Trademarks Next Generation Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual (IDM-NG)

Message from the USPTO:

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the public debut of the Trademarks Next Generation Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual (IDM-NG). The IDM-NG, launched in “beta format”, features basic and advanced searching options, results that are returned in a sortable table and relevance ranking entries that correlate to the requested search criteria.  The IDM-NG will be available in tandem with the long established “legacy” ID Manual. Both systems will continue to be maintained and contain synchronized data.  The USPTO encourages users to compare and contrast the systems and provide feedback and suggestions to TMFeedback@uspto.gov with the subject “TMNG IDM Feedback.” Your input will shape the next phase of evolution in Trademarks Next Generation.

The TMNG-IDM is best viewed in Microsoft® Internet Explorer® Version 9 and higher, but is also accessible in Google® Chrome® browser version 32. Display resolution settings above 900px are recommended for optimal viewing of the search window and results table.

To view the IDM-NG in the beta format please visit: https://tmidm.uspto.gov

Santa Patents

US Design Patent D680465

Santa Claus is a popular topic for patents. Aside from the design patents using various images of Santa like a chocolate Santa (USD644410 issued Sep 6, 2011 or a Santa on skis (USDesign155477 issued on Oct. 11, 1949), you can find a Santa Claus detector shaped like a stocking (US5523741 issued June 4 1996), a kit for creating an illusion of a Santa visit (US7258592 issued Aug. 21, 2007), a Santa that disappears in a chimney (US3159935 issued Dec. 8, 1964), and an animated Santa on his sleigh pulled by reindeer (USD3820265 issued June 28, 1974) to name a few. Everywhere you look at this time of year, you'll see patented Santas.

Invention Statistics

Have you ever wondered how many people patent inventions each year from the Houston area or which institutions have the most patents? The Patent and Monitoring Team from the United States Patent and Trademark Office has made available at  http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/reports.htm the following reports:

• DRILL-DOWN Utility Patent Report, Patenting In U.S. Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas, Breakout By Organization, 2000 – 2013
• DRILL-DOWN Utility Patent Report, Patenting In U.S. Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas, Breakout By Technology Class, 2000 – 2013
• DRILL-DOWN Utility Patent Report, Patenting In Technology Classes, Breakout by Origin, U.S. Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas, 2000 – 2013
• DRILL-DOWN Utility Patent Report, U.S. State Patenting, Breakout by Regional Component (e.g., County), 2000 – 2013
• DRILL-DOWN Inventor Report, U.S. Resident Inventors and Their Utility Patents, Breakout By State Regional Component (e.g., County), 2000 - 2013

Statistics from the World's Five Largest Intellectual Property Offices

Message from the USPTO:

The world’s five largest intellectual property organization (IP5) released its 2013 Annual Statistics Report. The report is designed to facilitate an understanding of operations and patent procedures among the Offices, while providing a means for gauging inventive activity, technology flow and comparing procedures. The IP5 Offices, which together handle about 89 percent of the world’s patent applications, began meeting in 2007 and include: the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), and the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China (SIPO).

The IP5 offices also provide detailed statistical data sheets for historical numbers of patent application filings going back to the 1980s and patent grants broken down by International Patent Classification (IPC) codes and country of origin. The additional statistical data also includes an office by office comparison of fees associated with the patent process, including those associated with services by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

For the full report and additional information on the IP5 please visit their website: www.fiveipoffices.org/statistics/statisticsreports/2013edition.html.

Intellectual Property Webinar Series in December, 2014: Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will co-host a free webinar series to help business owners understand the intellectual property process, starting on Tuesday, December 9.

This three-part webinar series will provide participants with insightful tips for success on getting a patent or registering a trademark or copyright. Tune in and get answers from USPTO and U.S. Copyright Office senior intellectual property experts Elizabeth Dougherty, Anthony Knight, Susan Anthony, Craig Morris, and Sylvester Simpkins. The information shared will help you protect and promote your intellectual property rights.

• Patent Tips for Success – December 9, 1 p.m. ET (noon CST)
  Webinar overview: Make getting a patent easier with some useful tips for success from seasoned intellectual property experts.
  Presenters:
  Elizabeth Dougherty is the Director of Inventor Education, Outreach, and Recognition in the Office of Innovation Development at the USPTO. In this capacity, she develops, implements, and supervises programs that support the independent inventor community, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the intellectual property interests of colleges and universities.
  Anthony Knight is the Acting Associate Commissioner for Innovation Development at the USPTO. He coordinates the USPTO’s enhanced efforts to assist independent, small entity and university-affiliated inventors. He also works closely with other officials throughout the government in support of small business and entrepreneurship that creates jobs.
• Copyright Tips for Success – December 10, 1 p.m. ET (noon CST)
  Webinar overview:Learn how to register a copyright more easily and gain understanding how to use others’ copyrighted works properly, along with some useful tips for success from seasoned intellectual property experts.
  Presenters:
  Sylvester Simpkins is a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Copyright Office. He is currently a Senior Information Specialist in the Public Information Office. He provides copyright information services to the general public on the mission and responsibilities of the U.S. Copyright Office, its regulations, procedures, registration and recordation practices, and provides general information on copyright to Office visitors. He also helps to ensure the proper handling and security of all Library of Congress and Copyright Office materials.
  Susan Anthony is the Acting Director for the Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA), in the USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs in Alexandria, Virginia. GIPA provides training and education on all intellectual property issues – patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyright – for foreign and U.S. government officials, U.S. small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and to the general public. Susan has a broad range of experience and expertise in almost all facets of intellectual property protection and enforcement, in the United States and abroad.
  
• Trademark Tips for Success – December 11, 1 p.m. ET (noon CST)
  Webinar overview: Make registering a trademark easier with some useful tips for success from a seasoned intellectual property expert.
  Presenter:
  Craig Morris works in the Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks at the USPTO. Currently, he is the Managing Attorney for Trademark Outreach and spearheads efforts for increased USPTO educational activities in the area of trademark fundamentals. For 14 years prior, he was the Managing Attorney for the Trademark Electronic Application System, where he focused on making the Trademark operation a total e-government environment. Craig has been with the USPTO since 1983, previously serving as an examining attorney, senior attorney, and managing attorney.

Register today for the webinar series and learn some valuable tips that will help you to protect your innovations, spur creativity, and market your products effectively at home and abroad.