Trademarks are used to distinguish goods and services of companies. The classification of goods and services is defined by the International treaty known as "Nice Classification" or "International Classification of Goods and Services". Every five years the Nice Classification is revised.
ElSA – Implementation of the electronic case file system for patent and utility models
On June 1, 2011 the German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO) will introduce electronic case files for patent and utility models (ElSA/Pat GmbH). The aims of the new IT system and electronic case files are to accelerate processing of the applications and make things easier for applicants. Applicants will profit from this electronic case file system in the middle term by having the possibility to inspect files online with the GPTO.