Four Steps of Patent Application Processing Procedures

After submitting patent application at National Office of Intellectual Property in Vietnam (NOIP), the applicant will concern on how their application will be processed.

Specifically, patent application will be gone through the following phases: receipt of application; formality examination of application; substantive (ex-officio) examination of application; grant of or refusal to grant protection titles; official registration and publication of decisions on the grant of protection titles.

Vietnam patent

Firstly, receipt of patent application:

When receiving the application in this first phase, the NOIP will check and prepare with the documents listed in the declaration to consider whether to receive the dossiers. In case of sufficient dossiers according to the law, the receiving officer shall receive the dossiers and stamp the submitting date in the dossiers and send back a declaration to the applicant. In case of insufficient dossiers, the NOIP shall decline to receive the dossiers.

Secondly, formality examination of patent application:

The purpose of formality examination is for examination of observance of regulations on formalities applicable to applications, serving as a basis for concluding whether applications are valid or invalid. If the application is valid, it will be proceeded to the next step, otherwise, it will be denied. The formality is considered related to the language in the application, application presentation, word size; the declaration must ensure the compulsory information and be uniformed; regarding the documents required to have the confirmation of competent authority then those documents must have that seal. Besides, the NOIP also check the filing date and priority date (if any). If there are any errors in the dossiers, the NOIP will send a notification to applicant of intention to refuse the valid application and set a period so as the applicant can correct the errors. In case applicant does not reply to the notification, the NOIP will issue the refusal notification of the application; if the application is valid, the NOIP will issue the acceptance notification of the valid application.

Thirdly, publication of valid application:

After being accepted the validity, the NOIP will publish the valid application on Industrial Gazette in the nineteenth month from the date of priority or the filing date in case the application has no date of priority or within two months after it is accepted as a valid application, whichever is later. If the patent application is under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, it shall be published within two months from the date it is accepted as a valid application and entering the national phase. Regarding the application which request for earlier publication, it shall be published within two months from the date the NOIP receives that request or the date it is accepted as a valid application, whichever is later.

Fourthly, substantive examination of patent application;

The purpose of substantive examination is to assess the protect ability of objects stated in those applications under the protection conditions and corresponding protection coverage. Be noted that during the substantive examination process to the application having the priority, the NOIP may use the searching information result and corresponding substantive examination result of the application submitted abroad. However, the applicant could actively provide the following documents for substantive examination: (i) searching information result and corresponding substantive examination result of the application submitted abroad (ii) the copy of protection title on the basis of similar application submitted abroad (iii) the documents related to technical art of the subject mentioned in the application which provided by oversea competent authority and other documents. The content of substantive examination is to assess the corresponding of the subject in the application to each protection claim. After finishing the substantive examination period, the NOIP will issue one of the following notifications:

-The subject in the application does not satisfy the protected conditions or satisfies the protection conditions and remains some errors. Then, the NOIP will issue a notification of intention of refusal to grant protection title and set a period for applicant to have opinion and correct the errors. If the applicant replies to the notification and the NOIP considers to be suitable, then NOIP then issues the intention of granting protection title and set a period for application to submit the granting fee.

-If the subject in the application satisfies the protected conditions, the NOIP then issues the intention of granting protection title and set a period for application to submit the granting fee.

In both the above cases, if the applicant submits the granting fee, publication of granting decision fee; registration protection title fee and first year remaining validity fee, applicant will then be granted the patent registration certificate. Every year, applicant will have to submit the remaining validity fee, otherwise, the protection title will be invalid.  It is suggested that patent attorney in Vietnam will be assigned to follow up with the authority for effective management of IP properties.

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Condition, Procedures and Period of Patent Registration in Vietnam

Before applying the patent registration, applicant needs to find out the matters related to conditions, procedures and period from the time of submission the application until granting the protection title when registering a patent to avoid the cases that National Office of Intellectual Property in Vietnam (NOIP) may issue the notification on denying examination due to not meeting criterias or non compatible dossiers.

Register invention in Vietnam

According to Law on Intellectual Property in Vietnam, a patent needs to satisfy 03 following criterias to be protected:

-An invention shall be deemed novel if it has not yet been publicly disclosed by use or by means of a written description or any other form either inside or outside Vietnam before the filing date or the priority date, as applicable, of the invention registration application.

