News

10th Edition of Nice Classification

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.

Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

On September 16, 2011 US-President Barack Obama signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Revisions to US patent law have been under discussion for a long time, and have now finally been enacted. Many changes will only come into effect in 2012/2013, for example the "first-to-invent" system that has been applied by the USA will be replaced by the "first-to-file" system that is more common throughout the world.

PCT Fees - Establishment of new Equivalent Amounts

The International Bureau has amended the equivalent amounts in Euro, as from January 1, 2010 the following fees will be charged:

International filing fee: 132,00 €

Reductions (under the Schedule of Fees, item 4):

- Electronic filing (the request being in character coded format) 132,00 €
- Electronic filing (in character coded format) 198,00 €

Handling fee: 132,00 €

All other fees remain unchanged.