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Where URLs are requested below, it is preferred that either URLs which a= re 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 acce= ss the corresponding information.
National Applications
2002 Applications: 27,525 Classes: 32,540
2003 Applications: 26,524 Classes: 31,846
International designations
2002 8,488 Classes: 11,715
2003 7,220 Classes: 8,905
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous ye=
ar.
Both national applications and additional classes show a slight reduction =
in 2003. International applications during 2003 show a reduction of 15% com=
pared to 2002.
The weekly Trade Marks Journal is published weekly in electronic form on=
ly. The Journal is produced and edited via networked PCs by the JEEPS syste=
m using BroadVision QuickSilver desk top publishing software. Bibliographic=
data for the Journal is transferred from the mainframe OPTICS system with =
figurative data being taken from the IBIS (Integrated Bibliographic and Ima=
ge System). Once published marks face a three months period where oppositio=
n may be filed before registration is achieved.
Designations made under the Madrid Protocol are also published in the Trad=
e Marks Journal for opposition purposes.. Bibliographic and figurative data=
are obtained from the specialised TMAD system.
Both national and Madrid Protocol designation areas of the Journal are sea=
rchable by agent, proprietor, mark or image.
A downloadable pdf version of the Journal is also available from our web s=
ite and version are available for a subscription on CD.
The electronic journal also contains lists of announcements relating to =
trade mark applications and registrations. This is called the Journal Backp=
art. Announcements include changes to names & addresses, marks entered =
on to the register, marks removed from the register, assignment of marks an=
d details concerning licensees.
Notices regarding changes of practice, office procedures, names and contac=
t details of office officials and other changes are published on our web si=
te. www.patent.gov.uk.
All staff in the UK Trade Marks Registry are equipped with networked Pen=
tium 4 PCs which are connected to a local area network running IntraNetWare=
6. Standard office automation products available to all staff include Micr=
osoft Office products such as Word and Novell GroupWise for e-mail.
An object orientated system is available for generating examination report=
s. This uses DAIS, a CORBA compliant object request broker, to manage the a=
cquisition of bibliographic data from the OPTICS mainframe and the image da=
ta and its inclusion in a WordPerfect report. This system is known as TERN.=
The image database system IBIS is based on Documentum but is customised to=
our own requirements. The IBIS system allows for the viewing of bibliograp=
hic information in addition to figurative details.
A PC system called QUALS is available to trade mark examiners via their ne=
tworked PCs allowing them to view and print details of cases discussed at w=
eekly quality meetings.
The main channels for the distribution of trade mark information are:
a) For individual applications or registrations through the Trade Marks Jo=
urnal advertisement and through changes notified in the Journal Backpart
b) Via our web site. This may be specific to trade marks or more generally=
. Important announcements are highlighted by way of a =E2=80=9CHot Topic=E2=
=80=9D item.
c) Through the supply of data to commercial information providers on a con=
tractual basis
The UK uses the International Classification of Goods and Services for t=
he Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification) 8th Edition.=
Applicants are not obliged to use pre-defined terms but any terms which ar=
e not understood or which are unclear will be queried during the examinatio=
n process. A searchable electronic version of the UK classification listing=
all the acceptable goods and services terms is available to examiners. Thi=
s guide is also available via the Internet.
For figurative marks the UK uses a version of the Vienna Classification sy=
stem. This is consistent with the full version of the system but for some f=
igurative marks the UK does not go below the second level, and for others a=
number of entries have been amalgamated.
The classification of figurative marks is undertaken by office staff at th=
e time the mark is scanned into the IBIS image system. The classification c=
an be amended subsequently if necessary.
No electronic classification systems are used to check the lists of good= s & services provided by applicants. A searchable database of enhanced = acceptable classification terms is available via our web site.
There is no obligation for applicants to use pre-defined classification = terms. General classification advice can be obtained from our Central Enqui= ry Unit or from our specialist Classification team who are available via th= e telephone during office hours or via e-mail, fax or written enquiries. As= new terms are deemed acceptable they are added to our classification datab= ase available to trade mark examiners and via the Internet.
Trade mark applications can be made via a paper form or for larger filer=
s electronically via the PaTras system.
Both conventional paper and electronically filed applications are built in=
to paper case files. Case files are kept in examination areas until the app=
lication reaches publication stage. Once publication has been achieved the =
files are despatched to our storage facility.
No manual search file is held.
Two systems are used for word searching. These are the Marksman system d= eveloped by the Swedish Patent Office which is the primary system used by t= rade mark examiners. Word searching can also be undertaken using the OPTICS= mainframe system. Figurative searching is undertaken via the IBIS system. = The statutory search undertaken covers UK national marks, designations to t= he UK made through the Madrid Protocol, OHIM marks and the search will incl= ude designations made to OHIM through the Madrid Protocol during 2005.
No external databases are used for trade mark search. Community trade ma= rk information is downloaded using the OHIM XML data which is then processe= d in a reception system. This data is then integrated into the search syste= ms OPTICS, MARKSMAN and IBIS.
The OPTICS, IBIS, TERN and TMAD systems produce statistics. The TERN sys= tem produces statistics which identify the number of and the results of the= examination process. Records are kept of the number of objections taken on= absolute and relative grounds.
UK Trade Mark staff access the search systems via their networked PCs. A= dvanced plans are in progress to migrate from Windows NT to Windows XP in 2= 005.
Applications may be made by post, in person, by fax and electronically t= hrough the PaTras system which allows customers to file directly by sending= us an xml file or by means of an automatically generated e-mail. A data ca= pture module has been added to the system that allows data to be added, vie= wed and customised as required by the applicant.
The UK national Trade Mark Journal is available via the Patent Office we= b site. There is no ongoing programme of mutual exchange of trade mark docu= mentation but documentaion is made available on request.
Patent Office trade mark staff attend events, seminars and exhibitions t= hroughout the United Kingdom. Our Marketing Section also undertake a wide r= ange of activities designed to highlight trade marks.
Training courses and seminars are undertaken by Patent Office staff on a=
wide range of topics including current trade mark examination practice and=
inter partes actions. Speakers are also offered to seminars arranged by ot=
her organisations covering topics such as e-business.
Office staff also lecture on trade mark law and practice at a number of UK=
Universities
Office experts have visted a number of countries to offer assistance and= visits have been made by staff from several countries.