Programmes

Over the years, the Commerce Department has been involved in a number of Projects, mainly in conjunction with international organisations and partners in the area of intellectual  property.

 

The following is a brief background on these Projects:

 

 

Since 2007, the Commerce Department has entered into annual Cooperation Agreements with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).  The main purpose of  this agreement is to promote the Community Trademark and Design systems in Malta. 

 

Activities co-financed under these annual Cooperation Agreements include the organisation of  Information & Publicity Campaigns; Outreach Activities; and Helpdesk Services.

The Cooperation Fund was established in February 2010 to streamline working methods and modernise EU IP offices through up-to-date administrative solutions. EUIPO has invested €50 million in the Fund.

The Commerce Department, through the assistance provided by EUIPO, has implemented a number of the solutions available under the Cooperation Fund, such as the implementation of a new back office system for trademarks as well as for designs; e-filing of trademark and design applications to name but a few.  This office is also in the process of implementing other e-services such as renewal of registered trademarks and designs. 

The EUIPO Convergence Programme links EUIPO with national offices and user organisations to try to reach common ground in areas where IP offices have different practices. It was launched in 2011 and complements the work being done on common IT tools taking place under the Cooperation Fund.

The Convergence Programme  encompasses projects which range from seeking a common way to classify goods and services when applying for a trade mark or design to such legalities as whether black and white trade marks cover other colours or not.

The Commerce Department, through the Industrial Property Registration Directorate is also participating in these projects.

 

Since 2008 the Commerce Department has entered into  a Bilateral Cooperation Agreement (BCP) with the European Patent Office (EPO).  The office is currently in the process of drawing up a BCP for the period 2016-2018.

 

Projects under the BCP include: Outreach Activities; Patent Software Tools; and Training.

 

Additional information on the EPO’s Cooperation Policy and its European Patent Network is provided by clicking here​. 

 

The Commerce Department is implementing a number of measures with the assistance of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which include accession to certain WIPO treaties, implementation of a copyright registry; collaboration in the Innovation Awards; training.