Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mr. Alondkorn Ponlaboot, on September 24, 2009 deposited his country’s instrument of accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) with WIPO Director General Francis Gurry. Thailand is the 142nd contracting state of this multilateral pact that facilitates the filing of patents in multiple countries. The treaty will enter into force for Thailand on December 24, 2009.
The accession by Thailand means that in any international application filed on or after December 24, 2009, Thailand (country code: TH) will automatically be designated, and as it will be bound by Chapter II of the Treaty, will automatically be elected in any demand for international preliminary examination filed in respect of an international application filed on or after December 24, 2009. Also, as of that date, nationals and residents of Thailand will themselves be able to file PCT applications.
In a meeting with Mr. Ponlaboot, Mr. Gurry welcomed Thailand’s accession to the PCT which he said was “an extremely important step” that helps make the treaty a “more global and attractive system.”
Patents, trademarks and copyright are integral parts of intellectual property that form intangible assets in our daily life. IP matters from Malaysia and the world are shared here.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
China accounted for 43.1% of worldwide ID applications
At 15.3%, the growth rate of industrial design applications (some 621,000) in 2007 outpaced growth rates recorded for other IP rights. Since 2005, industrial design applications worldwide have experienced double-digit growth thanks largely to increased activity in China which accounted for 43.1% of worldwide applications.
In 2007, the share of total industrial design registrations by non-residents amounted to just 19.8%, which is below the equivalent shares for patents and trademarks. Industrial design protection is sought less frequently in foreign markets, because the products in question are geared mainly toward domestic commercialization.
Of the 2.7 million industrial design rights in force in 2007, residents of France accounted for the largest number (406,225). More than 250,000 such rights were also in force in China, Germany and Japan, respectively. -WIPO
In 2007, the share of total industrial design registrations by non-residents amounted to just 19.8%, which is below the equivalent shares for patents and trademarks. Industrial design protection is sought less frequently in foreign markets, because the products in question are geared mainly toward domestic commercialization.
Of the 2.7 million industrial design rights in force in 2007, residents of France accounted for the largest number (406,225). More than 250,000 such rights were also in force in China, Germany and Japan, respectively. -WIPO
China received over one-fifth of all trademark applications filed in 2007
In 2007, some 3.3 million trademark applications were filed worldwide reflecting a 1.6% increase over 2006. Preliminary data available for 2008, however, point to a possible decrease in trademark applications.
China received over one-fifth of all trademark applications filed in 2007 and the USA received nearly one-tenth of such applications, followed by Japan and the ROKorea.
Global trademark registrations rose in 2007 to approximately 2.2 million, representing a 6% growth rate. Increased registration activity in Brazil is largely responsible for the stronger growth in 2007 compared to the previous year.
Residents of China and the USA each accounted for around 11% of global trademark registrations in 2007. However, only a small proportion of trademarks registered by residents of China are protected in other jurisdictions, whereas about 43% of trademarks registered by US residents are protected abroad. Non-resident applicants accounted for some 35% of trademarks registered worldwide.
In 2007, around 16.4 million trademarks were in force worldwide with Japan and the USA together accounting for around one-fifth of these, followed by France and Germany, each having around 1 million trademarks in force. Approximately 125,000 of the trademarks in force in 2007 were first registered prior to 1960, reflecting their sustained commercial value. -WIPO
China received over one-fifth of all trademark applications filed in 2007 and the USA received nearly one-tenth of such applications, followed by Japan and the ROKorea.
Global trademark registrations rose in 2007 to approximately 2.2 million, representing a 6% growth rate. Increased registration activity in Brazil is largely responsible for the stronger growth in 2007 compared to the previous year.
Residents of China and the USA each accounted for around 11% of global trademark registrations in 2007. However, only a small proportion of trademarks registered by residents of China are protected in other jurisdictions, whereas about 43% of trademarks registered by US residents are protected abroad. Non-resident applicants accounted for some 35% of trademarks registered worldwide.
