bulletin of IPO CZ produced and published on CDs or in paper versions.
Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online, URL), etc.
Publishing, printing, copying techniques
The trademarks information is accessible in the Official Bulletin of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic. Since from 2007 this has been published weekly in an electronic form only and the paper version has been discontinued.
Main types of announcements of the Office in the field of trademark information
The Bulletin is published on a weekly basis (updated every Wednesday) instead of the monthly basis as it was before. The files are downloadable free of charge with no prior registration / subscription needed.. The information as published shall be the authentic one for legal purposes. As from No. 1/2000, the Official Bulletin has been available at the web site of the IPO CZ as an electronic document in PDF format. You can find it here: ttp://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html
The Bulletin contains the following types of announcements:
Survey of the INID codes for identification of bibliographic data
Survey of the chapters
Codes of the states
Refused or partially refused trademark applications before publication
Survey of the published trademark applications
Published trademark applications
Refused or partially refused trademark applications after publication
Rejected oppositions
Survey of the trademark registrations without change in relation to published applications
Registrations of trademarks without change in relation to published applications
Survey of the trademark registrations with change in relation to published applications
Registrations of trademarks with change in relation to published applications
Recording of license contracts concerning trademarks
Recording of license contracts concerning internationally registered trademarks
Trademarks cancelled and declared invalid
Survey of the renewals of trademark registrations
Renewals of trademark registrations
Laps of trademarks due to expiration of the period of protection
Surrender of the right to the trademark
Changes in the wording/reproduction of the trademarks and in the list of goods and services
Changes in the ownership of the trademarks
Changes in the ownership of the trademarks for a part of goods and services
Amendments in the data concerning trademark holders
Excuse of failure to comply with a time limit
Other relevant data and official rectifications
Survey of the published applications of the coloured trademarks
Mass storage media and microforms used
Mass storage media used are hard discs, magnetic tapes for backup, and physical original in paper version.
Word processing and office automation
Trademarks are searchable in the public database. It provides a range of search options including application and registration number, TM wording, name of applicant or holder or licensee, Vienna classes, classes of goods and services and list of goods and services, application filing date, priority date, publication and registration date and date of termination of validity. Representation of trademarks is also available in form of a gallery. The public database is updated daily and automatically from database of the IPO. The public database contains trademarks (IPO CZ, EUIPO, WIPO-CZ, WIPO-EU) valid in the Czech Republic
Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external documentation and databases
The Office’s Examiners have an access to:
- Internal SyPP database – contains all pending as well as decided applications
- Internal database of trademarks (applications and registered trademarks) including all trademarks with effect for the Czech Republic
- EUIPO eSearch Plus and TMView tools
- Other external public databases: http://upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases/foreign-database.html
Other sources
The Official Bulletin URL: http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html
The public database URL: http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases.html
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
Within the Office, there are obeyed, maintained and improved several business management systems:
- ISO 9001 – QMS (Quality Management System) helps to assure a constant level of quality of services provided by the Office
- ISO14001 – EMS (Environmental Management System) is used to help organizations (a) minimize how their operations (processes, etc.) negatively affect the environment (i.e., cause adverse changes to air, water, or land); (b) comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements, and (c) continually improve in the above.
- ISO 27001 – ISMS (Information Security Management System) specifies a management system that is intended to bring information security under explicit management control. Fields of concerns are Security policy, Asset management, human resources security, access control, incident management system etc.
- OHSAS 18001 – (Occupational Health and Safety Advisory System) helps companies to propose and implement precautions that, wherever possible, remove, reduce risks or isolate employees from them in a workplace. In case this is not possible, working activities have to be planned and managed through organizational precautions so that employees’ performance was safe and healthy
The business process management system (BPMS) internally named ADONIS that describes the office’s processes flow structure is also deployed, maintained and improved. Each employee can find information on organizational structure, valid laws, rules and other documents, available applications, databases and information systems.
Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office
Workstations - HP, processor Intel Core2Duo, Core I3 and Core I5, RAM 1- 8 GB, HDD 160 - 500 GB. 300 workstations connected in the Office network are of the Office staff direct service. Thereof 50 computers connected in the Office network are intended for the clients of the Office and staff training. MS OFFICE – 2007/2010/2013/2016 software. The Office uses CD, DVD and magnetic tapes as data mediums.
Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources
In-house systems (online/offline)
The Office maintains an in-house search database of all trademark applications and registered trademarks with effect for the Czech Republic (national, EU, WIPO). The database is not accessible to the public but its structure corresponds to the public database.
External databases
The Office provides free access to the database comprising the data concerning not only the Czech national trademarks but also the international trademarks (applied for or registered) valid in the territory of the Czech Republic or EU, WIPO – 6ter and the European Union trademarks applied for or registered by EUIPO at the IPO CZ website http://www.upv.cz/en/client-services/online-databases/trade-mark-databases.html. In summer 2018, the Office launched a pilot version of new national industrial property rights information databases in parallel with existing national databases. Until the end of 2018, when the original databases´operation was ended, users had the ability to test these databases and provide their suggestions and observations.
The Office and users can also perform searches in the publicly accessible databases provided freely on the Internet by the other national offices. The Office also regularly uses the eSearch plus database and TMview database (both maintained by EUIPO) and the Madrid Monitor database (maintained by WIPO) which contains the international trademarks. Other national databases provided freely on the Internet are used as well. The links to these databases are provided at the Office´s web site (http://www.upv.cz/en.html)
Last but not least the commercial database Corsearch (Wolters Kluwer) is used by the Office under contract and the access is paid.
Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file
Since 1996 a paper search file has neither been maintained nor used. Since January 2014, the IPO has been currently using “SyPP”, version 2.0, (industrial property rights system) automation system for trademarks for file building. public databases are updated automatically only. Trademark register is kept in an electronic form only.
The Office uses the internal information system SYPP2 (starting from January 2014) to proceed the applications of patents, supplementary patent certificates, utility models, industrial designs, trademarks and appelations of origin/geographical indications. The system has been developed since 2011 as a major upgrade of previous version SYPP which was used from 2004 until 2013. The new application is more flexible, based on Oracle Forms with easier maintaining and more flexible data structure. Data is stored in xml format including the history. The system is also more user-friendly. System is connected with central registers of the Czech Republic (ISZR). The project was co-financed by the European fund for regional development within the EU project Enforcement of Industrial Property Rights..The system enables to maintain official registers of all the industrial property rights. Furthermore it archives all incoming and outgoing communications of the Office, provides the information on the state of proceeding, legal status of registrations and statistical data. The Document Management System (DMS) is integrated as well.. The system also processes international trademarks with designation of the Czech Republic and international trademark applications, where the IPO is office of origin pursuant to Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol. The data are transferred to the electronic Office’s Bulletin and to the The current version of on-line filing system was launched in 2017 and is based on web application. This system has replaced the previous application which was based on pdf forms.. Starting from January 2008, the system produces automatic electronic extracts from registers upon online request. In 2018 the system was adjusted in connection with amendment to Act No. 441/2003 Coll. On Trade Marks which came into force on 1st January 2019. E.g. functions for work with non-traditional trademarks have been introduced.
Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)
Planning, administration, automation, security
Applications for trademark registrations can be filed by post, in person, via data box (an upload up to 20 MB) or electronically (with electronic signature an upload up to 100 MB) to the Office. Wide range of other communications may be submitted electronically via user-friendly interface (an upload up to 100 MB).
Bibliographic details of applications are entered into SyPP2 manually if the application is filed in paper form or automatically if the application is filed via online filing facility. The applicants receive confirmation of filing via post upon their request or electronically if application is filed online. The application file can be inspected after publishing the registration via the Office´s web site https://isdv.upv.cz/webapp/!resdb.rejst.frm
Collection management, preservation
Extended safety is secured via SSL.
Backing up of data changes is done twice a week. Full back up of data is on weekly basis. Backed up files are preserved for 4 weeks.
Information services available to the public
The information centre and the helpdesk operate during the working days. They provide general information concerning the industrial property rights.
Trademark information services for the public are provided within the information centre, in the public reading room, common questions can be addressed to the helpdesk (helpdesk@upv.cz) and search requests to the search section. The Office received a total of 79 trademark search requests in 2018. A total of 2820 searches (for patents, designs, trademarks) were provided for the State administrative bodies.
