Gada Pårskats Annual Report

LATVIJAS REPUBLIKAS PATENTU VALDE PATENT OFFICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

GADA PÅRSKATS ANNUAL REPORT

2000–2001 LATVIJAS REPUBLIKAS PATENTU VALDE PATENT OFFICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

GADA PÅRSKATS ANNUAL REPORT

2000–2001 LATVIJAS REPUBLIKAS PATENTU VALDE Citadeles iela 7/70 Rîga, LV-1010 a/k 824 LATVIJA

Sagatavots un iespiests: a/s “Preses nams” poligråfijas grupa Jåña séta CONTENTS SATURS

CONTENTS SATURS Introduction 6 Ievads 6 Board of Appeals 10 Apelåcijas padome 10 Department for examination Izgudrojumu ekspertîzes of inventions 15 noda¬a 15 Department of Trademarks Preçu zîmju and Industrial Designs 21 un dizainparaugu noda¬a 21 Trademarks 23 Preçu zîmes 23 Industrial Designs 28 Dizainparaugi 28 Department of State Registers Valsts re©istru un and Documentation 31 dokumentåcijas noda¬a 31 Department for Information Informåcijas un redakcijas and Editorship 35 noda¬a 35 Department of Automation Automatizåcijas un and Computer Networking 37 datortîkla noda¬a 37 Chronology 38 Hronolo©ija 38 Financial Activities 42 Finansiålå darbîba 42 Inventors Izgudrotåji Walter Zapp and Minox 44 Valters Caps un Minox 44 Structure of the Patent Office 46 Patentu valdes struktüra 46

5 IEVADS INTRODUCTION

IEVADS INTRODUCTION Latvijas Patentu valde aizvadîjusi 10 darba gadus. The Latvian Patent Office has been functioning for ten Noslédzies arî kårtéjais divgadu cikls (2000.–2001.), years now. Another two-year period (2000–2001) has kad, sekojot tradîcijai, par ßådu laika posmu dodam come to an end, and by tradition we are giving an valdes darba analîtisku apskatu. analytical report on the Patent Office’s work during this Íajå laika posmå izgudrojumu un preçu zîmju period. pieteikumu skaits stabilizéjies. Taçu zinåtnisko During the period of review the number of appli- pétîjumu, tehnisko izstråΩu, kå arî raΩoßanas apjoms cations for invention patents and trademark registration acîmredzot ir nepietiekams, lai nodroßinåtu patentu un has stabilized. However the volume of scientific research, preçu zîmju pieteikumu skaita bütisku pieaugumu. technical developments and production is apparently Tåpat vél lîdz ßim ir daudz gadîjumu, kad interesanti insufficient to essentially influence the increase of the tehniski risinåjumi, kå arî preçu un pakalpojumu number of patent and trademark applications. On many zîmes, nezinåßanas vai nevérîbas dé¬ paliek bez occasions interesting technical solutions, or trade and tiesiskås aizsardzîbas. Tas liecina par nepietiekamåm service marks do not get legal protection due to zinåßanåm rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas jomå ignorance or negligence. This is indicative of insufficient visplaßåkå speciålistu un citu darbinieku lokå. Kaut arî knowledge in the sphere of industrial property protection Patentu valde ir zinåmå mérå atbildîga par among specialists and other workers. Although Latvian nepietiekamu izskaidroßanas darbu sabiedrîbå par Patent Office is partly responsible for insufficient rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas nozîmîgumu, tomér explanatory work among the general public about the uzskatu, ka daudz aktîvåk ßis darbs bütu jåveic significance of industrial property protection, I believe Rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas starptautiskås that Latvian National Group of AIPPI (International asociåcijas Latvijas Nacionålajai grupai un Latvijas Association for the Protection of Industrial Property) and Patentpilnvaroto asociåcijai. Latvian Association of Patent Attorneys should Íajå jautåjumå pirmos nopietnos so¬us spérusi participate in this work much more actively. Patentu valde, kopîgi ar Latvijas Tirdzniecîbas un The Patent Office has made the first significant steps rüpniecîbas kameru (LTRK) tås re©ionålajås noda¬ås in this sphere. In cooperation with the Latvian Chamber izveidojot, ja tå drîkst nosaukt, nelielus Patentu valdes of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) the Patent Office has “atbalsta punktus”. Íajås LTRK re©ionålajås noda¬ås formed something like “support centres” at the LCCI izvietoti normatîvie un metodiskie materiåli par regional offices all over Latvia. Normative and rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas jautåjumiem. methodological documents concerning industrial Patentu valdes speciålisti plåno regulåri apmeklét ßîs property protection are available at the LCCI regional LTRK re©ionålås noda¬as, lai sniegtu konsultåcijas un offices. The Patent Office experts are going to visit these palîdzîbu ßo re©ionu speciålistiem un citiem centres on a regular basis to consult specialists and other interesentiem. interested persons in the respective regions. Reåla palîdzîba rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas I expect that considerable assistance in explaining the nozîmîguma izskaidroßanå plaßåkai sabiedrîbai significance of industrial property protection might be jåsaista ar nodibinåto (Patentu valde ir tås rendered by the Academy of Intellectual Property and lîdzdibinåtåjs) Intelektuålå îpaßuma un inovåciju Innovation (Patent Office is one of the co-organizers). I akadémiju. Ticu, ka ne tikai izskaidroßanas darbs, bet believe that the explanatory work, as well as the arî tehniskås izstrådes un eksperimentålie darbi, kuri technical developments and experimental work tiks veikti Akadémijas ietvaros, pozitîvi ietekmés performed within the framework of the Academy will patentu un preçu zîmju pieteikumu iesniegumu skaitu have a positive impact on the number of patent and Patentu valdé. trademark applications filed with the Patent Office. Un tomér galvenais faktors, kas reåli varétu However, the most important factor, that can ietekmét patentu un preçu zîmju pieteikumu skaita influence the number of patent and trademark applica- pieaugumu, ir un paliek valsts ekonomiskå augßupeja, tions, is the economic development of the state, i.e. tas ir, zinåtnes, tehnikas un raΩoßanas attîstîba. scientific, technological and industrial development. Atskatoties uz Patentu valdes profesionålo darbîbu Looking back to the professional work of the Patent apskatåmajå laika posmå, gribu teikt, ka tå tika veikta Office during the period of review, I am happy to say kvalitatîvi, par ko liecina daudzu årvalstu speciålistu iz- that it has been of good standard. Many foreign teiktie viedok¬i. Domåju, ka viñu vértéjums ir patiess, jo specialists have confirmed this point of view. I believe Latvijas normatîvie akti, pirmkårt, rüpnieciskå îpaßuma that their estimation is true, as the laws and regulations