-An invention shall be deemed not yet publicly disclosed if it is known to only a limited number of persons who are obliged to keep it secret.

-An invention shall not be deemed to have lost its novelty if it is published in the following cases, provided that the invention registration application is filed within six (6) months from the date of publication:

1.It is published by another person without permission from the person having the right to register it;

2.It is published in the form of a scientific presentation by the person having the right to register it;

3.It is displayed at a national exhibition of Vietnam or at an official or officially recognized international exhibition by the person having the right to register it.

-An invention shall be deemed to be of an inventive nature if, based on technical solutions already publicly disclosed by use or by means of a written description or any other form either inside or outside Vietnam prior to the filing date or the priority date as applicable of the application for registration of the invention, the invention constitutes inventive progress and cannot be easily created by a person with average knowledge in the art;

-An invention shall be deemed to be susceptible of industrial application if it is possible to realize mass manufacture or production of products or repeated application of the process which is the subject matter of the invention, and to achieve stable results.

For registration procedurds, after the application was filing, it will go through 02 phases of examination:

-The application will be examined formality from 1-3 months. If the application meets the formality criteria according to the law, NOIP will issue the decision on accepting the formality of the application. Then, it will be published on Industrial Property Official Gazette within 02 months from the date of issuing the above decision.

-Then, when having the request, the application will go through a substantial examination within 12-16 months. If meeting the protection criteria as mentioned above, NOIP will issue the Patent to applicant.

However, the actual examining period will be shorter or longer than as regulated.

In case of authorizing ANT Lawyers as IP agent in Vietnam, the client needs to provide the following documents:

-Name and address of the applicant;

-Name and address of inventor(s);

-POA to ANT Lawyers;

-Specification, Figures and Claims of the patent;

-Priority documents (if any);

-Other related documents.

ANT Lawyers - A Law firm in Vietnam is supported by a team of experienced patent, trademark, design attorneys with qualification and skills handling full range of legal services relating to intellectual property rights in Vietnam.  We have specialized in the preparation and registration of patents, trademarks and designs for our clients.

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How can I register an idea?

You can’t protect an idea, however you can protect an invention. Of course, the idea is the first step in that creation process, but until you create something tangible, there is no protection for you there. Once your idea manifests into an actual invention, then you can work through the process of protecting it through a patent. Depending on your invention, you will likely be considering one of the following patents:

Register invention in Vietnam 

Utility Patent: This type of patent focuses on function. It is appropriate to file for this patent if you have created a brand new product that has never been invented before.

Design Patent: This type of patent is appropriate if you have a product that is already established on the market, but you have created a new look that is incredibly unique.

In some instances, your invention may be eligible for both types of patents. To best determine where you should go from here, you should consult a patent attorney.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be taken as a substitute for legal advice. This does not create an attorney-client relationship with anyone who reads it.

Source: Quora

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Patenting An Idea: What You Need To Know

Patent protections exist in order to help inventors, designers and creators legally safeguard their work from those who would seek to use or profit off of it without express permission. The first thing that a patent applicant must do before formally filing for this type of protection is to determine what kind of application to file.

There are three types of patents available to individuals and businesses. First, those interested in protecting new and unique asexually reproducing plant species and hybrids may file for plant patents. Second, those wishing to safeguard designs of existing manufactured products and processes may consider filing for design patents. And finally, nine out of every ten patent applicants will opt to file for utility patent protections in order to ensure the proprietary nature of their manufactured products, processes and ideas.

Once the correct patent type has been identified, it is time to decide whether to file provisionally or non-provisionally.

Provisional Vs. Non-Provisional Patents

If you are planning to file for a design patent, you only have one type of application available to you. But if you are planning to file for a utility patent, you have two application options available. When the United States Patent and Trademark Office processes patent applications, it grants each request a filing date. This filing date is critical because it is the date that the USPTO will essentially start granting an affected product, process, design or idea protection in the event that a formal patent is eventually granted. This date therefore allows the patent holder a reference point upon which protections may be enforced in court.

