Enforcement Best Practices
CZECH REPUBLIC
Summary:
- Industrial Property Rights Helpdesk (Informacni stredisko)
- Industrial Property Training Institute (Institut prumyslove pravni vychovy)
- Regional Patent Information Centres (=PATLIBs) (Regionalni centra patentovych informaci)
- Patent, Trademark and Design Searches (Patentove, znamkove a vzorove reserse)
- Cooperation with Universities and other relevant subjects (Spoluprace s univerzitami a nekterymi dalsimi institucemi)
- Support to the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (Podpora prosazovani prav z dusevniho vlastnictvi)
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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Basic information about the IPR system of the Czech Republic, the EPC, PCT, CTM and RCD systems is provided. Information is provided mostly by e-mail or by phone. In some cases clients are informed about possible counterfeiting risks. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
January 2003 |
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2.2 End date |
Ongoing |
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2.3 Budget |
€ 18,000 p.a. |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify): |
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2.5 Type of IPR |
All IPR Industrial Property Inventions : Patents Utility Models Plant Varieties Topographies of Semiconductor Products Distinctive Signs : Trade Marks Trade Names Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin Aesthetic Creations: Designs (industrial design) Intellectual Property Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations : Copyright Neighbouring Rights Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc. Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other: Not specified |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1 = very unsatisfactory, 5 = very successful) The number of queries is going up, as well as the level of complexity of questions to be answered by patent/trademark professionals and attorneys. During the last year 3,684 queries were made both via telephone and personally, more than 1,000 if which were submitted and answered via the Helpdesk Internet service. As for the subjects of inquiries, 30% concerned trademarks, 20% patents, 10% industrial designs. Other inquiries concerned industrial rights and copyrights (e.g. protection of software, business methods). About 5% of inquiries came from abroad. The Information Centre receives about 20 inquiries per day. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
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4.2 Web Site |
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4.3 Contacts
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Miroslav Paclik Director of Patent Information Department Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic tel: +420 220 383 519 e-mail: mpaclik@upv.cz |
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4.4 Information Source |
Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources” |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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The Industrial Property Training Institute was established as an educational institution by a decree of the former Ministry of Education and Culture on January 31, 1963 and more than 3,000 students have completed the two-year comprehensive IPR curriculum since then (44 new students started in 2009 and 2010). Basically, the Institute offers two years specialization study. This is a distance-learning course in the form of a two days workshop once a month, focusing on the innovation business and IPR protection. The courses include the subjects like basic rights, systems of legal protection of intellectual property, patent law, legal protection of design, rights to designations, patent information and searches, proceedings concerning applications, international agreements, industrial legal strategies, enforcement of industrial property rights. It is aimed at people with secondary education, university graduates and new employees of the Office. The two-semester course on Enforcement of IPR is offered by the Institute and lectures are delivered by a judge, a lawyer and experts from the Office. Various workshops and specialized courses are organised including lectures about the latest news in IP and in the Industrial Property Office in a short form. They respond also to the demands of professional users. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
1963 |
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2.2 End date |
Ongoing |
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2.3 Budget |
€ 34,000 p.a. |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training : 2-year IPR specialisation study incl. distance-learning course and monthly workshops International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify): |
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2.5 Type of IPR |
All IPR Industrial Property Inventions : Patents Utility Models Plant Varieties Topographies of Semiconductor Products Distinctive Signs : Trade Marks Trade Names Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin Aesthetic Creations: Designs (industrial design) Intellectual Property Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations : Copyright Neighbouring Rights Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc. Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful) One of the essential tasks of the Institute is increasing the awareness and knowledge of professional public. It supports the importance of protection of creative activities, explaining the legal framework and business and social effects and impacts. In 2009 the education activities focused on professional associations, employees of the Office and professional public. There were workshops for the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority and for the Aeronautical Research and Test Institute. In cooperation with the Association of Innovative Entrepreneurship the Institute prepared a workshop for experts etc. In addition, in 2009 the Office organized two blocks of workshops for SMEs in cooperation with IPR China Helpdesk with the IPeuropAware Project. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
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4.2 Web Site |
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4.3 Contacts
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Miroslav Paclik Director of Patent Information Department Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic tel: +420 220 383 519 e-mail: mpaclik@upv.cz |
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4.4 Information Source |
Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources” |