6 INTRODUCTION IEVADS of Latvia, in particular in the sphere of industrial property aizsardzîbas jomå, ir atbilstoßi Eiropas Savienîbas un protection, are in full compliance with the requirements Pasaules tirdzniecîbas organizåcijas prasîbåm, kå arî of the European Union and the World Trade to îstenoßana dzîvé notiek atbilstoßi tradîcijåm bagåto Organization, and these laws and regulations are being Patentu ieståΩu praksei. Izsakot ßådu vértéjumu Patentu implemented according to the practices of other – rich in valdes speciålistu darbam, nekådå gadîjumå traditions – patent offices. Despite the positive evaluation neuzskatu, ka varam büt apmierinåti ar sasniegto. Lai of the Patent Office’s work, I do not mean to say that we sasniegtu profesionålo sagatavotîbu un darba praksi, can be fully satisfied with our achievements. We have a kåda ir Patentu iestådém, kas paståv jau 100 un vairåk long way to go until we reach the level of professional gadus ar tajås strådåjoßiem, pie tam speciålu izglîtîbu qualification and practical experience of those patent guvußiem speciålistiem, kam 25 un vairåk gadu ståΩs, offices that have been functioning for 100 years or more, mums vél ir tåls ce¬ß ejams, bet més mér˚tiecîgi uz to and that employ many specialists who have received ejam, un katrs nostrådåtais gads to apliecina. specialized education in this field, and who have Zinåmå mérå to apliecina arî Eiropas Patentu working experience of 25 years or even more, but we organizåcijas izteiktais uzaicinåjums (2001. gada are heading for this aim and each year of our work 26. jünijå) Latvijas Republikai ar 2002. gada 1. jüliju attests to it. k¬üt par ßîs organizåcijas pilntiesîgu dalîbvalsti. In a way it was also confirmed by the invitation the Uzaicinåjums ir ne tikai apliecinåjums müsu varéßanai Republic of Latvia received, on June 26, 2001, from the un uzticéßanås, bet arî prasîba bütiski paaugstinåt European Patent Organization, to become a full-fledged atbildîbu un profesionalitåti. member state of this organization from July 1, 2002. This Íajå sakarîbå vélos kårtéjo reizi izteikt savu invitation does not only serve as proof of our capability pateicîbu Pasaules intelektuålå îpaßuma organizåcijas, and a sign of our trustworthiness, but also sets Eiropas Patentu organizåcijas, Austrijas, Våcijas, considerably higher standards of responsibility and Íveices, Japånas, ASV, Zviedrijas, Norvé©ijas un professional qualification. vairåku citu valstu Patentu ieståΩu vadîtåjiem un I would like to express my sincere gratitude once speciålistiem par dotajåm iespéjåm un sniegto again to the heads and specialists of the World palîdzîbu Patentu valdes speciålistu profesionålajå Intellectual Property Organization, European Patent izaugsmé. Organization, Patent Offices of Austria, Germany, Paraléli rüpém par Patentu valdes darbinieku Switzerland, Japan, USA, Sweden, Norway and other nepårtrauktu bagåtinåßanu ar jaunåm zinåßanåm un countries for the opportunities offered to us and for the iemañåm, ir jåpanåk, lai notiktu ne tikai plaßåka assistance rendered to help the specialists of Latvian sabiedrîbas informéßana par intelektuålå, pirmkårt, Patent Office improve their professional skills. rüpnieciskå, îpaßuma lomu ekonomikå un tå Besides taking care of improving the knowledge and aizsardzîbu, bet lai bütu arî iespéja visiem, kas par to skills of the Patent Office’s staff, we should also see to it intereséjas, apgüt ßajå jomå nepiecießamås zinåßanas. that the general public is more thoroughly informed Íeit iniciatîva, organizéjot îslaicîgus kursus un about the role of intellectual, and in particular, industrial, seminårus, jåuzñemas Patentu valdei, kå arî, domåju, property protection in economy, as well as help every ßo pienåkumu varétu veikt arî pieminétå Intelektuålå person interested in this field to obtain the necessary îpaßuma un inovåciju akadémija. Protams, ka galvenå knowledge. The Patent Office should take the initiative loma un atbildîba kvalificétu speciålistu sagatavoßanå and organize short-term training courses and seminars. intelektuålå (rüpnieciskå) îpaßuma jomå büs jaunajai I think that the previously mentioned Academy of Juridiskajai augstskolai, Latvijas Universitåtei, kå arî LU Intellectual Property and Innovation could also take part Starptautisko attiecîbu institütam. Gribu ticét, ka minéto in this. However, most of the work and responsibility for måcîbu ieståΩu vadîtåjus mums beidzot izdosies preparing highly qualified specialists in the field of pårliecinåt par nepiecießamîbu izstrådåt attiecîgas intellectual (industrial) property will be undertaken by the måcîbu programmas un tås îstenot. newly organized Riga Graduate School of Law, the Runåjot par speciålistu sagatavoßanu, joprojåm ¬oti University of Latvia and the Institute of International aktuåls ir jautåjums par tiesneßu apmåcîbu. Nav Affairs of the University of Latvia. I hope that we will noslépums, ka pakåpeniski pieaug (un noteikti pieaugs finally persuade the heads of these educational turpmåk!) patentu strîdu un preçu zîmju lietu establishments to work out the respective curricula. izskatîßana tiesås. Neskatoties uz Patentu valdes pülém Training of judges is still a very topical problem. It is un vairåku starptautisku un atseviß˚u valstu common knowledge that the number of cases concerning organizåciju palîdzîbu, ßobrîd Latvijå ir neliels skaits patent and trademark disputes examined by courts is tiesneßu, kuriem ir atbilstoßas zinåßanas, lai izskatîtu growing (and, no doubt, will continue growing). Despite lietas rüpnieciskå îpaßuma jomå. Tiesneßu korpusam, the efforts of the Patent Office and the assistance kuri bütu labi sagatavoti ßo specifisko lietu izskatîßanå, rendered by several international and national ievérojami jåpaplaßinås un, galvenais, jåbüt organizations, there are very few judges in Latvia, who profesionåli labi sagatavotiem. Pretéjå gadîjumå rodas have sufficient knowledge to be able to try cases in the tiesas k¬üdas, kas negatîvi atsaucas uz rüpnieciskå field of industrial property. The corps of judges that îpaßuma aizsardzîbas sistémas prestiΩu. Tiesneßu would be well prepared to deal with these specific cases sagatavoßanå, kå arî sistemåtiskå viñu kvalifikåcijas should be expanded considerably, but first and foremost paaugstinåßanå, més pamatoti ceram uz årvalstu they must have adequate professional training. organizåciju palîdzîbu un atbalstu.

