CWS.ATR.ID.2013.PL

Annual Technical Report 2013 on Industrial Design Information Activities submitted by Poland (CWS/ATR/ID/2013/PL)

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 expression "industrial designs" covers industrial designs and models. Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in this series of Annual Technical Reports.

I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of industrial design information activities and expected time frames for their realization

A number of projects were established within The Cooperation Fund, a lot of them have already been implemented but still on some of them the work is carried out. The Cooperation Fund covers work in collaboration between OHIM and national offices. Main goals of this project are: harmonization of practices, adaptation to the digital environment, barrier removal, improvement of technical system. Such objectives create a good strategy especially in order to adapt to the competitive internal European and digital market. That’s why here in Poland, the Office decided to participate in all of the 20 CF projects.

Since 2013 Polish Patent Office uses new databases as follows:

• Quality Standard for Trade Marks and Designs - Transparent and harmonized information about services and quality standards provided by participating offices.
• Common User Satisfaction Survey - Harmonized User Satisfaction Survey - a Cooperation Fund project, the Common User Satisfaction Survey allows for a common approach to carrying out surveys across participating IP offices. The project also allows for the cross-linkage of other CF projects, like Quality. An analysis of the completed survey will allow the participating office to: measure customer satisfaction draw attention to areas for improvement plan future work of the office
• eLearning - tool providing online training for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). This e-Learning tool is divided into two main sections: "Why is Intellectual Property important", where you can find information about Intellectual Property throughout the different stages of production, and "What and How to protect" where you can find information targeted towards Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), covering the different types of Intellectual Property rights.
• Enforcement Database - an up to date database to help enforcement agencies to better identify counterfeit goods. The tool holds data on registered IP rights, contact information, supplementary product information and logistics. This information can be used by enforcement authorities in order to detect counterfeit products.
• Anti – Counterfeiting Intelligence Support Tool - with this tool enforcement authorities can see how counterfeited goods are moving within the internal market so that they can use their resources more efficiently. The system enables end users (enforcement authorities, the OHIM Observatory, etc.) to upload the relevant data via a user friendly interface.

New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies(plans) mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks

New projects launched or resumed in 2013 include:

Implementation of the Internet Education Platform which will enable the preparation and publication of e-learning courses for SME entrepreneurs, familiarizing them with the matters concerning subjects of protection.
Initialization of the implementation of the platform based on the SharePoint 2013, aiming ultimately to take over the functionality provided by the existing "Databases UPRP" platform. Search engine will be linked against other search systems, which are in the portfolio of the Office (Publication Server, Register Plus).
Preparation of the new website concerning International Patent Classification, and migration of the data from the existing site functioning under the Online Services Portal, which will allow to provide full support for this system by WIPO (the creator of solutions), as well as easy implementation of new features and improvements offered by the WIPO.
Preparation the new website publishing Official Gazette of the Office containing "Wiadomości Urzedu Patentowego" (WUP) and „Biuletyn Urzędu Patentowego” (BUP). Migration of the documents from Online Services Portal.
Publication of the results of industrial design descriptions digitalization project on the Publication Server.
Modification of the Publications Server enabling publishing and retrieval of industrial design.
Implementation of the new publication (searching) server “Lista Rzecznikow Patentowych” [Patent Attorneys List], containing list of patent attorneys, together with the migration of data from the Online Services Portal. Adjustment of the data structure and adaptation of the system to the current legislation.

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

The works are still pending on implementation the following projects:

• BackOffice - The Polish Patent Office (PPO) has completed the final stages of the parallel go-live of the Back Office project. The Back Office, developed by OHIM´s Cooperation Fund, is a workflow-based system for handling trademarks and designs throughout the whole lifecycle of the process, from application to registration and publication. It also streamlines the working process, by helping users to create and monitor correspondence with clients. Its auto completion system automatically fills in trademark and design data into letters. The tool calculates fees, holding all information on one single page, and handles files, organising notes and correspondence. The PPO team has already begun to register trademarks through the system, and has migrated many more. The Back Office was implemented thanks to huge efforts from Warsaw-based IT and IP experts, with support from OHIM colleagues in Alicante and on the ground in Poland.

• DesignView - a common search system for designs, based on information pooled from different sources. Also, a complementary examination/invalidation tool for participating IP offices. Designview is an online consultation tool allowing any Internet user to search, free of charge, the designs of all participating offices. It is a multilingual and easy-to-use tool, and gives access to design applications and registrations provided by the participating offices through a single and unique platform. Each office owns the content it makes available and is responsible for its daily update.

Modification of the Publications Server enabling publishing and retrieval of industrial design.

