It is crucial to guarantee uninterrupted functioning of Sakpatenti, to assure business operations in the present situation – An interview with Mindia Davitadze

In spite of the situation caused by the current pandemic, the National Intellectual Property Centre of Georgia Sakpatenti continues its functioning and provides its full services to users. International publication World Trademark Review article recognized, that Sakpatenti is one of the intellectual property offices worldwide which fully shifted its operations to teleworking and has not had any disruption in its activities.

Mr. Mindia Davitadze, Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Centre of Georgia - Sakpatenti, speaks to Interpressnews about the work of the office in the state of emergency and its future plans.

How well equipped was Sakpatenti to face the challenges raised in the country due to the pandemic?

Within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) e-Governance project, the electronic office management system for proceeding of all intellectual property subject-matters is introduced at Sakpatenti. This system allows Sakpatenti to receive and process applications electronically for all subject-matters, whereas applicants can monitor their applications online. The current electronic system was the main factor which enabled Sakpatenti to adjust to new challenges in very short period of time and continue to carry out the important functions imposed on it in fact without an interruption.  This is obviously important, as there are cases in the world when IP Offices of certain developed countries were forced to stop working fully or partially.

I would like to take this opportunity to express once again gratitude to our partners, the US Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Embassy of the USA in Georgia for their significant contribution to the introducing of the electronic office management system in Sakpatenti. 

To prevent spread of COVID-19, practically all offices have moved to teleworking. To what extent Sakpatenti has managed to offer all its services online?

Fortunately, owing to the team work, effective coordination and relevant material and technical support, it soon became possible for us at first partially and subsequently, after the declaration of state of emergency on the entire territory of Georgia, fully to move to the teleworking mode. 

From the initial stage, when the Interagency Coordination Council headed by the Prime Minister gave instructions and recommendations, we carried out relevant preventive measures and carried out preparation works to shift to teleworking. It was important to avoid interruption in the execution of the services, nevertheless the main objective was to take care of the life and health of Sakpatenti staff members, to create safe environment for their work. It may be said boldly that both tasks have been accomplished successfully.

However, I think, we have no grounds to relax, as new challenges may appear in the work process in future, which, I anticipate, will also be overcome successfully. 

As regards the proceedings of the office, how was teleworking reflected on the terms of the operations and in this period how actively do individuals and legal entities apply to acquire various intellectual property rights?

It can be said that we have had no interruption in the proceedings. Through various channels we proactively shared information concerning every step and modification which were implemented according to the recommendations of the Coordination Council with public and customers.  It is also noteworthy that we have close communication with patent attorneys and stage-by-stage they receive information from us via email. 

Bearing in mind that intellectual property is an essential tool of economic benefit for any private company, it is necessary to ensure uninterrupted functioning of Sakpatenti and to avoid problems for businesses in the current situation, whether obtaining a patent, or submitting a registration of a trademark or requesting permit to use the geographical indication status for the goods.  

As we have relevant distance working tools, we do not expect any disruption concerning the work processes. It may be said with confidence that our examiners, who are teleworking, are fully equipped technically, have access to necessary programs and systems, which enables them to fulfill smoothly and effectively the imposed commitments and obligations. I would like to once again kindly remind our customers not to wait for the period when they will be physically able to visit our office. Hence to obtain patent for IP object, or to make a trademark registration or deposition by using electronic channels of communication, including the electronic office management system. Moreover, in case of electronic communication, a 20% reduction on the service fees is established, which must be an additional encouragement.  

At this stage, the number of applications has not decreased, if we compare the statistical data of January-February-March with the similar period of the previous year, we may say that there is no decrease, on the contrary, the number of applications on some subject-matters have increased slightly. However, the number of applications may decrease which depends on the global current situation. 

 As regards the Chamber of Appeals functioning at Sakpatenti, at this stage how are appeals filed and heard, how frequent are the appeals?

The effective functioning of this principle in the IP field is a crucially important direction. The Chamber of Appeals operating at Sakpatenti has undoubtedly essential functions, it is an effective and efficient tool for dispute resolution. It hears the examination decisions taken by Sakpatenti with respect to intellectual property subject-matters. Accordingly, we have done everything to transfer the work of the Chamber of Appeals in the teleworking mode.

The Chamber of Appeals started teleworking sessions last week. The first such session took place on April 2, during which the board of the Chamber together with the representatives of the appellant company heard an appeal on the registration of a trademark. Thus, we have had no interruption in this direction either and the sessions of the Chamber of Appeals will continue in the teleworking mode until the end of the state of emergency.

As it is known, Sakpatenti offers training and delivers the General Course on Intellectual Property, how are you working in this direction?

Yes, the Training Centre functions at Sakpatenti, which was set up within the cooperation between the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Sakpatenti. Currently, 250 participants are registered for the General Course on Intellectual Property (DL101GE), which is the 5th session of distance learning (DL10120S1).

It is noteworthy that the graduates of the course receive a certificate from WIPO Academy which enables them to participate in future in other distance learning courses in separate fields of intellectual property law, offered by WIPO Academy. 

I would also note here that in general training is delivered periodically at the Training Centre of Sakpatenti, which is free-of-charge and are intended for any persons interested in the intellectual property rights.

Finally, please tell us about the future plans, what novelties are planned in Sakpatenti in this year?

At present we are actively working on the Twinning Project on “Establishing Efficient Protection and Control System of Geographical Indications (GIs) in Georgia”, funded by the European Union, as well as the project for improvement of the trademark and design system, also funded by the EU, which is implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The role of the European Union in the development of the intellectual property field of Georgia is very important, and I would like to express gratitude to the EU for this. 

As regards our plans, we have a lot of work, naturally there are certain challenges and to overcome them we plan to carry out relevant measures in the direction of development of the human and institutional resources of our organization, including further strengthening and intensification of the Training Centre activities. We also have to work in the direction of lawmaking, a number of measures must be carried out for raising public awareness, development and facilitation of the innovation activity, combating against counterfeiting and piracy, it is also necessary to carry out particular measures with respect to intellectual property subject-matters, including development of the geographical indications system. The four-year plan, which we will present to the public in future, includes primarily these priority directions, with specific steps and measures.  As it is important not only to retain, but also intensify the favorable positions which we occupy in the region from the viewpoint of harmonization with the EU standards, we continue working and taking into account that the authorities are doing everything in the present situation, I hope, the country will soon return to the normal rhythm.