In 2007, around 16.4 million trademarks were in force worldwide with Japan and the USA together accounting for around one-fifth of these, followed by France and Germany, each having around 1 million trademarks in force. Approximately 125,000 of the trademarks in force in 2007 were first registered prior to 1960, reflecting their sustained commercial value. -WIPO
China replaced the EPO as the fourth largest office in terms of issuing patent grants
The USPTO, which has issued the highest number of patents since 1998, was overtaken in 2007 by the patent office of Japan. The patent office of China replaced the EPO as the fourth largest office in terms of issuing grants. The five largest patent offices (the patent offices of Japan, the USA, the Republic of Korea, China and the EPO) accounted for 74.4% of total patent grants.
Some 6.3 million patents were in force in 2007, with residents of Japan and the USA owning approximately 47% of this total.
In 2007, at least 4.2 million patent applications were pending around the world. The USPTO accounted for around 28% of this backlog, followed by Japan, the EPO and the ROK.
In 2008, approximately 163,600 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications were filed, representing a 2.3% increase on 2007 figures. Applicants from the USA accounted for around 32.7% of all PCT filings. The PCT is an international treaty administered by WIPO, which makes it possible to file patent applications in a large number of countries by filing a single PCT application. Growth rates for PCT applications have decreased since 2005.
Utility models are an important alternative to patents in certain jurisdictions, typically entailing a less stringent inventive-step requirement. China received and granted the majority of utility model applications in 2007. Germany, Japan, the ROK and the Russian Federation also had a notable level of utility model activity. -WIPO
Some 6.3 million patents were in force in 2007, with residents of Japan and the USA owning approximately 47% of this total.
In 2007, at least 4.2 million patent applications were pending around the world. The USPTO accounted for around 28% of this backlog, followed by Japan, the EPO and the ROK.
In 2008, approximately 163,600 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications were filed, representing a 2.3% increase on 2007 figures. Applicants from the USA accounted for around 32.7% of all PCT filings. The PCT is an international treaty administered by WIPO, which makes it possible to file patent applications in a large number of countries by filing a single PCT application. Growth rates for PCT applications have decreased since 2005.
Utility models are an important alternative to patents in certain jurisdictions, typically entailing a less stringent inventive-step requirement. China received and granted the majority of utility model applications in 2007. Germany, Japan, the ROK and the Russian Federation also had a notable level of utility model activity. -WIPO
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Should 'Penang' be exclusively limited to the State Government?
The Star reported that the Penang state government has laid claim to the word 'Penang'. It is reported that Chief Minister Lim wants to avoid confusion that events carrying the Penang prefix is organized by the state government. The state wants every event which carries the 'Penang' prefix to be registered with the state government.
Private entities use the prefix Penang to indicate that it has a Penang origin. Events using the prefix Penang indicates that the event is being held in Penang. These are measures which indirectly boost 'Penang' as a brand.
Requiring the permission to use the prefix 'Penang' will limit the exposure and success of Penang brand.
Instead, the state should educate the public the use of the term 'Penang state government' and Penang state emblem to state supported events. Those who are found to abuse the term 'Penang state government' and Penang state emblem can be prosecuted by the state.
Private entities use the prefix Penang to indicate that it has a Penang origin. Events using the prefix Penang indicates that the event is being held in Penang. These are measures which indirectly boost 'Penang' as a brand.
Requiring the permission to use the prefix 'Penang' will limit the exposure and success of Penang brand.
Instead, the state should educate the public the use of the term 'Penang state government' and Penang state emblem to state supported events. Those who are found to abuse the term 'Penang state government' and Penang state emblem can be prosecuted by the state.
Automakers try to energize electric-car business
The race is on among the world's auto companies to make electric cars go farther on a single charge, bring the price down to compete with gas-powered vehicles, and give drivers more places to recharge them than just the family garage.
Electric is the big buzz at the 63rd Frankfurt Auto Show this week, and nearly every major automaker has at least one on display. Renault introduced no fewer than four electric models, while Tesla, the only company producing and selling purely electric cars, handed over the keys to its 700th all-electric vehicle, a blue Roadster Sport, to a German buyer at the show.
