[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”I have an idea, but I don\u2019t know if I should patent it or apply for a design protection?” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Patents<\/a>\u00a0are used to protect technical solutions, and do not protect the design as such.\u00a0Designs<\/a>, on the other hand, are not concerned about technical functions, but protect only the design. Therefore, it depends upon if the idea is primarily of a technical nature, of if it for example is a novel design of a product which is already known. In many cases, design protection is also an inexpensive way to supplement a patent protection.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Is a Swedish patent valid in the whole world?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]No, it is only valid in Sweden. All patent rights are, as a rule, national.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can I apply for a worldwide patent ?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]No, there is no such thing as a \u201dworld patent\u201d. 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<\/a>). 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.<\/p>\n In Europe, central prosecution and grant of a patent is available.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”It it possible to apply for a European Patent ? ” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Should I wait until I receive a granted patent in Sweden before applying in other countries?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”When can I start talking about \/ showing my invention?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”In what ways does a patent attorney add value?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can I apply for a patent myself?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_enable_color=”off” width=”100%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” border_color_all=”#18234f” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ header_3_font=”Open Sans|600||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#001e57″ header_3_font_size=”11px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_6_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” header_6_font_size=”12px” header_6_letter_spacing=”2px” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#f451c6″ open_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_text_color=”#18234f” closed_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#18234f” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”18px” closed_toggle_background_color_tablet=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color_phone=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color_last_edited=”on|tablet” icon_font_size_tablet=”” icon_font_size_phone=”18px” icon_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ toggle_text_color=”#18234f” toggle_level=”h1″ toggle_font=”Times New Roman||||||||” toggle_font_size=”24px” toggle_line_height=”1.5em” closed_toggle_font=”Open Sans|600||on|||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”12px” closed_toggle_letter_spacing=”1px” closed_toggle_line_height=”1.4em” body_text_color=”#18234f” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” animation_style=”fade” border_color_all=”#18234f” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Does the existence of the trademark registration stop others from trying to register the same trademark?” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.0.5″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]No, not automatically. As a consequence, we always recommend to set up a tailored trademark watching service in order to be able to promptly take action if someone else is trying to register an identical or a similar trademark. Even though the\u00a0Swedish Patent and Registration Office<\/a>\u00a0have the possibility to reject an application, it is still possible to file for a similar or an identical trademark for someone else through the European trademark authority (OHIM<\/a>), since they do not examine and refuse later applications on their own volition.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Is it possible to apply for a trademark registration covering the whole world?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]There are a number of ways to obtain trademark protection in several countries. For example, the so called\u00a0Madrid protocol<\/a>\u00a0makes 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\u00a0European Community Trademark<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0OAPI<\/a>\u00a0(Organisation Africaine de la Propri\u00e9t\u00e9 Intellectuelle).[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Do I have to apply for trademark protection in all countries at the same time? ” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]No, we can start with filing i a first country. We can then file in other countries within six months, by claiming priory.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Is it possible to find out if a trademark is available for registration?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Do trademarks have any requirement of use?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can you apply for a EU-trademark only for certain EU-countries ? ” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]No.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Does a Community Trademark offer the same scope of protection in Sweden as a Swedish trademark?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Yes. A Community Trademark can, however, be more vulnerable than a Swedish registration.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can I apply for a trademark registration covering the whole of EU?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Yes. It is possible to file a so called\u00a0Community trademark<\/a>\u00a0application.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Is a Swedish trademark valid outside Sweden?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]No. It is only valid in Sweden.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”For how long is the trademark registration valid?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]The term is ten years. Thereafter, the registration can be renewed again and again, indefinitely, for one ten year period at a time.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Is it necessary to apply for trademark registration if the same name is already registered as a company name?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Who can apply for trademark protection?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Juridical and natural persons.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Do I have to have a registered company to apply for a trademark?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]No.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_enable_color=”off” width=”100%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”||40px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” border_color_all=”#18234f” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ header_3_font=”Open Sans|600||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#001e57″ header_3_font_size=”11px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_6_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” header_6_font_size=”12px” header_6_letter_spacing=”2px” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#f451c6″ open_toggle_background_color=”#e2e2e2″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#18234f” closed_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#18234f” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”18px” closed_toggle_background_color_tablet=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color_phone=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_background_color_last_edited=”on|tablet” icon_font_size_tablet=”” icon_font_size_phone=”18px” icon_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ toggle_text_color=”#18234f” toggle_level=”h1″ toggle_font=”Times New Roman||||||||” toggle_font_size=”20px” toggle_line_height=”1.5em” closed_toggle_font=”Open Sans|600||on|||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”12px” closed_toggle_letter_spacing=”1px” closed_toggle_line_height=”1.4em” body_text_color=”#18234f” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” animation_style=”fade” border_color_all=”#18234f” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”I have an idea, but I don\u2019t know if I should patent it or apply for a design protection?” open=”on” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]Patents<\/a>\u00a0are used to protect technical solutions, and do not protect the design as such.\u00a0Designs<\/a>, on the other hand, are not concerned about technical functions, but protect only the design. Therefore, it depends upon if the idea is primarily of a technical nature, of if it for example is a novel design of a product which is already known. In many cases, design protection is also an inexpensive way to supplement a patent protection.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is protected by a registered design?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]A design registration protects the aesthetic appearance of the protected article. A technical function, however, is not protected. Technical solutions are protected using\u00a0patents<\/a>.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can I disclose my design before I apply for a design protection?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can I apply for a design protection myself?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Do I have to apply for a design protection in all countries at the same time?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]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\u00a0EU application<\/a>.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can I apply for a EU design protection?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Yes. There is a\u00a0Registered Community Design<\/a>\u00a0(RCD), covering all EU member states.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Is a Swedish design application also valid in other countries?” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]No. It is only valid in Sweden.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CONTACTNor\u00e9ns Patentbyr\u00e5 AB STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN +46 8 545 874 00 norens@norens.seFAQFAQ PatentContact us, let’s meet and work out a strategy for how to protect your idea.\u00a0 Patents\u00a0are used to protect technical solutions, and do not protect the design as such.\u00a0Designs, on the other hand, are not concerned about technical functions, but protect only the design. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13632","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nFAQ TRADEMARK<\/h3>\n
FAQ Design<\/h3>\n