The filing date is also critical because when prior art threatens to infringe upon the novelty of the product, idea, design or process in question, the USPTO evaluates the creation of that prior art against the filing date. Practically speaking, this means that the more quickly a patent applicant secures a filing date, the more secure that applicant may rest in the novelty of a creation and the potential for enforcement against any eventual attempts at infringement.

When an individual or business files a non-provisional application, the filing date is secured automatically because this application type formally requests patent protection. This is the only option available to applicants for design patents. Utility applicants may also file a provisional form up to 365 days before filing a nonprovisional request. A provisional application will allow an individual or business to secure a favorable nonprovisional filing date while granting the applicant extra time to formalize their formal, nonprovisional request.

The Patent Application Process

The nonprovisional patent application process is especially intricate and time-consuming. It is important to understand that any incorrect or incomplete elements of an application may lead to its rejection. Given how critical it is for an applicant to secure protections in accordance with an application’s initial filing date, it is best to avoid preventable rejection whenever possible. As a result, it is generally a good idea for both individuals and businesses seeking patent protection to work with legal counsel experienced in intellectual property matters as they prepare to file their applications.

When compiling necessary information for an application, write down every detail that could possibly impact the filing. Dates of improvements to the product, prototype drawings, research notes, etc., may all help to ensure that the USPTO ultimately determines that a product, process, idea or design is novel, non-obvious and (when required) useful. Aiding your attorney by providing all potentially relevant information will be very helpful to the process of compiling and filing your application.

It is worth noting that if for some reason your application is rejected twice, you may be able to appeal the USPTO’s original determination. Your attorney will be able to assist you with the appeals process. Similarly, if you feel the need to amend your application before it has been formally reviewed, your attorney will be able to assist you with the amendment process.

If filing a patent doesn't work out, other avenues to explore may be copyright, trademark and trade secret rights. I believe that creative work is uniquely valuable and should be protected under the law.

The information provided here is not legal advice and does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on any specific matter. For legal advice, you should consult with an attorney concerning your specific situation.

Source: Forbes.com

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What are the disadvantages of getting a patent, if any?

There are many advantages to patenting your inventions. You are granted a monopoly on your invention by the government in your jurisdiction for a known period of time.

You can license it to others and collect licensing fees and royalties.

You may also use it as a trading card with a competitor, e.g., licensing your patent to a competitor, and in return, obtaining licensing rights to a patent that is owned by the competitor. It is a very common practice used by large companies to avoid expensive infringement lawsuits.

Patent Law Firm in Vietnam

You can use it in a public relations campaign to position your company as an innovator.

However A patent is published for everybody to see and learn how you have implemented your invention. This is the only disadvantage that I see. Anybody can implement your invention, after its publication, without telling you about it. Proving infringement is a very expensive and time consuming process.

If you wish to keep your invention confidential for ever, don’t file a patent. Treat it as a trade secret by making sure to take adequate steps to always keep it confidential like Coca-Cola keeps it formula secret. The Secret Of Trade Secret Success

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How do I write a good provisional patent application?

A provisional patent - as you may already know - helps you buy some time (up to a year ) as you market and possibly develop your idea. This way, if the idea gains traction at some point during the year, you can convert this provisional patent to a fully-fledged utility patent. If not this, you can simply let it expire or lapse after testing the waters and realizing that it wasn't such a good idea to invest hundred of hours and thousands of dollars paying for a utility patent.

Nationalize PCT Patent Application in Vietnam

That being said, here is a quick primer on how to craft a provisional patent:

1. Research Thoroughly

Even before of thinking of filing for a provisional patent, you should first of all do a comprehensive patent search to know whether or not the idea you are interested in has already received another patent protection. Apart from that, conducting a separate search to ascertain that there haven't been any similar inventions that are patented is also a good way of avoiding a corporate lawsuit later. At the same time, you are also likely to come across suggestions of many available unpatented ideas that are in case yours is already taken. Either way, doing a thorough patent search is inevitable as long as you are considering to copyright your innovation.

2. Be Simple, Focused but Thorough

The provisional patent application ought to paint the picture of a unique innovation by listing the specific features/benefits that prove its novelty. In other words, a well-thought and thorough profile is likely to increase the chances of your application getting approved.

