Annual Technical Report on Industrial Design Information Activities in 2025 submitted by Bulgaria/ Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria

Please provide links to your website where the requested information can be found in English, French, or Spanish.  Alternately, you may provide text responses instead of URLs if desired.  If the information is not available on your website in an ATR language, then please provide text.

URLs in responses should meet the following requirements:

The term "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

In the framework of continuous harmonization with European Union legislation and the broader international legal framework in the field of industrial designs, the Bulgarian Patent Office (BPO) has steadily advanced its strategic objectives, building upon the foundational milestones of recent years. Following the formalization of key international instruments, the Office remains fully dedicated to the responsible integration of modern global standards into the domestic legal order, ensuring a robust, predictable, and highly efficient ecosystem for intellectual property rights.

A central pillar of this ongoing modernization is the implementation of the new European Union design framework. Regulation (EU) 2024/2822 on Community Designs, with its package of phase I of the legislative measures, has entered into force. The BPO has successfully finalized the adjustment of its internal operational workflows, technical infrastructure, and administrative databases to align with these comprehensive procedural and substantive update. In this fully active regulatory environment, the Office continues its deep and dynamic cooperation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and fellow national offices, actively collaborating on the consistent interpretation, harmonized application, and practical execution of the revised Regulation to benefit users across the region.

In parallel, the complex task of integrating Directive (EU) 2024/2823 into the national legal framework continues to progress actively. The BPO is heavily engaged in the ongoing transposition process, managing the intricate legal analyses, inter-institutional coordination, and necessary legislative drafting required to seamlessly weave these regional mandates into Bulgarian law. This sustained endeavor is being carried out with careful consideration of its long-term impact on the domestic market, ensuring that the final national provisions effectively support stakeholders, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and legal practitioners, by providing a modernized and accessible design registration system.

Beyond these regional legislative achievements, the BPO has maintained its strong presence and proactive stance on the global stage. Throughout the period, BPO experts and representatives have actively participated in the vital work of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) committees. This includes sustained engagement within the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs (SCT), the Committee of Experts on the Locarno Classification, and the subsequent technical frameworks shaping the international design landscape. Through these efforts, the Republic of Bulgaria remains firmly committed to supporting international dialogue, fostering administrative cooperation, and advancing the global protection of industrial designs.

In connection with aligning the secondary legislation with the requirements of the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria and the National Plan for the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, a new Tariff of Fees Collected by the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria was adopted during the reporting period. The Tariff was adopted by Decree № 13 of the Council of Ministers dated 27th February 2025, published in the State Gazette № 18 of 4th March 2025, and enters into force on the date of the introduction of the euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, effective from 1st January 2026.

Pursuant to the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria and the National Plan for the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, a Price List of Services Provided to the Public by the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria was approved by an order of the President of the Patent Office dated 6 August 2025. In accordance with § 4 of Decree № 13 of the Council of Ministers dated 27 February 2025, the approved Price List was published in the unofficial section of the State Gazette, № 104 of 5 December 2025.


The Bulgarian Patent Office uses the following databases and information systems:

  • BPO Online – online search tool for national industrial designs. It supports searching by applicant/holder, Locarno class and subclass, filing date, registration date, application number and registration number. The database is integrated with the Office's administrative system.
  • IPAS – administrative management system storing bibliographic data and images of national industrial designs. All documents are scanned and attached to the electronic design dossier.
  • HAGUE EXPRESS – WIPO database for international industrial designs.
  • DESIGNview – online search platform providing access to national, international and Community designs.
  • DESIGNclass – online classification and translation tool supporting the Locarno Classification.
  • Publications and online information dedicated to SMEs.


During 2025, the Bulgarian Patent Office continued the maintenance of its registers and information systems supporting industrial design administration and information services.

Information materials were published electronically, including:

  • official announcements;
  • Office news;
  • statistical information;
  • project information;
  • industrial property information;
  • other public information resources.

 

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

In 2025, the Bulgarian Patent Office received in total 112 industrial design applications under national procedure. Of these, 110 applications were filed by Bulgarian applicants, while 2 applications  were filed by foreign applicants.

The BPO has sent 3 applications for international registration of Bulgarian industrial designs under the Protocol to The Hague Agreement.

After the examination procedure, the Office issued 88 positive decisions concerning the grant of industrial design protection rights under national procedure, while the remaining 15 were refusal or withdrawals.

