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.

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.

10. Ausgabe der Nizzaer Klassifikation

Marken dienen dazu, Waren und Dienstleistungen von Unternehmen zu unterscheiden. Die Einteilung der Waren und Dienstleistungen ist über ein internationales Abkommen, das sogenannte "Nizzaer Markenabkommen" oder "Internationale Markenklassifikation von Waren und Dienstleistungen für die Eintragung von Marken" festgelegt. In einem 5-Jahres-Rhythmus wird diese Internationale Klassifikation überarbeitet.

Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

US-Präsident Barack Obama hat den Leahy-Smith America Invents Act am 16. September 2011 unterzeichnet. Damit wird nun die seit langem diskutierte Änderung des US-Patentrechts umgesetzt. Viele Änderungen werden erst 2012/2013 in Kraft treten, etwa wird das auch bisher vor allem in den USA angewandte "first-to-invent" Prinzip durch das weltweit dominierende "first-to-file" Prinzip ersetzt werden.

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.

New EPO Jurisdiction re Second Medical Use Claims

The Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) of the European Patent Office EPO recently decided (G 2/08) on the conditions under which substances and compositions known as such are patentable if claimed for use in a novel and inventive medical treatment.

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.

ElSA - die Einführung der Elektronischen Schutzrechtsakte beim DPMA

Die ab dem 1. Juni 2011 geplante Einführung der elektronischen Schutzrechtsakte (ElSA) beim Deutschen Patent- und Markenamt (DPMA) läuft auf Hochtouren und steht kurz vor dem Abschluss. Die Akten für Patente und Gebrauchsmuster sollen vollständig elektronisch geführt werden, von der Anmeldung bis zur Erteilung.

Praxisänderung des DPMA bei der Ausstellung von Prioritätsbelegen

Gemäß Mitteilung der Präsidentin des Deutschen Patent- und Markenamtes (DPMA) vom 28. April 2011 werden ab 1. Juni 2011 bei Antrag auf Ausstellung einer beglaubigten Abschrift der Voranmeldung die derzeit zusätzlich erhobenen Auslagen für die Anfertigung von Kopien entfallen.

Issuance of Priority Documents - GPTO abolishes copy charges

Pursuant to the Notification of the President of the German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO) dated April 28, 2011, starting from June 1, 2011 the copy charge per page currently collected when a copy of the priority document is requested will be abolished.

Revision of Trademark Guidelines in Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property has revised its Trademark Guidelines as per January 1, 2011 due to the recent jurisdiction. In particular, the discontinuation of the signature requirement as well as the introduction of a legally binding e-filing have been taken into consideration. The revised guidelines apply for all pending applications.