7 IEVADS INTRODUCTION Latvijas Zinåtñu akadémija, piedaloties Patentu Otherwise judicial errors may happen, that would have valdei, ir sagatavojusi informåciju internetå par Latvijå a negative influence on the reputation of the system of radîtiem izgudrojumiem un vairåkiem pazîstamiem industrial property protection. We have good reason to izgudrotåjiem, sniedzot arî nedaudz informåcijas par hope for some assistance and support from foreign Patentu valdi. Pilnîgåka informåcija tiks sniegta organizations in training the judges and consistently topoßajå Patentu valdes måjas lapå. improving their qualifications. Runåjot par izgudrojumiem, kå arî nedaudz The Academy of Sciences of Latvia, in collaboration atgrieΩoties pie agråk izteiktåm domåm par patentu with the Patent Office, has published some information pieteikumu skaita pieaugumu, uzskatu, ka ir pienåcis on the INTERNET about inventions of Latvian origin, and laiks izveidot Latvijas Izgudrotåju asociåciju. about several well-known inventors. This site also gives Asociåcijas ietvaros varétu apmainîties domåm gan basic facts on the Patent Office. More comprehensive jaunie izgudrotåji, gan izgudrotåji ar ståΩu, tådéjådi information will be available from the Patent Office’s savstarpéji bagåtinoties, un, varbüt, radît jaunas idejas homepage that is currently under construction. un ieceres, kå arî kopîgi meklét iespéjas ßo ieceru Speaking of inventions, and returning to my îstenoßanå. Asociåcija varétu büt arî bütisks faktors previously expressed thoughts about the increase of the studentu un jaunu speciålistu iesaistîßanå number of patent applications, I believe the right time “izgudroßanas noslépumos un proceså”. Vélreiz has come to organize Latvian Association of Inventors. pieminot Intelektuålå îpaßuma un inovåciju akadémiju, The Association might offer an opportunity to the young uzskatu, ka palîdzét Latvijas Izgudrotåju asociåcijas inventors and to the more experienced ones to exchange izveidoßanå un veicinåt tås uzdevumu îstenoßanu, ir their opinions, that would be beneficial to all of them. viens no tås tuvåkajiem uzdevumiem. They might create new ideas and plans and together look Ievérojot Patentu valdes speciålistu piedalîßanos for the ways how to carry out their plans. The Association Pasaules Intelektuålå îpaßuma organizåcijas un could also be a significant factor in involving students Eiropas Patentu organizåcijas Programmu komitejås, and young specialists in “the secrets and the process of tika sagatavota Intelektuålå îpaßuma attîstîbas un tå invention”. Returning to the Academy of Intellectual aizsardzîbas nodroßinåßanas straté©iskås attîstîbas Property and Innovation again, I think that one of its programma valstî 2000.–2005. gadam kå tasks in the near future should be helping to organize konceptuåls priekßlikums, kas zinåmå mérå izrietéja no Latvian Association of Inventors and encouraging the ßo starptautisko organizåciju îstermiña un vidéjå accomplishment of the Association’s aims. termiña programmåm un ilgtermiña prognozém. Íajå Considering the participation of Patent Office’s konceptuålajå priekßlikumå – programmå ir ietverti ne specialists in the work of the Program Committees of the tikai jautåjumi, kas skar rüpniecisko îpaßumu, bet arî World Intellectual Property Organization and the autor– un blakustiesîbas, globålie informåcijas tîkli un European Patent Organization, the Strategic sabiedriskå diplomåtija, apmåcîba un vairåki citi Development Program for Ensuring Intellectual Property jautåjumi, kuru îstenoßana kopumå varétu dot bütisku Development and Protection in 2000–2005 was drafted ieguldîjumu valsts ekonomikå un tås attîstîbå. as a conceptual proposal. This proposal was to a certain Koncepcija akceptéta Ministru kabinetå. extent derived from the short-term and medium-term Nedrîkstu nepieminét vienu negatîvu faktoru, kas programs and long-term prognosis of these international bütiski kavé Patentu valdes attîstîbu. Tikai pateicoties organizations. The conceptual proposal – program deals tam, ka 1993. gadå Ministru kabinets pieñéma not only with industrial property, but also with copyright lémumu par Patentu valdes finanséßanu no tås and neighbouring rights, global information networks ieñémumiem par veiktajåm darbîbåm rüpnieciskå and public diplomacy, training and other issues, that, îpaßuma aizsardzîbå (Latvijå atß˚irîbå no citåm valstîm taken as a whole, could give a significant contribution to ßie maksåjumi tiek kvalificéti kå valsts nodevas!), kå tas the national economy and its development. The ir daudzås citås valstîs, més varéjåm sekmîgi veikt visus conceptual proposal has been approved by the Cabinet WIPO uzdevumus un pilnîbå iek¬auties kopéjå Eiropas of Ministers. valstu rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas sistémå. Unfortunately I have to mention also a negative factor Aizvien pieaugoßo aktuålo uzdevumu veikßana un that considerably hinders Patent Office’s development. attîstîba, lai arî turpmåk més bütu lîdztiesîgi partneri Due to the decision taken by the Cabinet of Ministers in Eiropas valstu saimé rüpnieciskå îpaßuma 1993 on the financing of the Patent Office from the aizsardzîbas jomå, prasa aizvien lielåku lîdzek¬u payments it received for industrial property protection – ieguldîjumu. Taçu 1999. gadå Patentu valde atkal tika just like in many other countries (although these iek¬auta budΩetå, tådéjådi stipri ierobeΩojot tai payments were labelled “state fees” in Latvia, unlike pieejamos lîdzek¬us, kuriem nav nekåda sakara ar other countries), we were able to perform the tasks set by budΩeta lîdzek¬iem (nodok¬u maksåtåju naudu), un lîdz the WIPO and to become part of the common industrial ar to ne tik vien krasi ierobeΩojot Patentu valdes property protection system of the European countries. attîstîbas iespéjas, bet pat apdraudot aktuålo Bigger and bigger investments were necessary in order uzdevumu veikßanu. Tomér ticu, ka pasaules valstu to cope with the growing amount of current tasks, and to Patentu ieståΩu pieredze pårliecinås attiecîgo Latvijas remain an equal partner among other European organizåciju vadîtåjus, ka ßie maksåjumi nav valsts countries in the field of industrial property protection. nodevas un, ka ßos ieñémumus Patentu valde pilnå Nevertheless, the Patent Office’s funds were included in mérå ir tiesîga izmantot tai nepiecießamajå apmérå. the state budget, thus drastically reducing the available

8 INTRODUCTION IEVADS resources, although the Patent Office’s funding was in no Uzdevumu, kas jåveic rüpnieciskå îpaßuma way related to the budget (money received from tax- aizsardzîbas jomå, ir daudz un atbildîgi. Tomér payers), and consequently radically limiting the izvértéjot iepriekßéjo gadu darbu, kå rezultåtå prospects of Patent Office’s development, and even izveidota dzîvotspéjîga rüpnieciskå îpaßuma putting at risk the performance of its current tasks. I aizsardzîbas nacionålå sistéma, kas pilnå mérå atbilst would still like to believe that the experience of many attiecîgajåm starptautiskajåm prasîbåm un praksei, Patent Offices from the whole world will convince the at¬aujos izteikt pårliecîbu, ka Patentu valdes speciålisti administration of the respective Latvian organizations veiks ßos uzdevumus, tådéjådi tålåk attîstot un that the previously mentioned payments are not state nostiprinot ßo sistému. fees, and that the Patent Office of Latvia has the right to use these resources to full extent according to its needs. Nobeidzot ßo nelielo ieskatu aizvadîtajå periodå, The tasks lying ahead of us in the sphere of industrial uzskatu par savu pienåkumu, vél vairåk – par iekßéji property protection are manifold and significant. diktétu nepiecießamîbu, no sirds pateikties visiem, Nevertheless, appraising the achievements of the visiem Patentu valdes darbiniekiem par viñu previous years, that have resulted in the formation of a paßaizliedzîgo un profesionålo darbu, par kole©ialitåti viable National system for industrial property protection, un savstarpéjo atbalstu. Par visu to, ko katrs ir which is in full compliance with the respective ieguldîjis, veidojot Patentu valdi, kå arî panåkot tås international requirements and practices, I would like to profesionålås varéßanas atzîßanu. express my firm conviction that the specialists of the Mana visdzi¬åkå pateicîba pårpilnam attiecinåma Patent Office will cope with these tasks, thus further gan uz kolé©iem, kas veidojußi un turpina veidot developing and consolidating this system. Latvijas Patentu valdi no tås pirmajåm dienåm, gan uz kolé©iem, kas ir kopå ar mums vél samérå îsu laika Before concluding this brief insight into the period of posmu! Vélreiz Jums visiem – Paldies! review, I feel an obligation, moreover – a necessity Dzi¬å cieñå un pateicîbå, dictated by my heart, to express my sincere gratitude to all the Patent Office’s employees for their professional Z. Aumeisters and selfless work, for their cooperativeness and mutual Direktors support, for everybody’s contribution to the development of the Patent Office that has lead to recognition of its professional competence. My heartfelt gratitude goes equally to the colleagues who have been forming the Patent Office from its first days, and to those who have been with us for a comparatively short time. Once again – thank you! With deep respect and gratitude,

Z. Aumeisters Director

9 APELÅCIJAS PADOME BOARD OF APPEALS APELÅCIJAS PADOME BOARD OF APPEALS 1995.–2001. 1995–2001 Vispårîgås piezîmes General remarks Latvijas Republikas Patentu valdes Apelåcijas The Latvian Patent Office’s Board of Appeals padome (turpmåk – ApP) tika izveidota saskañå ar (hereinafter – BA) was established in accordance with Patentu likuma noteikumiem 1995. gada 14. jülijå, the Patent Law provisions on July 14, 1995, when the kad Tieslietu ministrs apstiprinåja ApP Nolikumu Minister of Justice approved the BA Regulations (turpmåk – Nolikums). (hereinafter – Regulations). Atß˚irîbå no daudzu citu valstu prakses ApP Latvijå Unlike the practice of many other countries the BA is ir vienîgå administratîvå instance, kas izskata gan the only administrative instance in Latvia examining both apelåcijas pret LPV lémumiem, gan iebildumus pret appeals against LPO decisions and oppositions against patentu izsniegßanu un preçu zîmju re©istråciju. patents granted and trademarks registered.

