Digital Transformation of IP Infrastructure: Tools for Improving the Quality of Services of the Patent Office of the Republic of Belarus
On December 5-6, 2024, Astana hosts the XII International Forum В«Anti-Counterfeiting-2024В» dedicated to the issues of combating illicit trafficking of industrial products, including the protection of rights in the field of intellectual property.
Maria Shmatova, Head of the Industrial Property Law and Treaties Division of the Legal and Human Resources Department, presented an online report on behalf of the National Center of Intellectual Property (the NCIP) at the forum.
In her speech, M. Shmatova reviewed a number of key initiatives to digitalize the services of the patent office, including the introduction of the Internet portal for electronic filing of applications for industrial property, which was launched on October 1, 2022. Thanks to this tool, applicants can remotely interact with the patent office, which significantly simplifies the filing process: В«We strive to minimize the costs and efforts of applicants in obtaining services. In 2023, the percentage of electronic applications for trademarks reached 50.8%,В» emphasized the Head of the Industrial Property Law and Treaties Division of the Legal and Human Resources Department.
The NCIP continues to improve the application process. From January 1, 2024 applicants may submit as additional materials to applications for patents of the Republic of Belarus for invention, utility model or industrial design graphic materials or images in 3D-model format.
The report also touched upon improvements in the presentation of patent information: this year, the NCIP has made a transition to ongoing publication of all official bulletins, which ensures prompt access to up-to-date information.
In addition, there are further steps envisaged for the digitalization of administrative procedures (AP): of the 47 procedures to be transferred to electronic form, 34 have been transferred in 2024 and are available on the unified portal of electronic services (UPES) and through the mobile application В«E-paslugaВ».
В«All patent information services and services for depositing objects of copyright and related rights are available in a remote format. It is enough to have an e-mail and any banking application for payment through the Unified Payment and Information Space (UPIS) system,В» M. Shmatova added.
The speaker also outlined plans for further digital transformation of the Belarusian Patent Office in 2025, which focus on digitalization of the sphere of collective rights management: В«We intend to create a platform of personal offices for authors and users, which will simplify interaction and allow to manage rights and remuneration electronicallyВ».
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Photo: Nina Dubovik
