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:
European Union Intellectual Property Office
Bilateral Cooperation Agreements
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.
Cooperation Fund
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.
Convergence Programme
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.
More information on the above projects can be found on the EUtmdn portal.
European Patent Office
Bilateral Cooperation Agreement
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.
World Intellectual Property Organisation
Technical Assistance
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.
Redress or appeal:
Decisions of the office which are open to redress or appeal must be sent on
ipoffice@gov.mt or in writing at:
Commerce Department, Industrial Property Registration
Director Industrial Property Registration
Lascaris Bastions, Daħlet Ġnien is-Sultan,
Valletta VLT 1933, Malta
Disclaimer:
Unless otherwise indicated, the information contained in this site is issued by the Industrial Property Registrations Director within the Commerce Department at The Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands
Updated on:
Last updated on the 25th May 2022