No kreisås: Direktora vietnieks, Juridiskås noda¬as vadîtåjs, Apelåcijas padomes priekßsédétåjs Georgijs Po¬akovs, ekspertes – Ieva Plüme, Silva Drozdovska. From the left: Deputy Director, Head of the Legal Department, Chairman of the Board of Appeals Georgij Poliakov, examiners – Ieva Plüme, Silva Drozdovska.

Tiesiskais statuss Legal status Atbilstoßi nacionålo rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzî- According to the national laws on industrial property bas likumu un Nolikuma noteikumiem ApP ir LPV struk- protection and Regulations the BA is considered an admi- türvienîba. Taçu lémumu taisîßanå, t.i., apelåciju un nistrative unit of the LPO. Yet, in its decision making, i.e. in iebildumu izskatîßanas jautåjumos tå rîkojas kå patstå- examination of appeals and oppositions, it acts as an inde- vîga instance. ApP lémumu, ja tas saskañå ar likumu pendent body. A BA decision may, if subject to the statutory noteikumiem nav galîgs, var pårsüdzét tikai tieså. provisions it is not final, be appealed against only in court. Tiesiskå båze Legal grounds ApP kompetences robeΩas, funkcijas un darbîbas The sphere of competence, functions and activity of kårtîbu vispåréjos vilcienos nosaka Patentu likums, bet the BA is, in general, regulated by the Patent Law and, da¬éji arî citi nacionålie rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsar- partly, by other national laws on industrial property dzîbas likumi, kå arî iepriekßminétais Nolikums. protection, as well as the aforementioned Regulations.

10 BOARD OF APPEALS APELÅCIJAS PADOME Main tasks Galvenie uzdevumi The main task of the BA is, as set forth by the law and Galvenais ApP uzdevums, kå izriet no likumiem un Regulations, to ensure proper, uniform application of the ApP Nolikuma, ir nodroßinåt rüpnieciskå îpaßuma provisions of national laws on industrial property protec- aizsardzîbas normatîvo aktu vienveidîgu un pareizu tion with respect to examination of patent and trademark pieméroßanu patentu un preçu zîmju re©istråcijas applications. Another important task of the Board is to pieteikumu izskatîßanå. ApP arî nodroßina rüpnieciskå administratively enforce the industrial property rights in îpaßuma tiesîbu realizåciju administratîvå ce¬å tiesîbu case of conflict of interests of right holders. îpaßnieku intereßu konflikta gadîjumå. BA composition ApP saståvs Subject to law the BA members are appointed by the Saskañå ar likumu ApP locek¬us iece¬ Tieslietu Minister of Justice. It includes LPO representatives as well ministrs. Tås saståvå iek¬auj gan LPV pårståvjus, gan as independent experts – specialists in science, neatkarîgus ekspertus – speciålistus zinåtné, tehnikå technology and law. The BA in fact consists of two un jurisprudencé. ApP faktiski ietver divas padomes: boards: 1) Patent Board and 2) Trademark and Industrial 1) patentu padomi (kolé©iju) un 2) preçu zîmju un Design Board which are composed under the same dizainparaugu padomi (kolé©iju), kas izveidotas péc principles. vienådiem principiem. The Boards are composed by rotation. Any appeal, Padomes tiek izveidotas rotåcijas kårtîbå. Jebkuru or opposition, is examined by no less than three BA apelåciju vai iebildumu izskata ne mazåk kå trîs ApP members, one of them being a lawyer. locek¬i, viens no viñiem ir jurists. BA activities ApP darbîba The BA activities in 2000–2001 and in 1995–2001 ApP darbîbu 2000.–2001. gadå un 1995.–2001. are characterized by the following data (Table 1). gadå raksturo sekojoßi statistikas dati (1. tabula; I, II).

1. tabula. Apelåcijas padomes darbîba Table 1. Activities of the Board of Appeals 2000 2001 Dizainpa- Dizainpa- Kopå Izgudrojumi Preçu zîmes raugi Izgudrojumi Preçu zîmes raugi 2000–2001 1995–2001 Inventions Trademarks Industrial Inventions Trademarks Industrial Total Designs Designs I Apelåcijas Appeals Iesniegtas Filed –14– 2 6 –22228 Izskatîtas Examined – 20 – 16 – 27 228 Apmierinåtas Satisfied –8––1 –9114 Noraidîtas Rejected –12– 1 5 –1891 Izbeigta lietvedîba Terminated ––––3–327 II Iebildumi Oppositions Iesniegti Filed – 118 – – 140 1 259 949 Izskatîti Examined – 100 4 – 120 – 224 735 Apmierinåti Satisfied – 65 1– 92 – 158371 Mierizlîgumi Amicable agreements –––––––14 Noraidîti Rejected –35––23–58231 Izbeigta lietvedîba Terminated –483 –22–73182

11 APELÅCIJAS PADOME BOARD OF APPEALS Kå redzams no 1. tabulas, ApP visbieΩåk izskata The BA most frequently examines, as seen from Table gan apelåcijas, gan iebildumus, kas iesniegti preçu 1, appeals and oppositions filed in the field of zîmju jomå. trademarks.

2. tabula. Iebildumu izskatîßanas kvantitatîvi kvalitatîvais novértéjums Table 2. Quantitative and Qualitative Estimation of Examination of Oppositions 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Iesniegti iebildumi Filed oppositions 31 102 190 198 159 118 Izskatîti iebildumi Examined oppositions 3 70 115 159 167 104 Apmierinåti iebildumi Satisfied oppositions 0 2736718066 Noraidîti iebildumi Rejected oppositions 11845604935

1. zîm. Fig. 1

iesniegti iebildumi filed oppositions izskatîti iebildumi examined oppositions apmierinåti iebildumi satisfied oppositions noraidîti iebildumi rejected oppositions

