SCIT.ATR.PI.2008.GE

Annual Technical Report 2008 on Patent Information Activities submitted by Georgia (SCIT/ATR/PI/2008/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.

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

I. Evolution of patent activities
In 2008 the number of applications filed on inventions was 463 which is less 18% than those filed in 2007. The number of domestic applications decreased by about 11%, those of international applications decreased by about 27%, and the number of foreign applications filed directly with SAKPATENTI increased by about 18%.
The total number of granted patents increased by about 9.6%, those for domestic applications increased by about 12%, and those for international applications decreased by about 10.6%.

Rapid change in the number of filing according to fields of application was not observed.

II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, distribution and use of primary and secondary sources of patent information

II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, distribution and use of primary and secondary sources of patent information
-Preliminary processing of the documents is performed by automated system by use of software applications installed on workstations. Conducted works include: primary processing of applications; entering of bibliographic data, abstracts and drawings into the database; and record-keeping of received documents.
-The Official Bulletins data bulk for publishing in the Georgian language is prepared by generating from the database and formatting them with MsWord text processors.
-The Official Bulletin of Industrial Property is published twice a month on paper, CD-ROM and on the WebSite of SAKPATENTI.
Web pages of the Office’s website are available that provide access to online publication of patent documents and gazettes, and other primary and secondary sources of patent information:
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge

III. Matters concerning abstracting, classifying, reclassifying and indexing of technical information contained in patent documents

III. Matters concerning abstracting, classifying, reclassifying and indexing of technical information contained in patent documents
Documents are classified using IPC classification (core level). Other classifications are not in use.
It is possible to conduct searches in patent bibliographic data with the Office patent database.

IV. Search file establishment and upkeep

IV. Search file establishment and upkeep
All documents are maintained in the Office library on paper. They are kept as numerical and classified collections which are regularly updated and reclassified.
Various Official Bulletins from other International Property Offices of the world are also kept in the library.
The library is also equipped with two workstations having access to the Office patent database and the Internet.

V. Activities in the field of computerized and other mechanized search systems

V. Activities in the field of computerized and other mechanized search systems
Patent search in in-house databases are conducted online by means of LAN. Every examiner has access to the in-house databases from his/her working place. External databases are accessible via the Internet.
Automated system of SAKPATENTI is based on a powerful LAN. The LAN is a high speed network (100 MBps) of which core is built on three 24 port switches. The switches connect HUBs of individual local segments and 5 high-throughput servers. In the LAN, 168 computers, 116 printers, and 72 power supply units (UPS) are contained.

Data flow processing, monitoring and control
1. primary processing of applications on inventions and utility models, both domestic and international; entering of bibliographic data, abstracts and drawings into the database; and record-keeping of outgoing documents.
2. Entering primary information of domestic applications on inventions, bibliographic data, abstracts, and images into the database.
All kinds of changes made in applications, such as corrections, alterations etc. are entered into the database and they are available to the management staff and other persons upon request.


In 2000, development of new project of unified automated system started with the use of last generation information technologies and software means (ORACLE system).
The system algorithm is completely based on legislative articles being currently in force in Georgia. Each application which is filed goes through a certain technological cycle
and appropriated actions are conducted in accordance with the rules. The objective of the functional complex is to administer the following actions:
receiving documents, registration and making modifications to them;
control of time limits;
communication with an applicant with established forms;
formation of databases
conducting searches in the databases;
creation of reference systems and their use;
registry upkeep;
preparation of materials to be published in Official Bulletins;
providing the statistical and other data to the management staff.

For further upgrading the automated system some efforts were made objectives of which were as follows:
- increase of the speed of information processing;
- improvement of operation reliability;
- provision of full automation of the technological cycle;
- formation of the electronic Bulletin in real time;
- possibility of conducting searches with keywords in bibliographic data;
- secure storage of accumulated data;
- extensive use of the Internet for information exchange;
- capability of online filing of applications;
- control of time limits according to the rules of international agreements and protocols;
- control of meeting the requirements of the laws in force, normative acts, rules etc.

The bibliographic data, abstracts and images as well as full-texts of patent documents are extracted from the database and published on the Website database, which is equipped with search engine on MySQL.

VI. Administration of the industrial property office library, and information products 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)

VI. Administration of the industrial property office library and information products 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)
The Office industrial property library is located in separate premises and is equipped with every necessary documentation as well as computers for assisting public in searching procedures, for obtaining official publications, for providing consultations as concerns applications drafting, novelty searches as well as information concerning the innovation.
A set of documents is available in the library specifically for aiding young businessmen, being updated on a regular basis. The set of documents includes all necessary materials concerning the innovation problems.
Web pages of the Office’s website are available that provide information on filing, publication, examination and grant procedures related to patents; as well as URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide a description of information products and services offered by the Office as well as information on how to access and utilize them:
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge
The Website is extremely convenient for a user. Most important information is just one-click away on it.

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of patent documentation and information

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of patent documentation and information
All Official Bulletins stored on CD discs (trilingual versions) are exchanged with various Intellectual Property Offices worldwide. These bulletins are stored in MS Word format. Priority documents are received on paper, however, it is planned to receive them on CD-ROMs. All bulletins, starting from 2005, are published on the Office Website in PDF format.

In 2008 the Office started works on PCT electronic filing and exchange of documents online within the framework of WIPO PCT Cooperative Program.

VIII. Other relevant matters concerning education and training in, and promotion of, the use of patent information, including technical assistance to developing countries (please indicate URLs of web pages of the Office’s website wherever appropriate)

VIII. Other relevant matters concerning education and training in, and promotion of, the use of patent information, including technical assistance to developing countries (please indicate URLs of web pages of the Office’s website wherever appropriate)
The Office is well equipped with audiovisual means for conducting seminars and training courses. Power Point presentations were mainly used as visual means for training purposes.
Some examiners and staff members attended seminars and different events both on site and abroad. A number of them successfully finished the Distance Learning Courses provided by the WIPO Academy.
To provide knowledge dissemination policy in Georgia, the Office continues to publish journal "Intellectual Property" containing papers on all spheres of intellectual property. It is published on paper and on the Website in PDF format (full texts) and sent out to various libraries, universities and other organizations. The authors of the papers are mainly the Office staff members.
To those willing to submit PCT applications in electronic format technical means are available free of charge in the Receiving Office.

IX. Other general information related to the Office that is available on the Internet -- URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that:

IX. Other general information related to the Office that is available on the Internet -- URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that:
URLs of Web pages of the Office’s website that:
• provide information on legislation related to patents
• contain the Annual Report of the Office
• contain patent-related news regarding the Office
are as follows:
http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge ; http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge/Legal_Materials/ ; http://www.sakpatenti.org.ge/ news

X. Other relevant matters