Versions Compared

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.

...

Designs are classified using the Locarno Classification system.  The classification is completed internally by the Designs examiners.  

...

The UK participates in EUIPO convergence projects on improving the quality of data in DesignsView.  We are also actively involved in EUIPO liaison meetings on designs.

...

Designs Practice Notices (DPNs) announces changes to our practice, such as how we interpret a provision of the law, or how we handle applications applications: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/designs-practice-notices.  they  They also liaise with Patent Examiners if the design is of a technical nature.

...

Our main office is in Newport, South Wales, where the public can file applications and discuss possible IP protection with an IPO Advisor.  In addition, we also have a front Office in London where customers can file applications.

...

The legal status is contained on the UK Register and may be searched by design number or owner’s namehttps://www.gov.uk/search-registered-design

...

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

Apply for Design

https://www.gov.uk/apply-register-design apply to register designs (max 50) with the IPO electronically.  In terms of improvement, some associated technology such as hangfire etc. may be due for review/replacement.

ICE

Internet Case Enquiry - https://www.gov.uk/search-registered-design

Find details of a UK design registered with the Intellectual Property Office.  This read-only application is the official register for the IPO.

                  

  Possible improvement - DB only refreshed once a day by batch processing.  Possible improvement would be to update data in real time.

DEPS

This application is for internal use only and allows examiners to process paper and electronic designs.  A technical backlog has been created to cover component upgrade strategy of application versions/java version etc.  Major code releases are shared with EUIPO in their central code repository.  Dynatrace is currently being used on DEPS to help identify performance bottlenecks and implement performance improvements.

DesignsView

DesignsView is maintained by EUIPO and is used to search for designs registered in the UK by the:

·         World Intellectual Property Organization

·         European Union Intellectual Property Office

UK data is fed into this system by FTP of zipped XML files created by nightly batch job.  A complete refresh of UK data has been planned in order to address some missing fields etc. that are impacting searches on Designs View.

Dave

The Business use DAVE (for e-filed applications only) for checking if any priority claims declared are exact copies of the filing submitted to the earlier country (or not) - if not, then they write to the customer for a copy; it also contains a copy of the images pre-conversion into DEPS for reference.  This application is for internal use only.

                                   

Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office

...

PATLIB UK is a network of 16 libraries around the UK that offer help and support on intellectual property as well as other business topics.  They are based in local libraries and therefore open to any member of public that wishes to attend.

One of the key offerings of the network is access to support in intellectual property searching.  All centres have a minimum requirement to supply assisted searches to businesses, which includes the UK designs, DesignsView.  Many take this further however by providing lessons to guide businesses on completing basic initial searches.

...

As the centres are located within local libraries, they make the most of free databases such as DesignsView and due to lack of funding do not pay for any additional databases or tools.  Our office, through the PATLIB UK Network and the British Library, takes part in numerous exchange programmes with other patent libraries around the world as in previous years.

...

Our main office is in Newport, South Wales, where the public can file applications and discuss possible IP protection with an IPO Advisor.  In addition, we also have a front Office in London where customers can file applications.

...

We continue to communicate IP awareness to young people from primary through to secondary school.  We have developed a range of curriculum-linked education resources to raise awareness of innovation, creativity and intellectual property in partnership with UK Music, Aardman Animations and the Industry Trust. 

...

DEPS release for processing of Hague IR designs.  This architecture uses IBM MQ/Middleware as per architecture below.

...

UK experts ran and IP and innovation workshop in Thailand and Indonesia.  This looked at business strategies on how to register rights.

...

The IPO provide reports to World Trade Organisation on TRIPS Agreement,   TRIPS responses details work done with other offices and relate to all areas of IP, reporting on activities around technology transfer and technical cooperation.

...