2. tabulå apkopoti dati par treßo personu Further the data of Table 2 on third parties iebildumiem pret preçu zîmju re©istråciju oppositions against trademarks registration in 1995.–2000. g. Íie dati var izraisît interesi, jo tie var 1995–2000 will be analyzed. These data may evoke büt labs pamats daΩådu tendençu noskaidroßanai interest as they may constitute sound grounds for finding rüpnieciskå îpaßuma tiesîbu un, it seviß˚i preçu zîmju some trends in the field of industrial property rights, and, tiesîbu aizsardzîbas jomå. in particular, trademarks protection. 3. tabulå iek¬auti dati, kas attiecas tikai uz terito- Table 3 includes data covering only those territories rijåm, no kuråm aplükojamajå laika periodå iesniegts from where the greatest number of oppositions (up to lielåkais iebildumu skaits (ap 89%), un proti: ES 89%) has been filed in the period of review, namely: EU dalîbvalstis (~51% no visiem iebildumiem), ASV States (~51% of all oppositions; USA (~16%), (~16%), Íveice (~8%), kå arî Latvija (~14%). Uzmanîbu Switzerland (~8%) and Latvia (~14%). The trends of filing saista Latvijas izcelsmes iebildumu iesniegßanas of Latvian origin oppositions attract attention: their dinamika: pédéjos gados to îpatsvars ievérojami weight has notably increased recently. palielinåjies. Most of the oppositions (~70%) lodged by Latvian 1995.–2000. g. Latvijas vietéjie preçu zîmju domestic trademark holders in 1995–2000 were against îpaßnieki lielåko da¬u (~70%) iebildumu iesniedza pret other domestic trademark holders. Likewise opponents savas valsts preçu zîmju îpaßniekiem. Arî iebildumu from the EU States have lodged the greatest part of their iesniedzéji no ES dalîbvalstîm iesniedza lielåko oppositions against other trademarks holders from EU iebildumu skaitu pret ES dalîbvalstu preçu zîmju States (~42%). îpaßniekiem (~42%). Table 4 shows that the ratio of filed oppositions No 4. tabulas redzams, ka tikai Latvijas versus the amount of opposed marks is negative only in uzñéméjiem iesniegto iebildumu attiecîba pret case of Latvian companies. apstrîdéto preçu zîmju skaitu ir negatîva. Here the US companies have the best figures: the Labåkie rådîtåji ir ASV uzñéméjiem: apstrîdéto amount of opposed trademarks is approximately 1/4 of preçu zîmju skaits aptuveni ir tikai viena ceturtda¬a no the number of oppositions lodged by US companies. The ASV uzñéméju iesniegto iebildumu skaita. Sliktåki ir relevant indices of Swiss companies and, in particular, Íveices un, it seviß˚i, ES dalîbvalstu uzñéméju radîtåji those of the EU States are much worse (~47% and ~74% (attiecîgi ~47% un ~74%). respectively).

12 BOARD OF APPEALS APELÅCIJAS PADOME 3. tabula. Iesniegtie iebildumi 1996.–2000. g. (péc iebildumu iesniedzéju izcelsmes) Table 3. Filing of Oppositions in 1996–2000 (by Origin of Opponents) 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 ES valstis EU states 23 6157 76 56 Latvija Latvia 11 2152819 ASV USA 1524239 16 Íveice Switzerland 468129

2. zîm. Fig. 2

ES valstis EU States Latvija Latvia ASV USA Íveice Switzerland

4. tabula. ES un daΩu valstu pårståvju iesniegto iebildumu un apstrîdéto preçu zîmju attiecîba 1995.–2000. g. Table 4. The Ratio of Oppositions and Opposed Trademarks of Certain Territories, 1995–2000 ES Latvija ASV Íveice EU Latvia USA Switzerland Iebildumi Oppositions 276 75 87 42 Apstrîdétås zîmes Opposed marks 205 163 23 20

3. zîm. Fig. 3

iebildumi oppositions apstrîdétås zîmes opposed marks

The data of Table 5 indicate two opposite tendencies 5. tabulas dati noråda uz divåm diametråli that distinguish the activities of the EU States and Latvian pretéjåm tendencém, kas ir raksturîgas ES dalîbvalstu companies in the field of trademarks protection in the un Latvijas uzñémumu aktivitåtei preçu zîmju Latvian market. aizsardzîbas jomå Latvijas tirgü. Since 1997 the number of oppositions filed by the EU Kopß 1997. g. ES dalîbvalstu uzñéméju iesniegto ie- States firms is greater than that of opposed marks, the bildumu skaits pårsniedz viñu apstrîdéto preçu zîmju latter permanently decreasing each subsequent year. skaitu, kas ar katru nåkamo gadu paståvîgi samazinås.

13 APELÅCIJAS PADOME BOARD OF APPEALS 5. tabula. ES dalîbvalstu un Latvijas uzñéméju aktivitåte Latvijas tirgü Table 5. Activity of EU States and Latvia Companies in the Latvian Market 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 ES: iebildumi EU: oppositions 23 6157 76 56 ES: apstrîdétås zîmes EU: opposed marks 29 52 43 5128 Latvija: iebildumi Latvia: oppositions 11 2 152819 Latvija: apstrîdétås zîmes Latvia: opposed marks 1215484147

4. zîm. Fig. 4

ES: iebildumi EU: oppositions ES: apstrîdétås zîmes EU: opposed marks Latvija: iebildumi Latvia: oppositions Latvija: apstrîdétås zîmes Latvia: opposed marks

Abåm, gan iebildumu, gan apstrîdéto zîmju, lîkném Both curves, the curve of oppositions and the curve of (Latvija) ir vienåds raksturs: tås ir augßupejoßas. Taçu opposed marks (Latvia), have similar nature: they are atß˚irîbå no attiecîgås ES lîknes apstrîdéto zîmju lîkne upward. Yet, contrary to the corresponding EU curve, the pieaug straujåk nekå iebildumu lîkne. Latvian curve of opposed marks goes upwards more Tåtad var secinåt, ka kopß 1997. g. Latvijas swiftly than the opposition curve. uzñéméji ener©iskåk iesaistås savu preçu zîmju tiesîbu Thus, conclusions may be made that since 1997 aizståvéßanas proceså. Tai paßå laikå statistika Latvian businessmen have been more active in the course neapßaubåmi liecina, ka diemΩél daudziem Latvijas of protection of their right in trademarks. At the same uzñéméjiem joprojåm ir nepareizs priekßstats par time the data definitely testify that unfortunately many preçu zîmju izmantoßanas un aizsardzîbas îpatnîbåm. domestic traders still have a wrong notion about the use and protection of trademarks.

14 INVENTIONS IZGUDROJUMI DEPARTMENT IZGUDROJUMU FOR EXAMINATION EKSPERTÈZES OF INVENTIONS NODAÒA The two years reviewed Pårskatå aplükojamie in this report have been the divi gadi arî Izgudrojumu final years of the first decade ekspertîzes noda¬ai ir tås for the Department of darbîbas pirmås desmitga- Examination of Inventions, des noslédzoßie gadi, tåpéc and we shall bear it in mind statistikas dati skatîti ßî no- while viewing the statistical tikuma gaismå. data. Var uzskatît, ka ßis We can regard it as a periods ir bijis pårejas transition period to a normal periods, lai tuvotos nor- patent system. Several målai patentu sistémai. Ar procedures have been iepriekß teikto es domåju to, brought to their conclusion, ka ir beigußås vai iet uz such as the re-registration of beigåm tådas procedüras the former USSR documents, kå bijußås PSRS dokumentu the registration of European pårre©istråcija, Eiropas pa- patents and the registration tentu re©istråcija un of the pharmaceutical farmaceitisko produktu products under the 1994 re©istråcija saskañå ar Agreement between the 1994. gada Latvijas un ASV U.S.A. and Latvia. These lîgumu, kuras paredzéja procedures were governed atß˚irîgus noteikumus pa- by various provisions tentu izsniegßanai, bet ¬åva regarding the grant of attiecîgo re©istråcijas lügu- patents while letting the mu iesniedzéjiem saglabåt Noda¬as vadîtåjs Dr. Guntis Ramåns applicants retain their Head of the Department Dr. Guntis Ramåns tiesîbas uz savu intelektuålo intellectual property rights. îpaßumu.

