27 February
2023
The IT
cooperation programme is an
ambitious initiative covering a wide range of tools and applications used by
the national offices, the EPO, and applicants.
One of the key projects of this programme is the development
of national online filing tools, in collaboration with national patent offices
and end-users to provide a modern and user-friendly interface for patent
applicants. In December, two offices (the Lithuanian State Patent Bureau and Spanish Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas) successfully
implemented the new Front Office filing software.
Screenshots from the national patent e-filing portal, showing data gathered from the Lithuanian SPB and Spanish OEPM
Applicants from those countries have successfully filed more
than 460 filings of different types, including among others, national and
European patents and supplementary protection certificates, using this modern
tool.
This has a direct positive impact on applicants who can now
rely on a modern filing tool covering all patent procedures. The new Front Office filing software will be implemented in more national offices in the coming months.