By comparison, in 2024, 131 decisions were issued on industrial design applications, of which 117 were for registration and 14 were for refusal, termination, or withdrawal.

Similar to utility model registration applications, the number of industrial design registration applications for which a decision was issued in 2025 is directly dependent on applicant activity for that year, with all applications processed within the statutory time limits.

As of December 31, 2025, there are a total of 1,549 active industrial design registrations.

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

Applicants receive information and support through:

Users of BPO Online have access to the applications they have filed electronically.

Applicants can also view electronically all documents related to their industrial design applications.

In June 2025, the Bulgarian Patent Office has launched a fully redesigned electronic portal based on the EUIPO User Area platform. The new system offers enhanced e-services, online payments, draft-saving, OS-independent e-signatures, improved electronic registers, and direct access to major international IP databases.

From August 2025, the portal also includes a new "Correspondence from the BPO" section, providing users with centralized access to all outgoing correspondence related to electronically filed IP applications and subsequent actions.

Industrial designs are classified using the Locarno Classification, including electronic classification systems and predefined classification terms.

Matters concerning classifying

(i) Classification and reclassification activities; classification systems used, e.g., International Classification of product indications to which an industrial design is applied for the Purposes of the Registration of Industrial Design (Locarno Classification

(ii) Use of electronic classification systems and pre-defined terms of the classification applied

Product Indications for the registration of industrial designs are classified by our Office using the International Industrial Design Classification of Locarno in its latest active edition. It is maintained and used both on paper and electronically. During the procedure, if necessary, the Office's staff amends the product indication and/or the Locarno class after communicating this with the applicant.

Matters concerning processing of different types of non-traditional industrial designs (e.g., three-dimensional, animation, etc.)

Currently, the Office does not accept non-traditional industrial design or designs visually represented by animation or 3D rendered images. However, based on the recast Design Directive (EU) 2024/2823 this will change and the Office will begin accepting the aforementioned file formats as visual representation of industrial designs.

III. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

The Official bulletin is published electronically twice a month. It may be accessed at: https://portal.bpo.bg/bpo-journal

Since October 2017, the Official Bulletin of the Office is published two times a month. Since April 2009 the paper version of the Bulletin has been discontinued and nowadays it is published exclusively in electronic form on the Office's official website.

The publications in the Official Bulletin comprise bibliographic data and images (in color, if claimed) of national industrial design applications and registrations. Moreover, announcements concerning all entries in the State Industrial Design Register – changes in the legal status, renewals, modifications, cancellations, transfers of rights, license agreements etc., have been published regularly in the Bulletin.

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

Internal databases (online/offline):

  • IPAS – administrative system and database
  • BPO Online – web-based service for public access to information of the applications and registered industrial designs in BPO.

External databases:


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

BPO Online – https://portal.bpo.bg

BPO also provides access to industrial design data in the reading room where external users can search in online databases and databases on storage drives.

Paid information services on request are available to the public through the Patent Office.

Electronic information services include:

  • identity and similarity searches;
  • legal status searches;
  • name searches;
  • complex searches;
  • industrial design number searches;
  • searches covering Registered Community Designs (RCDs);
  • Hague System registrations;
  • legal status certificates.

The industrial design information is accessible on the World Wide Web of BPO through the online search system for industrial design – "BPO ONLINE".

Industrial design information is available through the BPO Online search system.

Searches are carried out using collections of:

  • national industrial designs;
  • international industrial designs;
  • Registered Community Designs (RCDs).
  • Different security levels are used depending on user access rights.

 

The Central Patent Library provides public access to the Official Bulletins from foreign countries to the CD collections and Internet databases containing information on industrial design.

Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)

To record changes in the legal status of exclusive rights protected in Bulgaria, applicants must submit the relevant application and pay the prescribed fee to the Office. Users may also obtain excerpts from the register.

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements

Industrial Property Administration System (IPAS) is software developed and owned by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). At the same time, it is constantly being upgraded with new functionalities to facilitate the work of experts in the office.

Document Management System (DMS) is a system used to administer incoming, outgoing and internal documents, while at the same time it is linked to IPAS. It manages correspondence with applicants and other activities related to the work of the office.