6. tabula. Pieteikumu sadalîjums pa kategorijåm 1992.–2001. g. Table 6. Breakdown of Patent Applications by Categories. 1992–2001 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 1992–2001 Nacionålie pieteikumi National applications 143 318 243 253 213 173 200 102 112 123 1880 To skaitå Latvijas pieteicéju pieteikumi Including domestic applications 73 155 179 210 196 162 195 91 98 117 1476 Starptautiskie pieteikumi (PCT) International applications (PCT) – – 6 86 138 69 50 56 42 42 489 Attiecinåtie Eiropas patenta pieteikumi Extended European patent applications – – – 306 708 1709 1991 2832 3587 3714 14847 Starpsumma 143 318 249 645 1059 1951 2241 2990 3741 3879 17216 Subtotal Eiropas patentu re©istråcija Registration of European patents 3 12 17 21 23 29 33 24 24 15 201 Pårre©istråcijai iesniegtie bijußås PSRS dokumenti Former USSR documents filed 5201079––––––––1599 for re-registration Farmaceitisko patentu re©istråcija Latvijas–ASV lîguma ietvaros – – – 25 96 – 2 – – – 123 Registration of Pharmaceutical patents under the Latvian–USA Agreement To skaitå ASV îpaßnieku patenti Including applications of USA origin –––1412–2––– 28 Kopéjais pieteikumu skaits 666 1409 266 691 1178 1980 2276 3014 3765 3894 19139 Total number of applications

15 IZGUDROJUMI INVENTIONS 7. tabula. Izsniegto patentu skaits péc kategorijåm 1993.–2001. g. Table 7. Number of Granted Patents. Breakdown by Categories. 1993–2001 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 1992–2001 Izsniegtie patenti, pamatojoties uz nacionålajiem pieteikumiem Granted patents for national applications – 21 275 419 167 181 107 101 109 1380 Izsniegtie patenti, pamatojoties uz starptautiskajiem pieteikumiem (PCT) Granted patents for international – – 179 13368 47 49 49 426 applications (PCT) Attiecinåtie Eiropas patenti Extended European patents ––––43175163142415 Starpsumma – 21 276 498 304 280 229 313 300 2221 Subtotal Re©istréti Eiropas patenti Registered European patents – – 10441842291323179 Pårre©istrétas bijußås PSRS autorapliecîbas Re-registrered author’s certificates 35533720–––––– 712 of the former USSR Pårre©istréti bijußås PSRS pieteikumi Re-registered applications of the former USSR –15322210––––– 547 Re©istréti farmaceitiskie patenti Latvijas–ASV lîguma ietvaros –––23856––– 114 Registered pharmaceutical patents under Latvian–USA Agreement Kopéjais patentu skaits 355 373 628 775 407 328 258 328 323 3775 Granted patents – total

6. un 7. tabulå ir atrodami dati par iesniegto pietei- Tables 6 and 7 contain data on the number of filed kumu un izsniegto patentu skaitu pårskata periodå, kå applications and granted patents during the period of arî salîdzinåjumam pievienoti dati par iepriekßéjiem ga- review as well as in the previous years. The total amount diem. Kopéjam iesniegto pieteikumu skaitam ir tendence of filings is on the increase, mostly on account of palielinåties, galvenokårt Eiropas patentu pieteikumu European patent applications, but the number of granted dé¬. Izsniegto patentu skaits gadå turpina saglabåties patents remains on the same level as in the previous iepriekßéjå lîmenî. Kopéjais daΩådås procedürås years. The total number of patents granted under different izsniegto patentu skaits 2001. gada beigås ir sasniedzis procedures had reached 3775 by the end of 2001 when 3775, no kuriem spékå uz 2001. gada beigåm bija 1947 of the granted patents were still valid. During this 1947. Íajos desmit gados, neskaitot pårre©istrétos PSRS ten-year period 1476 domestic applicants and 1093 dokumentus un Latvijas un ASV lîguma ietvaros foreign applicants have filed patent applications, not iesniegtos pieteikumus, pieteikumus ir iesniegußi 1476 including the re-registered USSR documents and the Latvijas pieteicéji un 1093 årvalstu pieteicéji. applications filed under the Latvia–U.S.A. Agreement. Lielåkais årvalstu pieteicéju skaits, kå tas redzams We can see in Table 8 that most foreign applicants no 8. tabulas, ir no ASV, Våcijas, Íveices, Somijas, are from the U.S.A., Germany, Switzerland, Finland and Zviedrijas. Pavisam pieteikumi ir sañemti no 41 valsts, Sweden. Patent applications have been received from 41 ieskaitot tådas valstis kå Austrålija, Indija, Horvåtija, countries in total, including Australia, India, Croatia, Dienvidåfrika, Kipra. Kas attiecas uz Latvijas pieteicéju South Africa, Cyprus, etc. As for the comparatively large iesniegto pieteikumu relatîvi lielo skaitu, gandrîz 60%, number of domestic applications (almost 60% of the tomér vajadzétu ñemt vérå, ka Latvijas Patentu likums total), we should bear in mind that the Patent Law of neparedz pilnås ekspertîzes veikßanu un tåpéc da¬a Latvia does not provide for full examination therefore pieteikumu neatbilst novitåtes, izgudrojuma lîmeña some of the inventions might not comply with the novelty kritérijiem. and inventive step criteria. Aplükojot atseviß˚us pieteikumu veidus var iegüt ne- We can indirectly derive information about Latvia’s tießu informåciju par ståvokli Latvijas zinåtné un rüpnie- science and industry by looking at various types of patent cîbå. applications.

8. tabula. Izsniegto patentu skaits péc kategorijåm 1993.–2001. g. Table 8. Number of Granted Patents. Breakdown by Categories. 1993–2001 Påréjås LV US DEFI CH SEFR RU GB Other

1476 325 169 64 64 59 53 47 43 269

16 INVENTIONS IZGUDROJUMI National Applications Nacionålie pieteikumi According to Table 6 the number of national Kå redzams no 6. tabulas, tad Latvijas pieteicéju na- applications filed by domestic applicants has risen to cionålo pieteikumu skaits pédéjå gadå, péc iesniegto pie- 117 last year after the pronounced decrease in 1999 teikumu krituma 1999. gadå, kad tika paaugstinåtas Pa- that was caused by the increase in patent fees. The tentu valdes nodevas, ir såcis atkal pamazåm palielinåties, following years will show if this tendency is going to sasniedzot 117 pieteikumus gadå. Vai tå büs paståvîga last. tendence, rådîs nåkamie gadi.

9. tabula. Pieteikumu un patentu sadalîjums péc Starptautiskås patentu klasifikåcijas Table 9. Breakdown of Applications and Registered Patents by IPC Classes SPK klase/IPC A B C D EF G H Kopå/ Total Latvijas pieteicéju nacionålie pieteikumi Domestic Applications 433 207 304 15 83 153 122 159 1476 Starptautiskie (PCT) pieteikumi PCT 15046 1711136213123 489 Attiecinåtie Eiropas patenti Extended European Patents 87611897 19142117 415 Re©istrétie Eiropas patenti Registered European Patents 481512007821 201

