Patent

Reforma a Reglamento de Patentes de Invención y Diseños en Costa Rica en Abril de 2014

By ALPI on June 16, 2014 / Intellectual Property, Patent, Trademark

A partir del 24 de abril de 2014, se implementaron reformas importantes de procedimientos para inscripción de patentes de invención, diseños y modelos ante la Sección de Patentes de Invención del Registro de la Propiedad Industrial de Costa Rica

La reforma es notable por introducir importantes cambios de fondo y forma al pago de anualidades, así como la presentación e inscripción de solicitudes de patentes de invención, diseños industriales y modelos de utilidad. La reforma también consolida práctica adoptadas de facto por para la Oficina de Patentes, pero que carecían de fundamento legal hasta la fecha.

Las reformas fueron emitidas mediante el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 38289-H, publicado en la Gaceta No. 78 del 24 de abril de 2014, la cual reforma el Reglamento a la Ley de Patentes de Invención, Dibujos y Modelos Industriales y Modelos de Utilidad del 12 de diciembre de 1983.

Algunos de los cambios más notables incluyen:

Patentes de Invención y Modelos de Utilidad

Dimensiones de los dibujos no pueden exceder 15cm por 15cm (5.90 pulgadas por 5.90 pulgadas) y no pueden contener texto; solo signos de referencia que correspondan a lo indicado en la descripción
Los dibujos podrán consistir en fotografías del objeto de la solicitud, siempre que tengan un fondo neutro y sin sombras
Las solicitudes manifiestamente improcedentes pueden ser rechazadas de plano, mediante resolución razonada, concediendo la devolución del 50% de la tasa de presentación
A petición del solicitante, la publicación de la solicitud puede ser postergada hasta pro doce meses desde la fecha de presentación
Es posible solicitar una única prórroga, debidamente justificada, para presentar el poder luego del plazo de 3 meses después de la presentación de la solicitud
Ante un examen de fondo adverso, el solicitante tiene 15 días para solicitar una reunión con el examinador para discutir el fondo
Las tasas anuales para mantener la vigencia de la patente deberán ser pagadas por años adelantados. La tasa que debe abonarse por la inscripción y expedición del certificado, exonera el pago de la primera anualidad. La segunda anualidad y las siguientes que se adeuden desde la presentación de la solicitud y hasta la fecha de la concesión de la patente, deberán ser canceladas en un plazo máximo de dos meses contados desde la fecha de concesión.

Diseños y Modelos Industriales

Se reforma el concepto de originalidad. Un dibujo o modelo industrial es original en tanto su aspecto exterior se derive de un esfuerzo creativo individual del creador y no implique un nuevo cambio de colorido o forma de modelos o dibujos ya conocidos

Consultas: ip@alpilaw.com

Tel. (506) 2221-9058 o 2222-1785
Fax (506) 2222-6054

Amendment to Patent & Design Regulations in Costa Rica as of April, 2014

By ALPI on May 22, 2014 / Costa Rica, Intellectual Property, Patent

As of April 24, 2014, several new important changes practice before the Costa Rican Patent Office regarding Patents of Invention, Designs and Industrial Models & Utility Models came into effect.

The amendment is notable for introducing new formal and substantive changes to payment of annuities, prosecution and filing of applications for registration of patents of invention, designs and industrial models and utility models. The amendment also consolidates de facto practices adopted by the Patent Office that did not have prior legal basis.

The Regulations were issued via Executive Decree No. 38289-H, published in official Gazette No. 78 of April 24, 2014, which amends and expands the existing Regulations to the Patents Law.

Some of the most notable changes include:

Patents of Intention and Utility Models

Dimensions of drawings may not exceed 15cm by 15 cm (5.90 inches by 5.90 inches) and shall not contain any text; only reference numbers to the corresponding text in the specification.
Drawings may consist of photographs of the subject matter of the invention, as long as they have a neutral background and no shadows.
Applications that are notoriously deficient may be automatically refused. 50% of the filing fee will be returned to the applicant.
One single extension of time to submit the Power of Attorney may be requested, as long as sufficient justification is provided.
At the request of the applicant, publication can be delayed for up to 12 months after the filing date.
Applicant facing an adverse examination report have 1 month to file a formal response. Within the first 15 days of said deadline, the applicant may choose to meet with the examiner to discuss the issue.
Payment of the grant fee for patents and utility models is assimilated to payment of the first patent annuity. However, at the same time, the applicant must pay second and subsequent annuities as of the date of presentation of the application. Failure to pay will cause the Patent Office to initiate legal action for collecting the amounts owed by the applicant.

Designs and industrial models:

The concept of novelty was changed substantially. A design or industrial model is deemed to be original as long as the exterior appearance is due to the creative effort of an individual creator and does not imply a change in color or shape of known designs and industrial models.

Inquiries: ip@alpilaw.com

Tel. (506) 2221-9058 or 2222-1785
Fax (506) 2222-6054

Costa Rica: Brief Primer Intellectual Property Protection

By ALPI on August 31, 2012 / Costa Rica, Intellectual Property, Patent, Trademark

Thanks to the international harmonizing trend in IP laws, the procedure for registration and protection of patents of invention, trademarks and other IP rights is fairly standardized in Costa Rica and Latin America in comparison to the rest of the world. Most of the basic considerations regarding protection abroad also apply.

Where do you register your rights?

IPRs are registered by the Industrial Property Registry of Costa Rica.

Is a trademark registration mandatory?

Rights are acquired by mere use of the mark in commerce to identify goods and services. However, registration provides the greatest protection.

Before commercialization may begin, chemicals, hygienic products, cosmetics, medicines, biomedical machines, biomedical materials, and similar goods require a sanitary registration before the Ministry of Health. In these cases, a trade or service mark registration may be a formal requirement.

It is essential to plan any filings ahead of time to avoid any potential delays in entering the market.

What if my rights are infringed?

While use-based rights are recognized, it is preferable to initiate legal action after registration to reduce the burden of proof on the plaintiff.

In addition, it is common for local distributors to register the foreign company’s marks when the former fails to do so in a timely fashion. Sometimes this is done as a necessity (for instance, to secure sanitary permits), but other times as a way to obtain leverage in future negotiations.

How long does it take to secure a registration?

In the case of trade and service marks, the standard is 5 to 9 months. Additional delays may occur if the application encounters any issues.

Patents of invention and industrial designs may take upward from 24 months to register.

How to apply?

It is always advisable to conduct a search to determine if there are any conflicting third-party registrations or statutory limitations before you begin the application process.

If you wish to proceed with the registration process, you will need to have a Law Firm file and prosecute the application for you.

Law firms are appointed through a Power of Attorney. This document only requires notarization under the laws of the country of issuance, but not legalization by the Consulate/apostille. Often this is the only document that will be required to obtain a patent or trademark registration, but sometimes additional documents may be required (for instance, to prove assignment of rights or claim priority based on foreign applications).

Term of Registration

The registration term for trademark is 10 years from the date of registration, renewable for additional intervals of 10 years each. The term for patents of invention is 20 years from the priority date.