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

In 2013, The Polish Patent Office received 1,333 industrial design applications, which is 1.3% less than in 2012.
Polish applicants made 1,317 applications and foreign applicants made 16 applications under national procedure.
1,477 decisions were issued, including 1,263 positive ones. The Patent Office received from domestic applicants 39 applications for Community Industrial Designs, which were transmitted to the Office of Harmonisation for the Internal Market.
The number of industrial design registration rights in force on 31 December 2013 was 11,396.

II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN 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

In December 2013, IP Info Centre was created - new division within the PPO Receiving Department.

Current PPO information and support options include:
1) Via website: http://www.uprp.pl/przedmioty-wlasnosci-przemyslowej/Menu02,12,4,index,pl/ (all information about patents, trademarks, designs and instructions)
2) via telephone: (+48 22 579 02 20, +48 22 579 01 53)
3) via e-mail: http://www.uprp.pl/Text01,205,161,1,index,pl,text/
4) in PPO (personally)
In the future the IP info project will be enlarged with two additional clients' communication options:
- live chat
- callback.
The project will provide new possibilities of customer relations in our new IP Info Center, including implementation of the contact center and CRM systems.

Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

Customers using the Online Services Portal have access to the application files sent by them electronically to the PPO. If they agree to further conduct correspondence electronically they have access to the application dossier in electronic form.
Start-up of the full (two-way) communication with the Office clients via general correspondence form on Electronic Platform of Public Administration Services (ePUAP)
Customers using the Electronic Platform of Public Administration Services (ePUAP) have access to application files they sent electronically to the Patent Office. They also receive automatic confirmation of delivery of documents to the Patent Office. If they prefer to continue exchanging correspondence electronically, they receive a reply concerning the progress of proceedings and application number, also electronically.
Preparation of further 7 electronic forms to the existing one, allowing customers of the Office to further proceed matters relating to objects of protection in electronic form via Electronic Platform of Public Administration Services (ePUAP).

Classification and reclassification activities; classification system used, e.g., International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification), other classification

Annex No. 3 to the Ordinance of the President of the Council of Ministers of 30 January 2002 (as amended, Official Journal No 40, item 358 and No 106 item 893 of 2005) on filing and considering industrial designs applications applies in the Polish Patent Office in the scope of industrial designs.
PPO uses its own classification based on the 6th edition of Locarno Classification. The existing files are not reclassified. Application documents are scanned and indexed.

III. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Main types of publications in the field of industrial design information, outline of the content (industrial design applications, design patents, registrations, etc.) and medium (on paper, on CDs, online – URLs)

In 2013, the following publications (periodicals) were issued:
- "Wiadomosci Urzedu Patentowego" (second level Official Gazette - monthly) 12 numbers, i.e. 1,685 copies.
- 2012 Annual Report of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland - 1,050 copies.
- "Industrial designs in activity of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises" - 15 000 copies
Most publications are available on the PPO's website http://www.uprp.pl - and continues at: http://ipu.uprp.pl(Online Service Portal).

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

The Polish Patent Office's second level Official Gazette ("Wiadomości Urzedu Patentowego" - where industrial design registrations are published, among others) is forthwith available free of charge in PDF format on the Online Services Portal (http://ipu.uprp.pl/portal/web/guest/publikacje.
In 2013, there were 1,367 announcements published on registered industrial designs.
Announcements regarding non-procedural matters, but coupled with 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" which falls under the official PPO's web site. Many non-regular, important announcements are immediately published within the content of the website.

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

- Online Services Portal with: IP information on industrial design, access to patent gazettes, classifications, e-filings and patent attorney's list: http://ipu.uprp.pl
- Publication Server - Polish industrial design: http://pubserv.uprp.pl (user interface in 3 languages - PL, EN and FR)
- Industrial design data stored on specialized internal databases of the PPO where image information and bibliographic details are held.

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

In addition to manual search facilities, the PPO's and the Online Services Portal websites provide information relating to design registrations including forms and fees, legal decisions, guides for applicants. Information is also available from the Office's Information Unit.
Full text specifications of industrial designs registered in the PPO organised in classified collections are displayed for the users in the Office's Library. Copies of specifications are available upon payment (price list available on the PPO website or on the spot).
Online sources of patent information include:
- Online Services Portal (free of charge) with: IP information on industrial designs, access to classifications, e-filings and patent attorney's directory: http://ipu.uprp.pl
- 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.

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, industrial design register is held. The register includes 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 o protection (f. ex. holders, licensees, securities, seizure) and other useful information (f. ex. applications for revocation). Every person who submits relevant application and pays a fee to the account of the Office can obtain excerpts from the register.

IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office

- Workstations run under Windows XP/Windows 7/Windows 8.1 environments, and server's operational systems are Microsoft Windows Server (2003, 2008, 2008 R2, 2012 R2), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (10 and 11) and Debian (5, 6 and 7) GNU/Linux, Ubuntu Server, Oracle Linux (6), CentOS (6). Replacement of the operating systems on MS Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 is in progress. The SAN mass storage network was configured in order to make disk-arrays available to the computing systems. All of workstations are secured by McAfee antivirus and antispam system. All network connections are based on CISCO and Alcatel equipment with 200 Mb/s access to the Internet. - Server infrastructure for the Online Portal includes 9 application servers; 5 database servers; 10 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 Main power supply unit for the PPO.
- Back office hardware located in secured/zoned Data Centre with fire alarm and CTV system, redundant air-conditioning and technical floor.

Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

Industrial design data are stored on the specialized, regularly updated internal databases, where image information and bibliographic details are held, for example:
- Wzoprzem – system supporting the process of granting rights of protection for trademarks and industrial designs;
- databases supporting the process of publication of industrial designs.

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

Off-line systems provide information to examiners, lawyers and the accounting staff (payroll and finance-accounting system)

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

Office’s library (if deals with industrial design information): equipment, collection management, network of libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign libraries

Full text specifications of industrial designs registered in the PPO organised in classified collections were displayed for the users in the Office's reading room.

Publications related to different business procedures and industrial design 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.

Publication titles are as follows: Your world of intellectual property, What is intellectual property, Industrial designs in MSEs activity, Intellectual property in information society, Industrial protection in a nutshell.
In 2013 the PPO started implementation of the project aimed at preparing and distributing a few dozen booklets on different aspects of intellectual property. The booklets were distributed as training and conference materials at different events and in the future will be posted on the Internet Educational Platform still under construction.

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

The Patent Office collaborates 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 2013 the Office collaborated with the following entities, to name a few:
- collaboration with universities (Jagiellonian University in Krakow, University of Warsaw, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Lodz University of Technology, Kielce University of Technology, Warsaw University of Technology, Wrocław University of Technology, Krakow University of Technology, AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow etc.)

- collaboration with science and business related institutions, including: Polish Federation of Engineering Associations, Association of Polish Inventors and Rationalizers, Polish Union of Inventor and Rationalizer Associations, Polish Economic Chamber of Advanced Technologies, Lewiatan Confederation, Polish Patent Attorney Chamber;

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

In 2013, within industrial property protection the PPO organised or participated in the following events:
- 6th International Conference "Women's Innovation and Creativity - Design as a Chance for MSE" organized in Warsaw by the Patent Office in cooperation with WIPO, among others.
- International Conference on World Intellectual Property Day "Intellectual Property in the Internet. How to use it without infringement. How to protect it without restricting" organised in Warsaw in cooperation with WIPO.
- 9th International Symposium "Intellectual Property in Innovative Economy. Launching innovations on the market: converting knowledge into profit" held in Krakow in cooperation inter alia with EPO and WIPO.
- Regional trainings on computer software protection.
- Trainings on industrial property protection for MSEs and business-related institutions.
- Specialised Seminar on intellectual property valuation.
- 32nd Seminar for Patent Attorneys of Schools of Higher Education in Cedzyna.
- Exhibition Polish Dots in Warsaw, Geneva and Lodz.
- Lectures and consultancy and advisory meetings within 16th Science Festival and open days of the Patent Office.
- Annual "Scientific Picnic" of the Bis Radio and Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw.
- 9th Fairs of Industrial Technology, Science and Innovation "Technicon Innovations 2013" in Gdansk.
- Ceremony of prize award in the 11th edition of the competition for the best artistic poster as well as post-doctoral, doctoral, master's and student's theses on the subject of industrial property organized by the Patent Office.
In 2013 The PPO continued implementation of the project Internet Educational Platform which constitutes compendium of knowledge on intellectual property issues. The target group comprises enterprises (especially MSEs) business related institutions (including schools of higher education) and other entities.
- The Knowledge Zone will include information, publications and other materials addressed both to entities with advanced knowledge on IP issues and entrepreneurs looking for basic information on IP protection, procedures and management.
- Training Zone will comprise e-learning course divided into 10 modules on intellectual property protection. Each module will end with a test to verify the acquired knowledge.
Within systemic project, in 2013 The PPO organised a series of advisory-informational meetings with renowned experts in the field of intellectual property, which gathered in total 950 guests.

VI.INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION

International exchange of industrial design information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes)

n/a

Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to industrial design information

See point I above

Assistance to developing countries

n/a

VII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS

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