The breakdown of domestic patent applications by IPC Latvijas pieteicéju iesniegto pieteikumu sadalîjums pa classes (Table 9) shows that most applications are filed in klasém (9. tabula) noråda uz to, ka lielåkå da¬a pieteiku- Class A (household objects, agricultural products and mu tiek iesniegti A klasé, kur pårsvarå tie ir daΩådi sadzî- medicine) and Class C (chemical substances and methods ves priekßmeti, lauksaimniecîbas produktu izstrådåjumi un of their production). The results indicate that food and medikamenti, C klasé, kurå atrodamas ˚îmiskås vielas un chemical industries are the most active sectors in Latvia. to iegüßanas pañémieni. Rezultåti råda, ka Latvijå raΩoßa- na notiek galvenokårt pårtikas un ˚îmiskajå rüpniecîbå. International (PCT) Applications Latvia has been a member state of the Patent Starptautiskie (PCT) pieteikumi Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since 1993. The popularity of Latvija ir Patentu Kooperåcijas lîguma (PCT) this system has been growing rapidly during the last few dalîbvalsts kopß 1993. gada. Íîs sistémas popularitåte years. As of January 1, 2002, the Treaty embraced 116 pédéjos gados strauji aug. Uz 2002. gada 1. janvåri countries. Latvian applicants have been using this system lîguma ietvaros darbojås 116 valstis. Arî Latvijas since 1996 with about 5 filings per year, but in 2001 the pieteicéji izmanto ßîs sistémas priekßrocîbas jau kopß number of PCT applications of Latvian origin had reac- 1996. gada, kad gadå vidéji tika iesniegti 5 hed 9. The PCT system is very convenient for domestic pieteikumi, bet 2001. gadå no Latvijas tika iesniegti applicants as it lets them file an application to all member jau 9 pieteikumi. Latvijas pieteicéjiem ßî sistéma ir states at the same time for a reduced fee (which Latvia, izdevîga, jo ¬auj savlaicîgi par samérå niecîgu maksu as a country of transitional economy, is eligible for) and (ar atlaidém, kå valstij ar pårejas ekonomiku) iesniegt also have a novelty search done. The examiners of the pieteikumu vienlaicîgi uz visåm dalîbvalstîm, iegüstot European Patent Office or the Patent Office of the novitåtes mekléjumu rezultåtus. Mekléjumus Latvijas Russian Federation perform the search for Latvian pieteicéjiem veic Eiropas un Krievijas Patentu ieståΩu applicants. Thus the applicants receive sufficient eksperti. Tådéjådi pieteicéjs iegüst pietiekoßi precîzu information about the inventions’ patentability and can informåciju par sava izgudrojuma patentspéju, kura take adequate decisions about their further activities. ¬auj viñam izvéléties tålåko darbîbas plånu. The low number of international applications coming Latvijå ienåkoßo Starptautisko pieteikumu skaits nav to Latvia during the last few years (slightly over 40) can liels, pédéjos gados nedaudz vairåk par 40 gadå, kas be accounted for by the possibility of extending izskaidrojams ar iespéju pieteicéjam izvéléties létåku European patents to Latvia, which is cheaper. When ce¬u, attiecinot Eiropas patentu uz Latviju. Salîdzinot comparing the number of PCT filings by IPC classes, we ßos ienåkoßos pieteikumus pa klasém var konstatét, ka can see that the greatest part of applications fall in lielåkå da¬a ir C un A klasés. A klasé galvenokårt classes C and A (mostly medicines in class A). This medikamenti. Tåtad årzemju pieteicéji ¬oti labi zina, proves that foreign applicants know which of Latvia’s kuras nozares Latvijas rüpniecîbå pagaidåm ir industries are competitive in the world market. konkurétspéjîgas pasaules tirgü. Extension of European Patent to Latvia Eiropas patenta attiecinåßana uz Latviju It has been possible to extend European Patents to Kopß 1995. gada 1. maija ir iespéjams attiecinåt Latvia since May 1, 1995. The number of applications in- Eiropas patentu uz Latviju. Pieteikumu skaits, kuros dicating Latvia as a designated state had reached 3714 in norådîtå valsts ir Latvija 2001. gadå sasniedza 3714. 2001. Since 1995, when it became possible to request Kopß 1995. gada, kad k¬uva iespéjama lüguma

17 IZGUDROJUMI INVENTIONS iesniegßana par Eiropas patenta attiecinåßanu uz extension of European Patents to Latvia, it could have been Latviju, to izdarît varéja 1304 gadîjumos. Iesniegti tika done in 1304 cases. Actually 434 requests for extension 434, kas ir 33% no izsniegtajiem Eiropas patentiem, to Latvia have been filed that constitute 33% of the granted kuros norådîtå valsts ir arî Latvija. Nav zinåms, cik European Patents which had Latvia as a designated state. liels skaits pieteikumu, kuros norådîta Latvija, tika We have no information about the number of applications noraidîti. designating Latvia that have been refused. Kas attiecas uz attiecinåto patentu sadalîjumu pa As regards the breakdown of extended European klasém, tad tas ir vél vairåk izteikts par labu C klasei, Patents by IPC classes, the predominance of class C is kur attiecinåto patentu skaits sasniedz gandrîz pusi no even more pronounced as almost half of the extended to kopéjå skaita. patents fall in this class. Katrå gadîjumå attiecinåßanas procedüra veicinåja The extension procedure has greatly facilitated our iepazîßanos ar Eiropas patentu sistému un tåpéc acquaintance with the European patent system and paredzétå pievienoßanås Eiropas Patentu konvencijai therefore we do not expect the envisaged Latvia’s tuvåkajå nåkotné neradîs lielas problémas. accession to the European Patent Convention to cause any noticeable problems.

VÅRDS NODAÒAS DARBINIEKIEM THE FLOOR IS GIVEN TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT Lielåko ieguldîjumu noda¬as darbå ir devußi tås 3 darbinieki – Måra Rozenblate, kuras darbîbas lauciñß The most significant contribution to the department’s ir biolo©ija un medicîna, Félikss Grunsbergs – ˚îmija work has been given by its three staff members – Mrs. un Jånis Ratenieks – tehniskås nozares, elektrîba un Måra Rozenblate whose field of work is biology and fizika. Visi viñi ir strådåjußi gandrîz no paßa Patentu medicine, Mr. Félikss Grunsbergs – chemistry and Mr. valdes darbîbas atjaunoßanas såkuma. Tåpéc tålåk, lai Jånis Ratenieks – technology, electricity and physics. All runå viñi paßi. of them have been working at the Patent Office from the very beginning. Let them speak for themselves. Måra Rozenblate: Lîdzîgi kå citås valstîs, arî Latvijå lielåkå da¬a Måra Rozenblate: patentu ir tådås cilvéka dzîvei svarîgås jomås kå Most patents in Latvia, as well as in other countries, farmåcija, pårtikas rüpniecîba un, protams, pertain to the spheres relating to human necessities, such biotehnolo©ija. Årzemju kompånijas un zinåtniskås as pharmacy, food industry and biotechnology. Foreign iestådes ir patentéjußas ©enétiski modificétus mikro- companies and scientific institutions have patented organismus un ßünu lînijas, kas producé daΩådus fer- genetically modified microorganisms and cell lines that mentus un hormonus, kas izmantojami medicînå, produce various enzymes and hormones for use in veterinårijå un rüpniecîbå. Ir patentéti daΩi transgéni medical and veterinary science and industry. Several dzîvnieki – farmaceitiski derîgu vielu producétåji, kå transgenic animals capable of producing pharmaceut- arî transgéns augs – kartupelis, ar izmainîtu fermenta ically useful substances have been patented, as well as a alfa–amilåzi kodéjoßo génu. Arî Latvijas zinåtnieki un transgenic plant – a potato with a modified alpha-amylase uzñémumi ir patentéjußi vairåkus interesantus izgudro- encoding gene. Domestic scientists and companies have jumus. Patentéts also patented ir pretvîrusu pre- several interesting paråts Larifåns, inventions. An kas ir labs lîdzek- anti-viral drug lis pret herpes Lariphan has been vîrusu infekciju, patented that is a komerciåli veiks- good remedy for mîgi ir vairåki herpes viral infec- uzñémuma Bio- tion. LLC Bioefekts efekts raΩotie produces com- augu kaiték¬u mercially apkaroßanas successful prepa- lîdzek¬i, kuru rations for plant saståvå ir jauni pest control mikroorganismu containing new celmi. Íajos microbial strains. desmit gados During the last ten Latvijas zinåtnie- years Latvia’s ki un uzñémumi Galvenå eksperte Måra Rozenblate scientists and ir patentéjußi arî Senior examiner Måra Rozenblate enterprises have

18 INVENTIONS IZGUDROJUMI patented many other interesting inventions but they have citus interesantus izgudrojumus, taçu bijußi spiesti pår- been forced to let their patents lapse before the expiration traukt patenta uzturéßanu spékå priekßlaicîgi, trükstot of their term as the conditions are not favourable for labvélîgiem nosacîjumiem jaunu izstrådñu ievießanai introducing new developments into national economy. tautsaimniecîbå.

