Annual Technical Report 2006 on Industrial Design Information Activities submitted by Pakistan (SCIT/ATR/ID/2006/PK)
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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. Evolution of registration activities
Changes experienced in terms of application filings and grants (registrations) with respect to the previous year
Year 2005:
Total Design Applications Filed: 674
Total Design Registrations: 578
Year 2006:
Total Design Applications Filed: 467
Total Design Registrations: 416
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
In 2006, the number of Design applications and registrations diminished by 30% and 28% respectively compared to 2005.
II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, and distribution of industrial design documents and of secondary sources of industrial design information, i.e., official gazettes
Lists of designs which have been registered, renewed or corrected are entered in the Register of Designs kept at the Patent Office. The new computerized system i.e. Industrial Property Automation System (IPAS) has been implemented by WIPO-funded project.
III. Matters concerning classifying, reclassifying and indexing of industrial design information according to the classification systems applied
Classification and reclassification activities; Classification system used, e.g., International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification), other classification (please indicate whether industrial designs are classified by your Office and, if so, which classification is used)
Design applications are currently classified according to the National Classification which contains 14 numbers of classes.
Bibliographic data and processing
None
IV. Search file establishment and upkeep
The Pakistan registration process does include a novelty search and examiners are able to raise objections against application if their knowledge is such that they are aware that the design is not new.
Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file
No documentation from other offices is maintained or considered part of any search files.
V. Activities in the field of computerized search systems for industrial designs
In-house systems (online/offline)
Searches are undertaken in a number of ways. Bibliographic details are held on the IPAS. Designs images and associated bibliographic details are maintained on the internal Manual System which is used for searching within the office.
External databases
No external databases are searched.
Equipment used (hardware, including the types of terminal and network used, and software), data carriers used
All Pakistan Designs Registry staff are equipped with networked Pentium 4 PCs running the Windows XP operating system attached to a local area network. Standard automation products available to all staff include Microsoft Office products such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
VI. Administration of industrial design information products and services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, registering designs, assisting clients with search procedures, obtaining official publications and registry extracts)
Planning, administration, automation, security
Applications for design registration can be made by post or in person to the Head Office at Karachi or the Regional Office at Lahore.
Bibliographic details of applications are captured and design images scanned onto the IPAS system but the industrial design is maintained in secrecy by law, even after registration.
Information services available to the public (including computerized services and search files contained in libraries remote from your Office and industrial design information posted by your Office on the World Wide Web).
The Patent Office web site provides a wide range of information including the benefits of design registration, procedure for registration, relevant laws and guidelines for applicants. All currently used forms are available in pdf format along with guidance on completion and applicable fee information.
Guidelines for applicants are also available in printed guidebook and through Karachi Office. A search of registered designs is available on payment of a fee.
VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of industrial design documentation and information
International or regional cooperation in the exchange of industrial design information, e.g., in the form of official gazettes
There is no formal exchange of documentation or information.
VIII. Matters concerning education and training including technical assistance to developing countries (please indicate URLs of web pages of the Office’s website wherever appropriate)
Promotional activities (seminars, exhibitions, visits, advertising, etc.)
Seminars were held in various institutions including Chambers of Commerce and Industry as a part of awareness campaign of IPO-Pakistan. Flexi banners have been displayed at the international airports of the country.