IP FINANCIAL FRIDAY
09 DECEMBER, 2022
UNITARY PATENT COURT DELAY
December 5: The UPC has been pushed back two months to give users more time to get the required authentication and signature tools needed for accessing the Case Management System.
This shifts the beginning of the Sunrise period to March 1, 2023 and the entry into force of the UPCA on June 1, 2023.
It’s important to note that the EPO transition timeline hasn’t changed, and applicants can file early requests for unitary effect and for a delay in issuing the decision to grant a European patent starting January 1, 2023.
ONE VENDOR OR TWO?
There are a lot of IPMS vendors in the market, and also quite a few IP payment vendors. Some do both software and payments, some do just one or the other.
Discussing whether to use one vendor for everything, or split payments and software, is a bit like discussing politics or religion, but with a large number of clients switching IPMS solutions these days, we felt it would be helpful to explain some of the pros and cons behind each option.
EVERYTHING WITH ONE VENDOR
Pros: With one vendor, if there are any issues, you have one party to deal with. Additionally, vendors are improving their interfaces substantially, eliminating manual file transfers and making the process easier. You can also frequently leverage the payments to get reduced software fees.
Cons: Some vendors are better at software, others at payments. Selecting one vendor for software and payments could give you “best of breed” in one category, and “worst of breed” in another.
SPLITTING VENDORS
Pros: When you split software and payments, you have two independent sets of country laws performing calculations on your portfolio. Many clients like this level of redundancy. This approach also allows you to pursue a “best of breed” strategy for software and payments.
Cons: If something goes wrong or doesn’t work, you are stuck in the middle of two vendors – which can be painful. Two different systems also means that there won’t be much automation in the payments process.
FEE UPDATES
Madrid Trademark Filings and Renewals – Effective December 18:
- Japan Applications: 77 Swiss francs for the first class, 58 francs for additional classes (first part)
- Japan Applications: 223 Swiss francs for each class of goods and services (second part)
- Japan Renewals: 296 Swiss francs for each class of goods and services when renewing an international registration in
which Japan has been designated
Disclaimer
THIS POST IS STRICTLY INFORMATIONAL AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS LEGAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT A QUALIFIED ATTORNEY FOR SPECIFIC ADVICE REGARDING ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS.