Hardware used to support business processes of the Office

  • Desktop and Laptop Computers – used by employees for daily tasks such as communication, document processing, data entry, etc.
  • Servers – host internal systems, applications, databases, and file storage.
  • Network Equipment – routers, switches, and firewalls ensure secure and stable internet and intranet connectivity.
  • Printers and Scanners – for handling physical documents.
  • VoIP Phones / Communication Devices – for internal and external communication.
  • Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and diesel power generator – to protect critical systems from power outages.
  • External Storage Devices – for backups or data transfer.

Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

Internal databases are created form IPAS and DMS. Data is extracted and updated simultaneously from the systems. A structured backup regime is in place to ensure preservation of the information.

The systems are connected to external sources such as EPO, WIPO, Espacenet, TMView, etc.

Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file

File Building

The electronic search file includes documents from national applications for all IP objects created by the e-filing system and automatically generated into the back-office system as a electronic dossier with application number and any other related information.

Applications made in paper format from the applicants are also uploaded into the back-office systems manually.

Updating

The files are regularly updated via automatic services or manually when needed.

Storage, including mass storage media

All documents are stored on secure servers and external storage devices (backup servers) with backup copies and indexing mechanisms.

Old (paper) dossiers related to IP objects are scanned and processed with OCR and uploaded into internal search tool, making it possible for the experts to search directly into the document text if needed.

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

In the field of all IP objects, BPO uses IPAS as an administrative management system which functions also like Register system, Legal status module, Statistics module and Administrative support tools.

The system is completely internal resource, with secure user access and audit trails. It updates the data in the public registry via API’s, which helps the applicants and users see public information about the IP objects.

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

On 4 February 2025, the BPO signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Medical University - Pleven. The cooperation supports research, development, protection and commercialisation of intellectual property created by the university and promotes the practical use of industrial property protection, including design-related knowledge, in scientific and applied research. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentno-vedomstvo-podpisa-memorandum-za-satrudnichestvo-s-meditsinskiya-universitet-pleven

On 24 March 2025, the President of BPO, Olya Dimitrova, took part as a guest lecturer in the forum “Innovations 2025: Uniting Opportunities and Building the Future”, organised by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and the Council on Innovation, Digitalisation and New Technologies at BCCI. Her participation in the panel dedicated to business environment development, R&D and initiatives supporting businesses in the protection and management of intellectual property promoted the role of industrial property as a practical tool for innovation, technology transfer and market expansion. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/predsedatelyat-na-patentno-vedomstvo-olya-dimitrova-vze-uchastie-vav-forum-inovatsii-2025-obedinyavame-vazmozhnosti-i-izgrazhdame-badeshteto

On 25 April 2025, the BPO and UniBIT marked World Intellectual Property Day through a national seminar and signed a partnership memorandum. The event promoted the role of intellectual property in art, science and innovation, including awareness of design protection and its importance for creativity, cultural industries and business development. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentno-vedomstvo-i-unibit-otbelyazaha-zaedno-svetovniya-den-na-intelektualnata-sobstvenost-dvete-institutsii-podpisaha-memorandum-za-partnyorstvo

On 30 April 2025, the National Intellectual Property Map of the Republic of Bulgaria was presented at UNWE, in the presence of BPO representatives and because of broad institutional cooperation based on a six-party memorandum facilitated between BPO, government institutions, local authority and universities. The initiative promoted access to structured information and indicators on intellectual property at municipal level and supported better understanding of the role of IP rights, including trademarks, in regional development, innovation policy and the creation of a more informed environment for businesses, municipalities and public institutions. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/v-unss-beshe-predstavena-natsionalna-karta-na-intelektualnata-sobstvenost-v-republika-balgariya

On 13 May 2025, the BPO, in cooperation with EUIPO, conducted the online seminar “IPforYOU - Bulgaria”, aimed at lawyers, legal professionals and IP experts. The programme included topics related to the protection of trademarks and designs, supporting users in understanding practical aspects of design protection, enforcement and dispute resolution. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/onlayn-seminar-ipforyou-balgariya-registratsiyata-e-otvorena

On 25 June 2025, the BPO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office. The cooperation supports future awareness-raising, training, events and exchange of good practices, contributing to the promotion of industrial property knowledge, including in the field of industrial designs. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentnoto-vedomstvo-na-republika-balgariya-podpisa-memorandum-za-razbiratelstvo-s-ungarskoto-vedomstvo-za-intelektualna-sobstvenost

