Patent Offices’ Utility Models Seminar in Beijing

Dan Prud’homme of the IP Key Team moderated a panel discussion on the "The Future of the Utility Model System" at an all-day seminar on utility model patents on December 11, 2013.

The seminar was organised by China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Japanese Intellectual Property Office (JPO), and Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). In addition, the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) was also represented. The panel was opened with examples of differences in different countries' utility model systems, explanation of how such differences may be warranted pending several factors, and mention of factors that may indicate when reforms to utility model systems are warranted. The panel was then geared towards exchanging ideas and best practices on what characteristics are essential to solid utility model systems.

For further details, please refer to the seminar's agenda. utility_models_seminar_Beijing_Dec2013.pdf