Annual Technical Report 2005 on Industrial Design Information Activities submitted by Cyprus (SCIT/ATR/ID/2005/CY)

Where URLs are requested below, it is preferred that either URLs which are 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 access the corresponding information.

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

2004
Design applications filed: 25
Registrations: 25

2005
Design applications filed: 45
Registrations: 45

Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year

Community designs do not seem to affect the National Applications, since a signifigant increase in applications has been experienced compared to 2004, as they have almost doubled in number. It is not indicative though of a possible increasing trend since applications of the years to come should be monitored and compared first.

II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, and distribution of industrial design documents and of secondary sources of industrial design information, i.e., official gazettes

Publishing, including printing, copying techniques and electronic printing

Designs are published in the weekly Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus, produced in paper and electronic form; contains design illustrations, bibliographic details, as well as the proprietor, agent and Locarno class.

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 Locarno Classification, 7th edition.

IV. Search file establishment and upkeep

File building

The registration process followed by the Cyprus Office does not include a novelty search, but examiners are able to raise objections against any application if their knowledge is such that they are aware the design is not new.

Storage, including mass storage media

Paper files are kept until and after registration, containing all relevant information.

Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file

No documentation from other offices is maintained or considered as part of the available research file. Examiners have access to the Internet for reference purposes when and if required.

V. Activities in the field of computerized search systems for industrial designs

In-house systems (online/offline)

Searches are undertaken manually for the time being.

VI. Administration of industrial design 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)

The Cyprus Office web site provides all currently used forms in pdf format, along with guidance on completion.

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of industrial design documentation and information

There is no formal exchange of documentation to any other national office.

VIII. Matters concerning education and training including technical assistance to developing countries

IX. Other relevant matters