If the models unveiled Tuesday are any indication, the notion of electric cars as small, stunted boxes with little range is about to be junked.
"People have realized that ... electric vehicles don't have to be golf carts," said Diarmuid O'Connell, vice president of business development for Tesla Motors Inc. "They don't have to be anemic little putt-putts."
The company's sleek, two-seat Roadster - which in the U.S. sells for $101,500 (euro69,500) - has a range of 244 miles (393 kilometers) on one charge. Its planned Model S, which will seat seven and has a 300-mile (483-kilometer) range, will go for $49,900.
Others automakers, including BMW, General Motors and Daimler, are also developing electric-powered vehicles, including hybrid cars that boast a small gas or diesel engine backed up with an electrical motor, and say the prices will drop as bulky batteries become smaller, faster to charge and easier to replace.
Daimler said it will put its first electricity generating fuel-cell car on the road by the end of this year, the B-Class F-Cell. It will also develop a high-performance electric sports car, its Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Volkswagen AG will put its new E-Up! electric compact into production in 2013. VW did not disclose how much it will cost or when it might be available in the U.S. It said the battery will give drivers a range of around 80 miles, or about 130 kilometers.
Analysts expect global production of purely electric cars to expand rapidly in the coming years. IHS Global Insight forecast that it will grow from nearly 9,500 this year to more than 58,000 in 2011.
Electric cars generally run between 40 and 120 miles (60 to 200 kilometers) on a single charge, while taking anywhere from two to seven hours to fully recharge.
Analysts have long contended that a roadblock to the deployment of electric cars has been the lack infrastructure to ensure they can be charged, whether at home, at the office or at stations in the city or along a highway. Building that infrastructure could cost billions and billions of dollars.
Europe is likely to get charging networks faster than the U.S. because of its higher gasoline prices, greater population density and compact size compared with the United States.
In the U.S., Japan's Nissan Motor Co. has taken the lead, forming partnerships to bring electric vehicles and charging stations to Seattle, Tennessee, Oregon and elsewhere. For example, Arizona's Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. recently struck a $100 million deal to build charging stations for Nissan's planned Leaf electric car.
Elsewhere around the world, Renault Nissan has teamed up with Palo Alto, Calif.-based Better Place, which is building a network of charging stations and stands in Israel and Denmark and plans to do the same in Australia. Drivers will be able to plug their cars in or swap out their depleted batteries for freshly charged ones.
Better Place said the networks could operate like cell phone service, with customers buying a certain number of miles in advance or getting an unlimited amount for a set fee with a contract.
To help bring Germany up to speed, its government plans to spend some euro500 million ($730 million) on a plan that aims to put 1 million electric cars on the road by 2020. The figure includes euro170 million for battery research.
Analysts say it will take at least a decade to see if electric cars can keep pace with, or surpass, gas-powered automobiles. The massive, sensitive, costly and fast-depleting batteries that take the place of internal combustion engines are expensive to produce, as well.
"The industry needs to continue to overcome the obstacles of extended range, price and impact on the grid if we're going to be able to deliver a better experience than what consumers currently get," said Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place. -StarBiz
Electric is the big buzz at the 63rd Frankfurt Auto Show this week, and nearly every major automaker has at least one on display. Renault introduced no fewer than four electric models, while Tesla, the only company producing and selling purely electric cars, handed over the keys to its 700th all-electric vehicle, a blue Roadster Sport, to a German buyer at the show.
If the models unveiled Tuesday are any indication, the notion of electric cars as small, stunted boxes with little range is about to be junked.
"People have realized that ... electric vehicles don't have to be golf carts," said Diarmuid O'Connell, vice president of business development for Tesla Motors Inc. "They don't have to be anemic little putt-putts."