3. The Application Package

The full application package ought to tie in the following;

a. The specification of the innovation

b. A drawing of the innovation

c. The filing fee

d. The USPTO Cover

As far as the main body goes, it should consist of the Description of the Innovation, Tittle, Abstract, and the Claim.

Nowadays, you also have to include the drawings of the invention. These can be scanned into the main text area, sketched by hand or designed by CAD, manuals, design software or Powerpoint. Next up is the Claims that describe in detail what the patent seeks to protect. You don't have to include this, but it is recommended that you have them on your provisional patent application.

Lastly, you will have to paste an abstract that summarizes your invention. For this part, it is easier to re-state ( in a few words ) what you had described in the Claims.

The best way to draft a provisional patent application? Ideally, it’s with the assistance of a patentattorney. Patent lawyers do this stuff for a living and will maneuver the application process so that your utility patent application will be a seamless experience. Feel free to visit ANTLawyers.vn. Our legal marketplace is competitively priced, easy-to-use, and backed by a satisfaction guarantee. We offer free consultations to help make sure you’re hiring an attorney that will help you grow your vision. Good luck!

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Can an inventor and a company share patent rights?

Patent rights can certainly be shared between a company and an inventor. In fact, patent rights can be shared by any combination of people and/or entities you can imagine. I’ve attempted to answer.

Who initially owns patent rights?

Under United States patent law, the inventor (or inventors) of a patent own the patent rights unless and until they assign the patent to another person or entity. This means that in the absence of a transfer of rights, the inventor/inventors are the sole owner of the patent rights.

How are patent rights transferred?

Patent rights can only be transferred through a written document. In other words, an oral agreement will not transfer any rights. This requirement means that it is critical to create written agreements for all transfers of patent rights.

How can an inventor transfer some rights to a company?

A patent owner (including an inventor) can transfer some or all of the rights that come with a patent. A patent creates a number of rights, and you can transfer some or all of them via a license or assignment of rights. You also can create a contract that is separate from a patent transfer that entitles someone else to a portion of any revenue created through an invention.

Are there risks of joint ownership?

One issue to consider is that having multiple owners of a patent creates a number of potential risks. One of the rights that comes with a patent is the right to prevent other people from making, using, selling, offering to sell, or import the invention. If a patent is owned by multiple parties, ANY of the owners can provide a license to a third party that provides this right. In other words, a single owner could grant rights to a third party to make, use, sell, offer to sell, or import the invention.

Before you decide how patent rights will be owned and before agreeing to any transfers, you should consult with an intellectual property lawyer who can help you create an overall intellectual property plan. If you’re interested in learning how to create an intellectual property plan, you can contact our IP lawyers in Vietnam for advice via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call our office at (+84) 24 32 23 27 71

Source: Quora

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How to Select a Patent Attorney

Could you use a little help protecting your invention? If so, an attorney skilled in patent law is your best bet.

As you can imagine, conveying your invention to someone who knows nothing about it will be difficult.  Therefore, it is best if you are in direct contact with your patent attorney. You can meet in person and show the patent attorney any prototypes or drawings you may have to help illustrate your invention.  As you can probably guess, the process will go more smoothly if you work with a patent attorney near you.  Although it can be done, a long distance relationship will only strain the process.   

Probably the best way to select a patent attorney in your city is through word of mouth.  To help find referrals (and to associate with others who have interests similar to yours), you may want to join a local inventors club.  You can also search through the USPTO’s list of registered patent attorneys or even just use their database to check your potential patent attorney’s credentials.

When you are seeking out a suitable patent attorney, you need to ask about their experience and background. Ask them what degrees they hold, the number of years they’ve spent writing and prosecuting patents, and the number of patents granted.  Get references from previous clients and call them to ask about their experience with the patent attorney.

When selecting a patent attorney, it’s also important to find someone who specializes in the field your invention is related to.  Patent attorneys are not equal in all areas.  For starters, what is their degree(s) in?  This is very important.  Some patent attorneys will have a degree in engineering.  Other patent attorneys will be skilled in the field of biology, others physics and yet others, computer science.  You don’t want to take your newly invented cell line (yes you can patent such things) to a patent attorney with a background in electrical engineering.  You would want a patent attorney with a background in biology to help you with this type of invention. 

