The Patent Office is now more online
The Patent Office is developing PORTOS, a case law platform, and e-services that facilitate the management of applications, registrations, and disputes, eliminating stacks of paper documents and multiple office visits. The transition to digital services stems from the obligation to digitize public administration in accordance with EU regulations. This digitization is supported by EU funds from the European Funds for Digital Development 2021-2027 program. This is a significant improvement for companies, researchers, and creators, and another step towards a modern, digital administration.
Patent for online
Applicants for trademarks, inventions, or designs often need to know what decisions the Patent Office has made in similar cases, allowing them to predict how their own application might be evaluated. Until now, such information was scattered – they had to search for it in various databases, publications, and documents, which was time-consuming. PORTOS gathers all this case law in one place, enabling quick searches for previous decisions, interpretations, and rulings. Furthermore, the system enables remote case management: document submission and tracking of proceedings. This allows users to better plan their industrial property protection strategy, assess the risk of opposition (i.e., whether someone might challenge their application), and better prepare materials for registration.
Benefits for users and the office
The changes cover three main areas. The first is application matters, i.e., filing applications for protection. The second is registration matters, encompassing the conduct of proceedings until a decision is issued and payment of fees. The third is contentious matters, where prompt notification of objections or applications, as well as efficient document exchange, are crucial. Digitization accelerates communication, streamlines document flow, and reduces formal errors. Users benefit from a shorter path from concept to registration – fewer visits, less paperwork, and easier monitoring of case status. Access to case law allows them to assess their chances of success in advance and select the appropriate arguments. For the Office, digitization means more carefully prepared applications, faster information flow, and more consistent adjudication.
Photo iana_kolesnikova – Adobe Stock
What features will be available online?
Firstly, the system will enable searching through judgments, allowing for quick access to similar cases. Secondly, electronic notifications of oppositions to trademark applications and dispute resolution applications will be available. Thirdly, it will be possible to expand the catalog of cases that can be initiated and handled remotely. The goal is to handle as many procedures as possible through a user panel with clear statuses and deadlines. In PORTOS, users will find a database of judgments with justifications and metadata to facilitate searches. Intuitive navigation will help filter results by type of right, subject of protection, or type of proceedings. It is important to emphasize that the system is not just an archive, but a work tool that will assist entrepreneurs, startups, universities, and patent attorneys in making decisions.
More information about the project can be found on the website of the Patent Office
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