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Title of initiative |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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PATLIB is a network of information centres focused on problems connected with industrial property information. They are supported by national patent offices of the member states of the European Patent Organisation. There are nine PATLIB centres in the Czech Republic. The main centre is located in Prague as a part of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic and the other seven centres are located on all the territory of the Czech Republic. The Industrial Property Office is one of the Czech regional centres of patent information. The Office provides information services as lending of patent documents, many kinds of patent and trademark searches, copying services or monitoring of the state of the art in selected fields. A significant part of information is published via Internet. Databases of national published patent applications, granted patents and registered utility models accompanied by the trademark and industrial design databases are of a good searching comfort, regular update and accessible free of charge. The Office makes accessible the collection of foreign and national patent literature. At present time there are about 30 millions of patent documents from 26 countries available, including documents issued on the basis of the European Patent Convention and Patent Cooperation Treaty. In the public reading room there are available all PCT minimum patent documents in paper form issued before the end of 2009. The range of CD and DVD ROM collection is also significant. There is possibility of on-line access to commercial database centres and databases thereof (e.g. STN, Dialog, Questel). It is mainly Scientific and Technical libraries that fulfil the function of PATLIB centres in the regions. The main function of the regional centres is to make accessible the information on industrial property titles to local users. The Office supports the regional centres, provides information sources, information materials and organizes specialized seminars. In order to improve their technical infrastructure each of the centres was equipped with modern PC workstations. The European Patent Office supports all the PATLIB centres as well. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the EPO |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
1993 |
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2.2 End date |
Ongoing |
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2.3 Budget |
- |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify): |
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2.5 Type of IPR |
All IPR Industrial Property Inventions : Patents Utility Models Plant Varieties Topographies of Semiconductor Products Distinctive Signs : Trade Marks Trade Names Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin Aesthetic Creations: Designs (industrial design) Intellectual Property Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations : Copyright Neighbouring Rights Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc. Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): Not specified |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1= very unsatisfactory, 5 = very successful) Continuous raising of IP Rights system awareness results in higher demand of patent information, patent and trademark searches in particular, more and more domestic applicants ask for international IP Rights protection in spite of the fact that the total number of applications per capita is still very low in comparison with such countries as Germany, France, Denmark, etc. The main aim of the PATLIB centres is to improve the awareness concerning industrial property rights to the general public and professionals, especially by means of providing valuable patent information services in regions. It means that the persons interested in this kind of information are not dependent only on Prague’s central office but they can obtain required information in centres, which are closer to their homes. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
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4.2 Web Site |
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4.3 Contacts
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Miroslav Paclik Director of Patent Information Department Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic tel: +420 220 383 519 e-mail: mpaclik@upv.cz |
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4.4 Information Source |
Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources” |
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Title of initiative |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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Providing searches on demand, in particular state of the art, novelty, legal status, trade mark and design searches. Searched information can help companies to: § Avoid unnecessary expenditure related to development of something already known, or even on the market § Identify new rivals and competitors, new business partners, discover new markets § Keep up with the technological trends § Find alternative technologies, new materials, new suppliers, new partners for licensing, etc. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
January 1993 |
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2.2 End date |
Ongoing |
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2.3 Budget |
€ 40,000 p.a. |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision Tailor-made searches Dedicated Services: Professional Advice Training International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify): |
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2.5 Type of IPR |
All IPR Industrial Property Inventions : Patents Utility Models Plant Varieties Topographies of Semiconductor Products Distinctive Signs : Trade Marks Trade Names Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin Aesthetic Creations: Designs (industrial design) Intellectual Property Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations : Copyright Neighbouring Rights Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc. Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1 = very unsatisfactory, 5 = very successful) There is a trend of mild decrease of the number of search requests caused by opening the databases of national patent documents on the Internet. On the other hand, demand for professional quality search substantially increases. There are more requests for thematic search, which, to some extent, serve as verification of patent non-infringement. Also search that follows the situation within certain specialization according the International Patent Classification, monitoring of patent activities of specific companies is often required. There is also substantial increase of the number of patent search requests demanded by bankruptcy trustees, notaries, customs administration, policy and courts. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