The Office provides full range of brochures and leaflets free of charge. They can be downloaded in PDF format from the Office´s web site, taken in the office headquarters or sent upon request. The Office publishes its own books and the Industrial Property Journal (6 issues per year) reflecting the current issues of IP rights (both in paper and electronic versions).
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
Patent library stores the trademark bulletins collection (Czech and foreign bulletins). Information about trademarks valid in the territory of the Czech Republic is accessible via public database. The database can be consulted in the public reading room equipped with PC workstations which are available for visitors.
The Office cooperates with Regional Patent Information Centres (PATLIBs) on information product dissemination.
Publications related to different business procedures and trademark information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.
The Office provides full range all IP rights dedicated brochures, leaflets and guides free of charge. They can be downloaded in PDF format from the Office´s web site http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/information-brochures/information-brochures.html, picked up in the Office headquarters or sent upon request. All the materials are distributed to visitors during fairs. The Office publishes its own books.
The Industrial Property Journal reflecting the current issues of IP rights is published six times a year (both in paper and electronic versions).
Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
Cooperation with Prague Metropolitan University on training in a bachelor´s programme in „Industrial Property“ and a master´s programme in „International and Regional Relations in Industrial Property“ continued.
The IPO CZ also cooperates with other universities. There are seminars and educational activities (various topics) for students and academic staff organised in Office’s premises or in university headquarters. University students are also regularly invited for excursions and guided tours in the Office’s premises.
Lectures were held at a number of innovation, technology and Patlib centres. The seminar on “Reform of Trade Mark Law – the Registrability of New Types of Trade Marks” was organised in cooperation with EUIPO.
Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
The Office presented its information activities and products at the following exhibitions and trade fairs:
The Office presented its information activities, information and educational products at the following exhibitions and trade fairs:
- 60th International Engineering Fair (Brno, CZ)
- 17th International Trade Fair of Engineering Technologies FOR INDUSTRY 2018 (Prague, CZ)
- The Science Research Innovation Trade Fair (Brno, CZ)
- Science Festival (Prague, CZ)
- For Interior 2018 (Prague, CZ)
- INVENT ARENA (Trinec, CZ)
- 21th Moscow International Inventions and Innovative Technology Salon (Moscow, RU)
- TESLAFEST 2018 (Novi Sad)
Training courses for national and foreign participants
The IPO CZ regularly organizes wide range of training courses and seminars - such as Trademarks - National and International Legal Protection, Searches in the National and Foreign Trademark Databases, IP Protection and National (CZ) and International Systems of IP Protection, Intellectual Property Protection in Business (SMEs), Technology Transfer, Enforcement of Intellectual Rights, IP Jurisdiction (administrative and judicial issues). All the educational activities are organized for public, mainly for students, academic staff of universities, representatives of SMEs or research institutions and IP professionals.
Every year, a two-year distance learning study of industrial property rights begins within the Industrial Property Training Institute – Office’s own educational facility.
The Office cooperates with EUIPO Academy on providing training and education.
Other activities
The IPO CZ continued its activities for children and youth (elementary school pupils and secondary school students). The Office offers to them short training sessions on industrial rights, guided tours to the Office's headquarters and an example search in patent databases, as well as courses for teachers interested in adding the topic of industrial rights to their curricula. A special section for youth which is maintained on the IPO CZ website was maintained. The leaflets and comics on the topics of patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright can be downloaded in this section. All the materials mentioned are also available for children and youth during their excursions to the IPO CZ or during the fairs and exhibitions. The e-learning course on industrial property for elementary and secondary school students was maintained. The course acquaints young people with the principles or individual institutes of industrial property rights protection in an entertaining way. The IPO also kept on cooperating with the RVP.CZ Methodological Portal, operated by the National Institute for Education to support teachers.
The IPO CZ worked with other partners on projects which popularize technical fields and motivates students of elementary schools toward technical education. It carried out searches on students’ ideas and issued them search reports.
The IPO CZ presented itself at several events for students at elementary schools:
At the Science Fair organized by Czech Academy of Sciences in June 2018, the Office offered information on the industrial rights protection system and educational materials especially to the children and young people for whom the fair was designed. The fair was attended by 24,800 visitors.
The IPO CZ took part in the „Science Festival” held in Prague in September, where universities, scientific institutions and industrial companies were exhibiting. At the stand were offered informational materials, quizzes and memory games, examples of database searches were also presented. Panels with examples of inventions in various fields were prepared. The event was attended by 17,000 visitors.
