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Preliminary investigations: Patent searches to gather valuable information:
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Typ. 3 – 6 mths |
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- Key market players
- Technological trends
- State of the art (known solutions)
- Ideas for alternative solutions
- Identification of infringement risks
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Drafting a patent application
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- File the initial patent application (e.g., with a national patent office) ➞ the invention may only be disclosed to the public after this point
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Max. 12 mths |
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- Revise the patent application based on new findings from searches and further development of the invention
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- File subsequent applications in the patent family (national, regional, international) within one year, claiming the priority of the initial application
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Approx. 2 - 6 years |
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Coordinate representation in all proceedings before patent offices worldwide
- Monitoring deadlines
- Providing translations
- Paying official fees
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- Analysis and response to official search and examination reports for each intellectual property right in the patent family
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Max. 20 years |
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During the term of the patent:
- Protection and enforcement of rights
- Assistance with licensing
- Maintenance fees, as a rule annually
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End of term: Max. 20 years from the filing date
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- Trademark search (identical or similar trademarks), identifying conflicts
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Typ. < 1 mth |
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- Compiling a list of goods and services in accordance with the Nice Classification
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- Filing a national base trademark
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Max. 6 mths |
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- Responding to examination reports until the national trademark is registered
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- Filing an international trademark designating desired countries
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12 mth |
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Coordinating representation in all proceedings before trademark offices worldwide
- Monitoring deadlines
- Provision of translations
- Payment of official fees
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- Responding to examination reports
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unlimited |
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During the term of the trademark:
- Protection and enforcement of rights
- Providing evidence of use
- Support with licensing
- Renewable every 10 years
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Term: renewable indefinitely
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Typ. < 1 mth |
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- Preparation of application documents
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- International design application designating the desired countries (or, alternatively, national design application)
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Ca. 3–6 mths |
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Coordinating representation in all proceedings before the relevant offices worldwide
- Monitoring of deadlines
- Providing translations
- Payment of official fees
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- Responding to examination reports
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Max. 25 years |
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During the term of the design:
- Protection and enforcement of rights
- Assistance with licensing
- Generally renewable every 5 years
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End of term: maximum 25 years from the filing date
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