In the field of IP, there are many terms and abbreviations which are commonly used. Whilst they will soon become commonplace to you, at first they may all seem a bit mysterious! Here is a list of the most often used abbreviations:
- UKIPO – UK Intellectual Property Office – (official body where UK patents, trademarks and designs are registered)
- OHIM – Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (the official body for European Community trademarks and designs, now called EUIPO)
- EUIPO – The EU Intellectual Property Office
- WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organisation located in Geneva, Switzerland (official body for overseas IP protection)
- USPTO – United States Patent & Trademark Office (official body in the USA)
- CTM – Community trade mark
- RCD – Registered Community Design
- PCT – Patent Co-operation Treaty
- EPO – European Patent Office/Organisation
- EPC – European Patent Convention
- ISA – International Search Authority (relates to patent searches)
- NoA – Notice of Allowance (applies to US TM applications)
- NoP – Notice of Publication (applies to US TM applications)
- EOT – extension of time
- Madrid System – The Madrid system for the international registration of marks offers a trademark owner the possibility to have his trademark protected in several countries by simply filing one application (see Madrid System for more information).
- Hague System – The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs provides a mechanism for registering a design in countries and/ or intergovernmental organisations party to the Hague Agreement(see Hague System for more information).
- Reg cert – registration certificate
- Tel conf – telephone conference
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Last Updated on 30 March 2022 by Keith