The company's sleek, two-seat Roadster - which in the U.S. sells for $101,500 (euro69,500) - has a range of 244 miles (393 kilometers) on one charge. Its planned Model S, which will seat seven and has a 300-mile (483-kilometer) range, will go for $49,900.
Others automakers, including BMW, General Motors and Daimler, are also developing electric-powered vehicles, including hybrid cars that boast a small gas or diesel engine backed up with an electrical motor, and say the prices will drop as bulky batteries become smaller, faster to charge and easier to replace.
Daimler said it will put its first electricity generating fuel-cell car on the road by the end of this year, the B-Class F-Cell. It will also develop a high-performance electric sports car, its Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Volkswagen AG will put its new E-Up! electric compact into production in 2013. VW did not disclose how much it will cost or when it might be available in the U.S. It said the battery will give drivers a range of around 80 miles, or about 130 kilometers.
Analysts expect global production of purely electric cars to expand rapidly in the coming years. IHS Global Insight forecast that it will grow from nearly 9,500 this year to more than 58,000 in 2011.
Electric cars generally run between 40 and 120 miles (60 to 200 kilometers) on a single charge, while taking anywhere from two to seven hours to fully recharge.
Analysts have long contended that a roadblock to the deployment of electric cars has been the lack infrastructure to ensure they can be charged, whether at home, at the office or at stations in the city or along a highway. Building that infrastructure could cost billions and billions of dollars.
Europe is likely to get charging networks faster than the U.S. because of its higher gasoline prices, greater population density and compact size compared with the United States.
In the U.S., Japan's Nissan Motor Co. has taken the lead, forming partnerships to bring electric vehicles and charging stations to Seattle, Tennessee, Oregon and elsewhere. For example, Arizona's Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. recently struck a $100 million deal to build charging stations for Nissan's planned Leaf electric car.
Elsewhere around the world, Renault Nissan has teamed up with Palo Alto, Calif.-based Better Place, which is building a network of charging stations and stands in Israel and Denmark and plans to do the same in Australia. Drivers will be able to plug their cars in or swap out their depleted batteries for freshly charged ones.
Better Place said the networks could operate like cell phone service, with customers buying a certain number of miles in advance or getting an unlimited amount for a set fee with a contract.
To help bring Germany up to speed, its government plans to spend some euro500 million ($730 million) on a plan that aims to put 1 million electric cars on the road by 2020. The figure includes euro170 million for battery research.
Analysts say it will take at least a decade to see if electric cars can keep pace with, or surpass, gas-powered automobiles. The massive, sensitive, costly and fast-depleting batteries that take the place of internal combustion engines are expensive to produce, as well.
"The industry needs to continue to overcome the obstacles of extended range, price and impact on the grid if we're going to be able to deliver a better experience than what consumers currently get," said Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place. -StarBiz
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
High Level of PCT Fees
Respondents of PCT survey, complained of the high level of fees charged to small and medium enterprise. Some of the respondents prefer a differentiated fee structure, similar to small-entity fee advocated by USPTO.
Currently, individual inventors of third world country, such as Malaysia enjoy a 90% fee reduction for PCT filling fee. Americans and Europeans which participated in the survey did not enjoy the fee reduction. The respondents wished that small and medium enterprise can enjoy some form of fee reductions.
The most frequent complain identified in the survey highlights the timeliness delivery of search and examination report. Some comments called for fee refunds when reports are sent late.
The respondents would also like to see more reliance and acceptance of PCT search report and examination results by more national Offices.
The survey was conducted online by WIPO. The report can be accessed here.
Currently, individual inventors of third world country, such as Malaysia enjoy a 90% fee reduction for PCT filling fee. Americans and Europeans which participated in the survey did not enjoy the fee reduction. The respondents wished that small and medium enterprise can enjoy some form of fee reductions.
The most frequent complain identified in the survey highlights the timeliness delivery of search and examination report. Some comments called for fee refunds when reports are sent late.
The respondents would also like to see more reliance and acceptance of PCT search report and examination results by more national Offices.
The survey was conducted online by WIPO. The report can be accessed here.
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