The OEPM introduces the registration of Spanish patents on the internet
It's now possible to patent inventions by Internet
• Through the service of the electronic application for Spanish patents and utility models, the OEPM puts together the first measure included in its Strategic Plan for revising Electronic Administration.
• This service allows investors, SME's and large enterprises to take advantage of a 15% discount in application fees.
• This measure places Spain in the group of pioneering countries that are implementing electronic patent registration.
As of March 18, the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM), within the strategic adaptation plan of Law 11/2007 concerning Electronic Access to Public Services by Citizens, makes submitting invention patents and utility model applications available to the public by Internet.
Patents are titles that concede the holder the right to exclusively operate a determined innovation for a period of 20 years, as well as indicators and key elements for strengthening technological development. Depending on the territorial setting in which the applicant wishes to protect the innovation, three routes can be used. The national route, managed by OEPM, which concedes titles valid in Spain; the European route, which is managed by the European Patent Office, based in Munich and which allows protection in up to 38 European countries; and the International route, ruled by the PCT Treaty at the global level.
By means of this application, individuals and companies can present, in complete legality, applications for protecting their inventions and technological innovations from a computer and by installing free software provided by the OEPM at its webpage www.oepm.es.
Thanks to this new service, users will be able to:
- Fill out the application directly from their computer
- Attach application documentation
- Sign and send in the application
- Send the application to various organizations: OEPM, OEP, OMPI
Advantages of these procedures for the user include:
- It saves time
- There's an application fee discount
- Instant reception of receipt upon submitting
- It's highly secure
To ensure the confidentiality of applicants, those who are interested must have an electronic DNI (national identity number) or other certificate that allows for the advanced electronic signature and that's recognized by the Public Administration.
There will also be the possibility for submitting International PCT applications in the National Phase for invention patents as well as for utility models. International patent applications are those which are submitted in accordance with the Treaty of Cooperation in material concerning Patents (PCT) adhered to by 140 countries around the world.
This service offers the possibility of processing the application in accordance with the Accelerated Patent Concession Program (CAP), which is offered in addition to services available on the OEPM website for European and PCT electronic Patent applications.
For more information on these services, inquiries can be made in the “Invention e-Application” section at www.oepm.es.