A presentation of the Amazing Physics Theatre group- (UDiF) was held in 2018 together with a discussion on intellectual property. More than 300 pupils and students of secondary schools attended the program. An exhibition devoted to Czech scientists and their inventions was also prepared for young visitors.
VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION
International exchange of trademark information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes)
The Official Bulletin of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic has been published exclusively electronically since the beginning 2007. The Official Bulletin is published on a weekly basis (updated every Wednesday) instead of the monthly basis as before. The paper version was discontinued.
Electronic version of the Official Bulletin has been available since 2000 (Czech version, English version has been available since 2007) and accessible at the Office’s web site:
http://www.upv.cz/cs/publikace/vestnik-upv.html (Czech version)
http://www.upv.cz/en/publications/ipo-bulletin.html (English version)
Various courses and seminars were organized for students and representatives of SMEs or research institutions; Groups of university students were accepted for excursions and guided tour in the Office’s premises.
Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to trademark information
The Office continued its cooperation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and took part in a number of multilateral projects. The IPO CZ has been included in a group of so-called harmonized project in the TMclass – Harmonized Database of Products and Services project, The complete TMclass database for classifying products and services has been made accessible to users in the Czech language. The IPO CZ was also participating in the TMview project, which has as its goal to provide users with free-of-charge access to information on trademarks valid in the European Union and other participating countries through a unified search interface.
Assistance to developing countries
At the request of foreign IPOs (or WIPO) the Office offers study visits for their staff members.
Other activities
The Industrial Property Office continued to fulfil responsibilities resulting from the Czech Republic's membership in the European Union especially related to the area of industrial property protection. It participated in the meetings of the EU Council Working Group on Intellectual Property.
IPO CZ actively participated in a number of multilateral projects aimed at harmonizing the activities of national IPOs and the system of EU trademarks. These projects are especially focused on quality of services, provision of information to users and raising awareness of the importance of legal protection of trademarks The IPO CZ actively participated in projects aimed at harmonizing the practice of national offices, the quality of services, the provision of information to users and on search tools and databases (eSearch Plus, TMview, TMclass).
The Office was continuing in the system of national searches for the identity and similarity of EU trade mark applications with earlier marks valid in the Czech republic. In 2018, 618 searches were processed for EUIPO. In May 2018, the Office joined the EUIPO Language Check option project, the purpose of which is to find out whether the verbal element contained in EU trade mark applications has any meaning in any Member State´s language. As part of the continuing EUIPO Academy eLearning Portal project, three educational videos were produced in 2018 (TMClass tutorial”, “How to register a trade mark in the Czech Republic” and “How to register an industrial design in the Czech Republic”.
In 2018, the IPO CZ together with other participating Offices reviewed and updated the Common Communication on the representation of new types of trade marks, the first version of which had been published in 2017. This exercise will continue also in following years. In the Czech Republic, the Common Communication started to be applied when the respective amendment of the Act on Trademarks eliminating the graphical representation requirement from the definition of trade mark came into effect (1st January 2019).
In addition to the aforementioned, in 2018 the IPO CZ, other EU Intellectual Property Offices, the EUIPO and the European Commission continued work on a convergence practices (ECP4), in particular focusing on CP8 (Use of a Trade Mark in a form differing from the one registered) and CP9 (Distinctiveness of shape marks containing other elements when the shape itself is non-distinctive) projects which progressed up to the completion of first drafts of the Common Practices. In this year two new projects were approved and launched, CP11 (New types of marks: examination of formal requirements and grounds for refusal) and CP12 (Evidence in Appeal Proceedings: filing, structure, presentation and treatment of confidential evidence). The IPO CZ is represented in the working group of CP11 project.
In May 2018, the Office joined the ECP4 Collaborative Network, Language Check option project, the purpose of which is to find out whether the verbal element contained in EU trade mark applications has any meaning in any Member State’s language.
As part of the continuing ECP3 Academy eLearning Portal project, two educational videos related to trademark were produced in 2018. The very first focusing on classification of goods and services, “TMClass tutorial,” and the latter, “How to register a trade mark in the Czech Republic“ dealing with registration process. These videos are published on the Office website.