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4.2 Web Site |
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4.3 Contacts
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Miroslav Paclik Director of Patent Information Department Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic tel: +420 220 383 519 e-mail: mpaclik@upv.cz |
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4.4 Information Source |
Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources” |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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The Industrial Property Office organizes workshops and lectures for employees and clients of professional associations, employees and students of universities on industrial property issues. Numerous seminars at universities are arranged, excursions of the university students to the Office premises are regularly organised. During excursions students are explained why it is useful to protect industrial property, what the basic principles of the protection are, where to find important information, how to use the classification systems, etc. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
January 2003 |
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2.2 End date |
ongoing |
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2.3 Budget |
€ 4,000 (p.a.) |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training: IPR training for employees of professional associations and their clients, universities and students International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify): |
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2.5 Type of IPR |
All IPR Industrial Property Inventions : Patents Utility Models Plant Varieties Topographies of Semiconductor Products Distinctive Signs : Trade Marks Trade Names Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin Aesthetic Creations: Designs (industrial design) Intellectual Property Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations : Copyright Neighbouring Rights Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc. Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): N/A |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1 = very unsatisfactory, 5 = very successful) The interest of university professors and students in excursions to the Office and in IP Rights oriented lectures is higher and higher from one year to another. The professional level of questions asked is going notably up. Each year the Office welcomes students from the Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, the Institute of Information Studies and Librarianship of the Charles University and students from the faculties of the Czech Technical University in Prague. The Office started cooperation with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague on TRIPOD project, which is focused on supporting knowledge (of entrepreneurship, innovativeness and protection of industrial property rights issues) of attendants and employees of the Czech Technical University in Prague. At the University of South Bohemia and The Faculty of Science of the Charles University the Office presented, in the form of a course or lectures, the system of protection of intellectual property on the national and international level. University students have the opportunity to elaborate their final thesis in the Office. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
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4.2 Web Site |
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4.3 Contacts
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Miroslav Paclik Director of Patent Information Department Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic tel: +420 220 383 519 e-mail: mpaclik@upv.cz |
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4.4 Information Source |
Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources” |
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Title of initiative |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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The aim of this project is: § updating and upgrading of the existing information system available on www.dusevnivlastnictvi.cz § elaboration of a new methodology of enforcement of intellectual property rights in the Czech Republic and a methodology of co-operation among institutions that deal with enforcement of intellectual property rights § creation of training materials and 4 days training of more than 1000 employees of these institutions |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
2005 |
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2.2 End date |
2008 |
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2.3 Budget |
Total budget: € 940,000 |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision: Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training: Developing 4-day training course + training materials International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify): |
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2.5 Type of IPR |
All IPR Industrial Property Inventions : Patents Utility Models Plant Varieties Topographies of Semiconductor Products Distinctive Signs : Trade Marks Trade Names Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin Aesthetic Creations: Designs (industrial design) Intellectual Property Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations : Copyright Neighbouring Rights Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc. Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: The project reacted to the increasing number of cases of breach of copyrights, patent, trademark and trade name rights, and protected indication of origin rights. The project objective is to ensure the exchange of information between the state administration authorities, which deal with the intellectual property protection, to create the methodology and ensure the practical training of employees of these authorities. In 2004 the project resulted in training of 550 state administration officers and putting into service the Information Portal for enforcement of the intellectual property rights ( www.dusevnivlastnictvi.cz ). In 2007 the training of more then 1000 officers in IPR Enforcement took place. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
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4.2 Web Site |
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4.3 Contacts
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Miroslav Paclik Director of Patent Information Department Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic tel: +420 220 383 519 e-mail: mpaclik@upv.cz |
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4.4 Information Source |
Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources” |
