No, it is only valid in Sweden. All patent rights are, as a rule, national.

No, there is no such thing as a ”world patent”. In principle, all patent rights are national, even if there are a number of shortcuts to facilitate the application procedure. One example is a so called international application, under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). However, in order to result in one or several granted patents, a PCT application must enter the respective national phase in all countries in which protection is desired within about 30 months from the first filing date. Thereafter, these national applications have to be prosecuted in a way which is similar to that for a regular national application before each respective national patent office. This way, costs and administration are delayed. Importantly, the final decision of protection countries is also delayed. Furthermore, it is possible to save on costs if the novelty search for the PCT application shows that the invention is essentially already known. In that case, the costly national applications can be avoided altogether.

In Europe, central prosecution and grant of a patent is available.

No. In order to be able to use the so called priority right, patent protection should be applied for in other countries within 12 months from the date of filing of the first patent application regarding a certain invention. In case the first application was filed in Sweden, no Swedish patent has typically been granted yet at the expiry of the 12 month period. By way of exception, protection may be requested abroad prior to the publication of the first application, which takes place about 18 months after filing. This requires that the contents of the application have not previously been disclosed in some other way.

As soon as a patent application describing the invention has been filed, the technology can be disclosed to third parties. However, it may be wise to use a non-disclosure agreement

A patent attorney can advice about suitable protective strategies based upon the actual situation of the client. In case the client wishes to protect a certain technology, the attorney drafts an entire patent application after having received sufficient instructions from the inventor. After filing, the attorney takes care of all correspondence with patent offices and especially selected attorneys across the world in accordance with the wishes of the client.

In some cases. But it is advisable to appoint a professional representative. What patent protection that is obtained depends on how the patent claims are formulated, and sufficient support for these must be present in the description. No new technical subject-matter must be added after filing, and it is therefore often difficult to repair an application which is deficient to start with. For this reason, it is strongly advised to allow an experienced patent attorney to draft the application from scratch. Moreover, a patent attorney can help in positioning the requested patent protection within the larger intellectual property strategy in a balanced and cost-efficient manner.

There are a number of ways to obtain trademark protection in several countries. For example, the so called Madrid protocol makes it possible to apply for trademark registration as an International series covering many countries. One may also apply for national registration in every respective country, or use one of a number of community systems which are available, such as the European Community Trademark and OAPI (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle).

No, we can start with filing i a first country. We can then file in other countries within six months, by claiming priory.

We offer a so called identity search, in order to find out if an identical trademark is already registered in countries of interest. We can also recommend a similarity search, for finding out if the suggested trademark is in conflict with existing rights.

Yes. If it is not used within five years from the registration date it is vulnerable to cancellation for all goods and services for which the trademark has not been used.

No.

Yes. A Community Trademark can, however, be more vulnerable than a Swedish registration.

Yes. It is possible to file a so called Community trademark application.

No. It is only valid in Sweden.

The term is ten years. Thereafter, the registration can be renewed again and again, indefinitely, for one ten year period at a time.

No, this is not mandatory. However, it is important to note that a company name does not substitute a trademark registration, and that the trademark registration often offers a broader protection.

Juridical and natural persons.

No.

A design registration protects the aesthetic appearance of the protected article. A technical function, however, is not protected. Technical solutions are protected using patents.

The best thing is to file a design application before the design is shown to third parties, but under certain circumstances it is possible to obtain a design protection for an already disclosed design.

Yes, in some cases. However, by appointing a professional representative you will substantially increase your chances of obtaining a good design protection in countries where protection is wanted. An experienced representative knows what it takes to accomplish this.

No, you may start with one application, and then file applications in other countries within six months. The first application may, for instance, be a Swedish application or a EU application.

Yes. There is a Registered Community Design (RCD), covering all EU member states.

No. It is only valid in Sweden.