ipbhutan.gov.bt Trademark & Patent Registration Process Bhutan : Intellectual Property Division

Organization : Intellectual Property Division
Type of Facility : Trademark & Patent Registration Process
Country: Bhutan

Website :
http://www.ipbhutan.gov.bt/?page_id=21
http://www.ipbhutan.gov.bt/?page_id=25

Trademark & Patent Registration Process :

Trademark Registry was established in the year 1997 under the Industrial Property Regulations to facilitate registration of marks.

Related : Road Safety & Transport Authority Transfer of Ownership Bhutan : www.statusin.org/27238.html

The registration is being carried out in line with the Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property and the Madrid system of international registration of marks. Trademarks are classified under the International classification of goods and/or services (NICE classification) as required by the Act.

Roles and Responsibilities:
a) Legislation and Policy:
** Conduct gap analysis of the existing trademark law with other trademark laws and regulations.
** Amend the trademark laws to meet the development needs of the country, taking into account international standards to facilitate registration services.
** Review IP policies.
** Study relevant international treaties and conventions for accession to safeguard domestic trademarks abroad.

b) Registration:
** Examine, search, and classify trademarks and facilitate registration and grant of trademark rights in line with the Industrial Property Act of Kingdom of Bhutan, 2001 and international conventions and classification systems (Paris, Madrid, NICE, etc.).
** Process trademark application with the use of Industrial Property Automation System (IPAS) and maintain records in Electronic Document Management System (EDMS).
** Automation of all the processes to deliver services efficiently
** Prepare/publish bulletins and carry out post-registration related activities (e.g. invalidation, renewals, licensing, certification etc.).
** Provide advisory services to applicants.

c) Awareness:
** Design and conduct advocacy and training programs to promote knowledge and understanding of trademark.
** Assist businesses in commercialization and maximizing the economic utilization of their trademarks such as marketing.
** Promotion of collaboration/networks among similar businesses and use collective and certification marks and
** Create awareness on the importance of trademark protection outside Bhutan via the Madrid system.

For detailed information on the registration process of trademark, please refer to FAQs on trademarks or contact Trademark Registry at telephone 02-335233 or email: clhazin@gmail.com or tjasu2001@gmail.com

Patent:
Patent Registry was established in March 2012 in line with the Industrial Property Act of Kingdom of Bhutan, 2001 to facilitate registration of inventions. The registration is being carried out in line with the Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property and follows the International Patent Classification (IPC) as required by the Act. The registry does not have the expertise to carry out the substantive search and examination of patent applications and is dependent on WIPO’s assistance, which provides free search and examination support to the LDCs.

Roles and Responsibilities:
a) Legislation and Policy:
** Develop/amend IP laws to meet the development needs of the country, taking into account international imperatives and public interest flexibilities such as in the area of health, education and environment.
** Study international treaties and conventions for accession.

b) Registration:
** Preliminary search, examination and classification of patent applications in line with the Industrial Property Act of Kingdom of Bhutan, 2001 and international conventions and classification systems.
** Coordinate with WIPO Patent Information Services Division for International Search and Examination and transmittal of documents through secure file transfer mode.
** Process patent application with the use of Industrial Property Automation System (IPAS) and maintain records in Electronic Document Management System (EDMS).
** Prepare and publish bulletins and carry out post-registration related activities (e.g. invalidation, maintenance, licensing and assignments etc.).
** Provide advisory services to applicants.

c) Awareness:
** Establish Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) in relevant institutions
** Promote the development of collaboration/networks of enterprises with the universities and other institutions to engage in R&D and innovative activities.
** Assist and encourage the public research institutions to collect and disseminate appropriate technology.
** Collaborate with international and national agencies to explore and introduce appropriate technologies.
** Assist the right holders in commercializing their works and maximizing the economic utilization of their intellectual property assets.

For detailed information on the registration process of patents, please refer to FAQs on Patent or contact The Registry of Patents at telephone 02-335233 or email: twwangmo@rediffmail.com or dchenwangmo@gmail.com