If you have a basic invention, going with a patent attorney with a general mechanical engineering background will probably save you some money.  Specialized professionals usually charge more.

You want their background and your invention type to match as closely as possible.  Writing patent applications is a bit of an art.  Obviously, a patent attorney will come in handy to help you through the legalese, but there is also a great deal of knowledge and specific technical detail that must go along with it.  This is why patent attorneys must have technical backgrounds.

How ANT Lawyers Could Help Your Business?

Please click here to learn more about ANT Lawyers IP Practice or contact our IP lawyers in Vietnam for advice via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call our office at (+84) 24 32 23 27 71

Author:Lisa Parmley

Source: Articlecitydate

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Attention in Drafting Registration Application for Invention

How to Protect Invention Patent in Vietnam?

Inventions are created with purpose to people’s life convenience and consequently bring economic benefits to the inventor. As a result, protecting the intellectual property of inventions through patent registration in Vietnam is essential.

However, applicant of invention may find it difficult in declaring some of the information i.e. name of invention, field of use, technical status of field of use, technical nature and brief description while drafting an invention description that meets legal regulations in Vietnam.

To overcome this difficulty, applicant should take note the followings:

Name of the invention: name of inventions and name of inventor should be brief without promotion.

Filed of use: the invention registration application shall demonstrate the filed in which the invention is applied or related.

Technical status of field of use: the technical shall include information of prior known technical solutions until the priority date of the same application.

Technical nature of invention: the technical nature of the invention is the purpose that the invention need to get or technical problem that the invention shall solve to overcome disadvantage or shortage of the same technical solutions declared in “Technical status of field of use” part.

The description of constitutive signs of invention: The description shall declare new signs of the invention.

Brief description with enclosed images (if any): Applicant shall declare and submit clearly the scope of protection invention request in the description. The scope shall be presented briefly, clearly and fix with the description and images as stipulation of law on intellectual property.

With professional staff and vast experience in Intellectual Property aspect in Vietnam, ANT Lawyers could support inventor in advising and drafting dossier to request patent protection in Vietnam.

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The Benefit from Protecting Invention Patent

How to Register invention in Vietnam?

Invention protection shall bring advantages for the owner of invention including the usage and application within the duration of 20 years. As Law on intellectual property of Vietnam, an invention patent shall be valid from the grant date until the end of twenty (20) years after the filing date.

Besides, Invention patent can bring its owner the followings:

The steady position on the market: with the invention patent, the owner of the invention shall have rights to prevent others from using their invention with commercial purpose. This will reduce the competitive capacity of competitors and bring preferred position for the owner.

Right to sell and license the invention: in case owners of inventions cannot use their invention by themself, they can sell or license the use of their inventions to other people or companies. They can license only the right of use and sell all of their inventions. This does not only bring them a lot benefits but also avoid risks because of the competition on the market.

When your inventions have been commercialized and got the significant position on the market, other companies or people might tend to copy and use your invention illegally or sell other products which are similar to yours. If your inventions were not properly registered at competent authority, the competitors and violators can use your inventions without breaching of law.

Therefore, it is essential to register a new invention to protect the owner’s rights to avoid unfair competition on the market.

Source: ANTLawyers.vn

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Register copyright in Vietnam

Copyright is violated on a regular basis in the music, publishing and software industries. ANT Lawyers IP practice offers client in protecting and enforcing copyrights and similar intellectual property rights as following:

Copyrightin Vietnam

• Advise legal matters of copyright and related rights in Vietnam and abroad;
• Conduct searches and provide information on copyright and related rights, advice measures to protect copyright and related rights in Vietnam and abroad;
• Complete the applications and file to register copyright and related rights;
• Enforce the copyright and related rights, including investigation, supervision, negotiation, mediation, lawsuit initiation to handle infringement in Vietnam and oversea.

Learn more about ANT Lawyers IP practice, experience and team members here;

For advice and specific details in each case, please contact us directly at ant@antlawyers.vn or call  +84 912 817 823.

Let ANT Lawyers help your business in Vietnam.

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