Authority, office launch online data for clients to use

THE Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and PNG Intellectual Property Office (PNGIPO) have launched an online data base search engine to help clients search for registered trademarks, patents and industry designs online.
IPA managing director Clarence Hoot, pictured, who launched the platform, said it not only provided results on intellectual property rights but also helped right holders and applicants monitor the progress of their applications and status timely.
He said it also allowed transparency within PNGIPO in terms of executing its processes and turnaround times within expected time frames.
“The platform will be available 24 hours and enables right holders, potential businesses applicants, companies and general public to have access to information on brands, patents and designs,” Hoot said.
“It will provide information on who has filed, what they have filed, the scope of protection and so forth from brands, inventions and designs.
“Currently, the data base for this three areas – trademark, patent and industrial designs – hold over 38,000–plus applications.
“This facility also displays analytical data depicting filing trends by various sectors including top filers in terms of countries.
“Users will be able to know the dominant sectors that have high volumes of applications for brands, patents and designs from various countries across the globe.”
Hoot said it was important for rights owners to take it upon themselves to register so that when it came to protecting intellectual property, they could pursue their interest by taking appropriate actions.
PNGIPO registrar Amelia Na’aru said the intellectual property office within IPA had a staff of who had a lot of work to cover.
“Before this platform was developed, we had people calling and emailing us asking for search reports.
“This platform will cut off that link and have users do the search themselves,” she said.
“That will alleviate our burden of going and doing the search which is free but will cost K50 if you come to us at the office,” Na’aru said.