On 30 September 2025, the BPO conducted a webinar on strategies and methods for protecting rights in trademarks and industrial designs. The activity promoted practical knowledge on the protection and enforcement of industrial design rights and supported users in making effective use of available IP protection mechanisms. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/uebinar-za-prilagane-na-strategii-i-sposobi-za-zashtita-na-pravata-varhu-targovski-marki-i-promishleni-dizayni

On 11 November 2025, the BPO organized a webinar on the reform of EU legislation concerning the legal protection of industrial designs. The activity aimed to inform users and stakeholders about legislative developments in the EU design system and to support the effective use of updated design protection rules. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/uebinar-na-tema-reformata-v-zakonodatelstvoto-na-es-otnosno-pravnata-zakrila-na-promishlenite-dizayni

On 25 November 2025, a representative from the BPO took part in the international conference “Heritage that Inspires - Geographical Indications, Local Craftsmanship and Design”, organised by the Polish Patent Office. The participation took part as a lecturer, contributed to the promotion of design as a tool for preserving cultural heritage, supporting local craftsmanship and strengthening the economic value of creative and regional products.

On 2 December 2025, the President of BPO took part in the expert discussion “AI: The Role of Humans in Judicial and Law Enforcement Processes”, organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. The event promoted informed dialogue on the use of artificial intelligence in law and enforcement, with emphasis on human oversight, responsible innovation and the relevance of these issues for institutions, rights holders and users of the IP system.

On 3 December 2025, the BPO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Albania’s General Directorate of Industrial Property. The cooperation aims to promote joint activities, training, events and exchange of good practices, contributing to institutional cooperation and the wider dissemination of knowledge in the field of industrial property, including designs. - https://www.bpo.bg/bg/novini/2025/patentnoto-vedomstvo-na-republika-balgariya-podpisa-memorandum-za-razbiratelstvo-s-glavnata-direktsiya-po-intelektualna-sobstvenost-na-republika-albaniya

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

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

The activity of the Bulgarian Patent Office in terms of international cooperation is directly related to Bulgaria's membership in international organizations in the field of intellectual property protection – the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Office for Intellectual Property (EUIPO). Enhanced bilateral cooperation with institutions in the field of intellectual property of other countries has also been carried out.

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

The Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding in June. The agreement aims to support cooperation through awareness-raising activities, training initiatives, joint events and the exchange of best practices, contributing to the promotion of industrial property knowledge, including in the field of industrial designs.

The Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the General Directorate of Industrial Property of the Republic of Albania signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December. The agreement aims to promote joint activities, training programmes, events and the exchange of best practices, contributing to institutional cooperation and the wider dissemination of knowledge in the field of industrial property, including designs.

VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION

Note: For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values: 

  • "Fully implemented"
  • “Partially implemented”
  • "On implementation phase"
  • "Planning to implement"
  • “On assessment phase” 
  • "No plan to implement"

WIPO Standard ST.2:  Standard manner for designating calendar dates by using the Gregorian calendar

Partially implemented.

In the applications user interface (including electronic registers) the dates follow the Bulgarian national standard dd.mm.yyyy for better human readability and compliance with the national e-governance legislation.
In some data exchange formats, yyyymmdd [hh:mm:ss] is used where specified in the specific exchange protocol.


WIPO Standard ST.3:  Recommended standard on two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and intergovernmental organizations

Fully Implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.13:  Recommendation for the numbering of applications for industrial property rights (IPRs)

Fully Implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.80:  Recommendation concerning bibliographic data relating to industrial designs

Fully Implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.81:  Recommendation concerning the content and layout of industrial design gazettes

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.86:  Recommendation for the processing of industrial design information using XML (extensible markup language)

Fully Implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.87:  Recommendation for the exchange of industrial design legal status data

No plan to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.88:  Recommendations for electronic representation of industrial designs

Planning to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.90:  Recommendation for processing and communicating intellectual property data using web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

Partially implemented.

BPO provides REST APIs to EPO patent register and to TMView and DSView.


WIPO Standard ST.91:  Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images

Planning to implement.


WIPO Standard ST.92:  Recommendations on the data package format for the electronic exchange of priority documents

Planning to implement.

BPO is planning to join to DAS system.


WIPO Standard ST.96:  Recommendation for the processing of intellectual property information using XML (extensible markup language)

Fully Implemented.

All kinds of data exchanges are in XML format based on ST.96.


WIPO Standard ST.97:  Recommendation for processing of intellectual property data using JSON

No plans to implement.

No business needs identified.

VIII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS

N/A