Industrial Designs
We provide industrial design searches, filing and infringment litigations for the territories of Malaysia and Singapore.
There is a vague distinction between a patent and an industrial design, and often enough, when you have to chose between the two, you would need expert advice to disthinguise which is which. When you are faced with which to chose to file your idea, always seek proper advice as there is a big difference in the cost and time to secure the two categories. And sometime, choosing a third category like a trade secret could be even more apprppriate.
When in doubt, send us a note, describing in rough terms your product, so that we could advice you accordingly. Click here to send us a query
Yet another country has gone green with their IP office!
It was recently announced that the UK Intellectual Property Office is to institute a fast track processing for patents that has a tinge of “green” in its content. If your patent qualifies for the “green” tag, that is it has contents that can help in greening technology, then it will be accorded a fast track processing, including a patent examination straight after a search is been done. This could be Britain’s contribution towards an environment of eco-friendly technologies geared towards saving the world from global warming. The usual procedure is that after a search, the patent examination will only come about after six months. One of the areas that can be fast tracked through the green channel is new industrial designs. With a little tweak, some old designs could possibly turn into green industrial designs, or even green patents.
The UK is the second country introducing the green pathway, after Korea instituted a similar channel last month. More countries are expected to follow. Understandably, eco-friendly technologies are one of the fastest means to propel ailing economies away from the recession. It is also important that the country do not lag behind others in replacing much of the old technologies that are associated with gas guzzling contraption of the old world. Under such a scheme, considered as a daring British move, patents can be obtained just six weeks after a request for an examination, compared to an 18 months wait for the old. Existing applications which are awaiting examination will also be allowed to go through such channels if they come under the green category.
July 6, 2009
What? A Buddha Fruit?
Just how far can you go for want of a unique idea to sell? Well, just look at this farmer from Hebei province in China. She has successfully (tried hundreds of time?) cajoled the pears in her orchard to take the shape of the Buddha! Or more appropriately, she cupped the still growing pear in a mold of the shape of the Buddha and the fruit just took the shape. And it seems that the asking price is not cheap at all. It sells for $7/- a pop! This is one of those brilliant ideas that probably came in an inspiration of the religious kind. But hey, if she can do it, what is there to prevent others from doing similar things to their fruits. It must be said that in Asia, and particularly those from the Chinese stork, do offer fruits at their praying alters, so the idea of having the fruit taking the shape of their deities looked like a natural thing. Come to think of it, she should have filed for a patent for the method of achieving such a unique product, where filing a utility patent in China only cost $70/-!
September 20, 2009