IPONZ Case Management System Updates

On 31st March 2022 IPONZ introduced a number of changes to its case management system.

Some of the changes are minor tweaks, bug fixes or additional explanations that allow the relevant features of the system to function as intended or provide further clarification. However, there are also some enhancements aimed at providing more options as well as automated checks to highlight when potentially non-complying data has been entered. Notable changes are as follows:

• The Trade Mark Specification Builder now allows specifications to be exported into the trade mark application form in .xml format. The trade mark application form also allows the goods and services from any trade mark on the register to be imported into the specification.
• When a custom (non-pre-approved) term is added to an application’s specification four automated filters will be applied which will result in direct feedback being given if the term is not considered appropriate. Namely:
  1. If a custom term cannot be accepted in the current class but is pre-approved in another class, it will suggest moving the term to the appropriate class.
  2. If a custom term contains a registered trade mark that shouldn’t appear in a specification an alternative phrasing will be suggested.
  3. If a custom term contains keywords which indicate it may be too broad it will query whether the keywords accurately reflect the intended use of the trade mark.
  4. If a term is duplicated in your specification it will be suggested to remove the duplicate term.
• Organisations that maintain multiple case management system user accounts can now organise some of those accounts into teams. Each team will have a designated team contact who will receive all email communications for cases delegated to that team contact. Other members of that team will be able to view that case’s discussions and/or respond to its tasks. While this could be beneficial it is also subject to a number of restrictions that may make it inappropriate for some user account holders.
• When filing a provisional patent application, the option to upload the provisional specification to the WIPO Digital Access Service (WIPO DAS) will be selected by default.
• When updating priority claims for a patent application after examination has been requested, there is now an option to add a WIPO DAS code to these claims.
• The section 71 deadline by which a patent application under examination needs to be placed in order for acceptance is now visible on the case file in the public patents register.

Author: Quinn Miller

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