Starting June 01, 2011 GPTO introduces on electronic file system for patent and utility model applications. With the newly introduced system any file related submissions and official communications will be handled electronically. As a next step online file inspection will be introduced possible in 2012.
The new IT-System will be implemented from February until end of May 2011. During this period serveral difficulties might occure and special due dates need to be observed.
1. Withdrawal to avoid publication
GPTO informs us, that for files to be published between June 01, 2011 and September 01, 2011, the time period for withdrawal to avoid publication will be prolongated from 8 weeks to 12 weeks prior to the offical publication date. Any notice of withdrawal should thus be submitted earlier.
2. Paper file inspection
From April 2011 to June 2011 not all parts of the file which are currently in paper format can be inspected by normal file inspection. Thus in urgent cases (e. g. pending opposition, nullity proceedings etc.) a request for (paper) file inspection should be submitted until early April 2011 by the latest!
Please note, that the implementation of electronic file system has no impact on the search activities and procedures of GPTO. If Search or Examination is requested together with or shortly after filing an application with GPTO, the search / examination report will be issued approximatly within 8 months from filing, e. g. before expiry of the priority period.
We hope that German Patent and Trademark Office will successfully finish implementation until June 2011 and will thus make inspection and case handling as comfortable as it is currently experienced with Epoline - online file inspection at EPO or Public Pair at USPTO. |
