Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2024 submitted by Uganda Registration Services Bureau(URSB)
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URLs in responses should meet the following requirements:
I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PATENT INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
In the calendar year 2024, focus was on universities and Research and Development institutions for Patent information activities with Activities implemented through the Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs)
URSB implemented and handed over to a beneficiary community, an appropriate technology developed through the use of patent documents as part of the Bilateral Project on Appropriate Technology for Uganda (BPoAT).
Patent applications declined by 38% while there was a 100% increase in patent grants. Utility model applications grew by 6% while grants declined by 66%
https://ursb.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ursb-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf
II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
While paper filings may be accepted, URSB provides support to applicants for online filing through: https://iponline.ursb.go.ug/services.html, URSB also accepts applications received by email to ip@ursb.go.ug
Applications may be searched through: https://iponline.ursb.go.ug on the link to "view register"
Uganda adopts the International Patent Classification (IPC)
III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
The office publishes bibliographic data in the Uganda Gazette
The Uganda Gazette is the official government publication in Uganda, published weekly with occasional extraordinary publications.
Information available to examiners: The office utilizes open databases including patentscope, google patents, espacenet.
IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
WIPO Industrial Property Administration System (IPAS), a system provided by the World Intellectual Property System for Administration of Industrial Property. System is offered free of charge to the office. Possible improvements include to enable the preparation and editing of reports within the system and to automate timeline reminders in the system.
V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF PATENT INFORMATION
Information on the following topics is desired:
URSB is currently implementing Technology and innovation Support Centers in 37 host institutions. The TISCs are hosted at Universities and research and development institutions.
URSB has also partnered with professional bodies like the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers and the Uganda Law Society to implement patent information activities.
VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION
Information on the following topics is desired:
Uganda Participated in the Regional TISC network meeting in June 2024 .
VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING PATENT INFORMATION
Note: For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values:
- "Implemented";
- "On implementation phase";
- "Planning to implement"; and
- "No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.3: Two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and organizations
Implemented
Two-letter codes are applied in systems and naming of different countries in official codes.
WIPO Standard ST.6: Numbering of published patent documents
Planning to implement
The current number included non-numerical aspects as it relates to the patent application numbers, it is planned for implementation of ST.6.
WIPO Standard ST.9: Bibliographic data on and relating to patents and SPCs
Implemented
Currently Uganda uses INID codes in the bibliographic data on and relating to patents.
WIPO Standard ST.10/C: Presentation of bibliographic data components
On implementation phase
Partially being implemented to be improved.
WIPO Standard ST.13: Numbering of applications for IPRs
On implementation phase
Partially being implemented
WIPO Standard ST.14: References cited in patent documents
Implemented
References cited using INID codes and in order of recommended precedence per standard.
WIPO Standard ST.16: Identification of different kinds of patent documents
Planning to implement
Implementation is planned for next reporting period
WIPO Standard ST.18: Patent gazettes and other patent announcement journals
Planning to implement
The office currently doesn't publish its own patent gazette.
WIPO Standard ST.26: Presentation of nucleotide and amino acid sequence listings using XML
Planning to implement
The office is yet to receive specific applications requiring this standard
WIPO Standard ST.27: Recommendation for the Exchange of Patent Legal Status Data
Planning to implement
The office has not yet commenced exchange of information on Patent Legal Status
WIPO Standard ST.36: Processing of patent information using XML
Planning to implement
The office is planning to review formats for patent information
WIPO Standard ST.37: Recommendation for an Authority File of Published Patent Documents
Planning to implement
Not yet implemented
WIPO Standard ST.50: Corrections, alterations and supplements relating to patent information
Planning to implement
Not yet implemented
WIPO Standard ST.90: Recommendation for processing and communicating Intellectual Property data using Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)
Planning to implement
Not yet implemented
WIPO Standard ST.91: Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images
No plan to implement
Not yet implemented
WIPO Standard ST.92: Recommendations on the Data Package Format for the Electronic Exchange of Priority Documents
No plan to implement
No plan to implement
WIPO Standard ST.96: Processing of Industrial Property information using XML
Planning to implement
Not yet implemented
Other WIPO Standards Related to Patents
Note: Please list any other WIPO Standards related to patents (not mentioned above) that your Office or Organization has implemented, is currently in the process of implementing, or plans to implement in the future. For each Standard, please indicate the implementation status with an option: Implemented, On implementation Phase or Planning to Implement.
VIII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS
Please include any other relevant information here.
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.