International cooperation
We are an international patent authority with a focus on global issues. Here are some of the organizations we cooperate with.
WIPO
We work in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) regarding technical standards for data exchange, classification systems and publication. PRV represents Sweden in a number of working groups, engaged in long-term international development work within trademarks, designs and patents. We also run international training programmes in cooperation with WIPO.
WIPO provides training programmes, courses and seminars.
WIPO eLearning Centre
EPO
The European Patent Organisation (EPO) is an intergovernmental organisation comprising most of the countries of Europe. It was founded on the basis of an international convention signed in Munich in 1973. The European Patent Office headquarters are located in Munich and there are also offices in Berlin, the Hague and Vienna.
EPO's task is to examine European patent applications. Upon grant, a European patent can attain validity in all or some of the contracting states, either by validating the patent separately in each required state or by requesting unitary effect through the Unitary patent system. Find out more about the European patent system here:
EPO provides training programmes, courses and seminars.
epi Education
EUIPO
The Swedish Intellectual Property Office has an extensive collaboration with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante, where we exchange knowledge and information in with EUIPO and with other intellectual property offices and organisations. The object of this cooperation is to harmonise various trademarks and designs related issues within the Union.
EUIPO provides training programmes, courses and seminars.
EUIPO Academy Learning Portal (external website)
On site in Alicante, PRV has had several seconded national experts since 2006. We also have representatives participating in various meeting forms, including the Liaison Meeting where experts from the national Member State offices meet with representatives from EUIPO, the European Commission and user organisations to discuss the latest developments in the field of trademarks and designs, and to share experiences.
The major part of our cooperation with EUIPO is conducted through various projects. Together with EUIPO and other national IP offices, we help develop and contribute information to various IP tools that can be used by us and by our customers. Examples of such tools are TM Class and DS Class which serves as aid in the classification of trademarks and designs, along with Similarity Tool where you can view practice from courts and national IP offices regarding the similarity between different types of goods and services. Another service created in collaboration with EUIPO is streamalagligt.se, where legal alternatives for access to digital content are gathered. We also participate in various Convergence Programme projects, which aim to harmonise the assessment of trademarks and designs in the Union.
Together with the European Union Intellectual Property Office EUIPO, other national intellectual property offices and user organisations, the Swedish Intellectual Property Office has participated in several Convergence Programme (CP) projects in the field of trademarks and designs. The CP projects create common methods for assessing applications for registration of trademarks and designs, with the purpose to ensure a uniform examination between the EU member states. This makes it easier to seek IP protection in different countries and through different systems within the EU.
The material and the common methods developed in the Convergence Programme do not constitute sources of law but are to serve as guidelines and aids in the assessment of various trademark and design related issues.
Sweden has implemented the following practices:
Trademarks
CP1 on the harmonisation of classification
CP2 on the convergence of class headings
CP3 on absolute grounds – figurative marks
CP4 on the scope of protection of black and white marks
CP5 on relative grounds – likelihood of confusion (impact of non-distinctive/weak components)
CP8 on the use of a trade mark in a form differing from the one registered
CP9 on the distinctiveness of shape marks containing other elements when the shape itself is non-distinctive
CP11 New types of marks: examination of formal requirements and grounds for refusal
Designs
CP7 on the harmonisation of product indications for designs and a common indication database
CP10 on the criteria for assessing disclosure of designs on the Internet
EU cooperation
PRV is involved in the EU project VIP4SME. The project aims to give small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the knowledge and tools they need to make the best use of intellectual property rights. It develops services based on the needs of the SMEs, which can be used in their work with intellectual property rights.
Over thirty patent and trademark authorities participate in the project, as well as the business network Enterprise Europe Network and research and innovation organizations with extensive experience of intellectual property.
Innovaccess.eu
Nordic cooperation
There is a tradition of Nordic cooperation which among other things aims at harmonizing legislation regarding the protection of industrial property.
International training and development
PRV works with training at international level. That involves training within all areas of intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, designs, copyright and more) and the transfer of Swedish knowledge to developing countries and countries in transition. A large proportion are programmes aimed at getting countries to adjust their legislation, administration and maintenance of rights to meet international agreements, in a way that suits their conditions.
Further, PRV provides international experts and hosts study visits from abroad. PRV also helps to run international projects and coordinates development activities with the European Patent Organisation (EPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
These activities are normally financed by sources outside of PRV, such as Sida, WIPO, EPO or the EU.