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.
2006:
Design applications filed - 3086
Design applications registered - 2855
2007:
Design applications filed - 4683
Design applications registered - 4296
The number of designs filed has increased by 51% since 2006. This is likely to be an effect of the designs modernisation whereby applicants can file both single and multiple designs.
The increase in those filed is mirrored in the number registered which also increased by 50.1%.
www.ipo.gov.uk
Designs which have been registered, notices, renewals, and changes to the register are all published in the weekly electronic designs journal which is available on our website.
We offer a range of search options on our website, including Proprietor, Agent, image and Locarno class.
Office notices are published in the weekly journal. Notices are also published on the Office's website.
Design information is stored on the ACCORD database where bibliographic details are held. Designs images are maintained on the internal Designs Registry Image Management System (DRIMS) which is used for searching within the office.
www.ipo.gov.uk
Designs applications are currently classified according to Locarno Classification system.
Although no formal search is carried out as part of the examination process, a commercial search is available. An internet search allows you to search by Locarno Class, proprietor or a combination of the two.
Although no formal search is carried out as part of the examination process, a commercial search is available. An internet search allows you to search by Locarno Class, proprietor or a combination of the two.
A paper file is kept for each design application. Information is stored on our internal databases and within the file.
When changes occur, the ACORD mainframe and DRIMS image system are updated when necessary. Any notices, renewals, and changes to the register are reported in the weekly electronic designs journal available on our website.
Design files are stored in the Designs Team area until registration.
After registration they are transported to our designated filestore facility.
No documentation from other offices is maintained or considered as part of the search files.
Searches are undertaken in numerous ways. Bibliographic details are held on the ACORD system which runs on an ICL mainframe. Designs images and assiciated bobliographic details are maintained on the internal Designs Registry Image Management System (DRIMS) which is used for searching within the office. A public web0based service is offered via the DRIMS web system. Public search is also available from the British Library and IP Centre sited in London. Both DRIMS and DRIMSweb are based on standard Documentum architecture.
No external databases are searched.
All UK Designs Registry staff are equipped with networked Pentium 4 PCs. Standard automation products available to all staff include Microsoft Office products such as Word and Excel. Novell GroupWise 6.5 is currently used for email although the Office will be upgrading to Microsoft Outlook during 2008.
Applications for design registration can be made by post or in person at our Newport South Wales or London offices.
Bibliographic details of applications are captured onto the ACORD system with designs images scanned on to the DRIMS system.
Our website provides a wide range of information including the benefits or design registration. We are currently redesigning our office's website which will be launched in the Autumn of 2008. This redesign should make the information available more accessible to its users.
All forms are available online and via our Central Enquiry Unit, as are all printed materials relating to design applications.
All designs can be views online using our online search facility.
In 2007, we launched a designs Search & Advisory service where customers can obtain advice about their proposed design application. General advice is also available from our Central Enquiry Unit with more specialised advice being given available from the designs area.
E-filing for design applications is not available
www.ipo.gov.uk
www.ipo.gov.uk
There is no formal exchange of documentation or information but this is made freely available to other intellectual property offices.
We do not exchange machine readable information.
Representatives from the office attended seminars, conferences and exhibitions throughout the year offering advice and guidance in relation to industrial designs.
www.ipo.gov.uk
www.ipo.gov.uk