Félikss Grunsbergs: Félikss Grunsbergs: Considering the decrease in the proportion of appli- ˆemot vérå vispårîgo tendenci – izgudrojumu cations that are filed directly with the Patent Office of tießo pieteikumu îpatsvara samazinåßanos Latvijå uz Latvia as compared to the growing number of extended attiecinåto Eiropas patentu skaita pieauguma ré˚ina, European Patents, the number katru gadu samazinås arî of directly filed patent tießi pieteikto izgudrojumu applications in the field of skaits ˚îmijas nozaré. chemistry has also been Tehniskås organiskås decreasing each year. In the ˚îmijas laukå 2000.–2001. sphere of technical organic gadå Latvijas ˚îmi˚u chemistry Latvia’s chemists uzmanîba ir virzîta uz had concentrated mostly on augsta oktånskait¬a deg- production of high octane vielas iegüßanu, bioetanola number fuel, production of un denaturétå etilspirta bioethanol and denatured iegüßanu, kå arî smago ethyl alcohol, as well as og¬üdeñraΩu apstrådi (5 processing of heavy hydro- izgudrojumi). Otrs virziens carbons (5 inventions) in ßajå jomå ir metålu virsmu 2000–2001. Another notable aizsargpårklåjumi (4 izgud- trend in this sphere has been rojumi) – gan organiskie protective coating of metal pårklåjumi, gan elektro˚î- surfaces (4 inventions) – miskås metodes pårklåjumu organic coatings, electro- uzneßanai, gan berzi chemical plating methods, samazinoßas smérvielas, anti-friction lubricants and gan melno metålu korozijas ferrous metal corrosion inhibitori. Smalkås orga- inhibitors. In the field of fine niskås sintézes jomå kå organic synthesis one of the interesantåkais atzîméjams most interesting was an izgudrojums par adaman- invention dealing with tertiary tåna treßéjiem spirtiem, kura alcohols of adamantane that Galvenais eksperts Dr. Félikss Grunsbergs saknes iestiepjas pretvîrusu stems from the antiviral Senior examiner Dr. Félikss Grunsbergs preparåta remantadîna medicine Remantadine. lauciños.

Jånis Ratenieks: Jånis Ratenieks: Hoare’s Law of Large Problems from Arthur Bloch’s “Katras lielas problémas iekßiené séd maza “Murphy’s Law and Other Reasons Why Things Go “problémiña”, kas cenßas izlauzties laukå” – tå skan Wrong” reads as follows: “Inside every large problem is Hora lielo problému likums no A. Bloha apkopotajiem a small problem struggling to get out”. Patent applicants “Mérfija likumiem un påréjiem iemesliem, kåpéc have their large and small problems too. Some applicants daudz kas notiek nepareizi”. Problémas un are interested in protecting their business from “problémiñas” ir arî izgudrojumu pieteicéjiem. Vienus competitors, others – in solving energy problems by interesé, kå aizsargåt savu biznesu un ne¬aut to darît creating an engine that would make use of costless konkurentiem, citus – kå atrisinåt ener©étiskås energy sources by exploiting gravity or other fundamental problémas, radot dzinéju, kura patérétå ener©ija neko laws of nature. The idea of “perpetuum mobile” never nemakså, izmantojot tikai un vienîgi gravitåcijas vai dies either. There are “inventors” that pass somebody citus fundamentålos dabas likumus. MüΩam dzîva ir else’s inventions as their own, and then, taking advantage arî “perpetuum mobile” ideja. Ir arî “izgudrotåji”, kas of the fact that the original inventions are not protected by piesaka citu izgudrojumus kå savus un, izmantojot to, patents in Latvia, they try to force the manufacturers pay ka tie Latvijå juridiski nav aizsargåti ar patentiem, them compensation for using their spurious inventions. mé©ina izspiest no raΩotåjiem kompensåciju par viltus During the last decade the company Baltaruta (that izgudrojuma izmantoßanu. was later transformed into the Latvian–Norwegian joint Íajå desmitgadé mehånikas nozaré kå nozîmîgåkå venture Baltnorvest) was holding the leading position in atzîméjama izgudrojumu sérija véja ener©étikå, kur the field of mechanics with a series of inventions lîderpozîcijas pieder firmai Baltaruta, kas gadu gaitå

19 IZGUDROJUMI INVENTIONS transforméjås par Latvijas un pertaining to wind energy. Norvé©ijas kopuzñémumu We should also point out Baltnorvest. two inventions by Jåatzîmé arî S. Miropo¬eca S. Miropolets – Hydraulic divi izgudrojumi Hidropie- Drive and Rotary Engine which dziña un Rotordzinéjs, kur represent a new version of an augstå tehniskå lîmenî automobile clutch and a new îstenots jauns automobi¬a version of a Wankel engine, sajüga variants, kå arî both performed on a very high Vanke¬a dzinéja jauns va- technical level. The author has riants. Ar tießu autora participated in the operation lîdzdalîbu Kalugå (Krievijas tests of the hydraulic clutch in Federåcija) notikußas Kaluga (Russian Federation) hidrosajüga ekspluatåcijas introducing additional impro- pårbaudes, darba proceså vements in the process. radot vél virkni uzlabojumu. Among individual appli- No individuålajiem pie- cants Prof. J. Greivulis from teicéjiem vél jåatzîmé prof. J. Riga Technical University Greivu¬a (RTU) radoßå should be marked who, in aktivitåte, kas sadarbîbå ar collaboration with the SJSC VAS Latvijas Dzelzce¬ß un Latvijas Dzelzce¬ß and his saviem studentiem, iesniedzis students, has filed many patent daudzus izgudrojumu pietei- applications. All of his kumus. Visi tie saistîti ar inventions are related to control elektrodzinéju un elektro- Galvenais eksperts Dr. Jånis Ratenieks systems of electric motors and transporta daΩådu vadîbas Senior examiner Dr. Jånis Ratenieks electric transportation. un kontroles sistému darbu.

20 DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF PREÇU ZÈMJU UN TRADEMARKS AND DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS 1992.–2001. 1992–2001 Patentu valdes Preçu zîmju un dizainparaugu noda¬a ir attîstîjusies un pilnveidojusies lîdzîgi påréjåm The Department of Trademarks and Industrial Designs Patentu valdes noda¬åm, par saviem galvenajiem uz- has been developing and improving over the years just devumiem uzskatot preçu zîmju re©istråciju Latvijå, ar like other Patent Office’s departments. Its main tasks have ßo re©istråciju saistîto procedüru izstrådi un nodroßi- been to register trademarks in Latvia, to develop and nåßanu, kå arî ar preçu zîmju re©istråciju, bieΩi arî carry out the necessary procedures related to trademark plaßåkå nozîmé – ar preçu zîmju aizsardzîbu – registration and to deal with the theoretical and practical saistîto praktisko un teorétisko jautåjumu risinåßanu aspects of trademark registration and protection. Latvijå.

7. zîm. Preçu zîmju un dizainparaugu noda¬as darbinieku skaits (1992.–2001. g.) Fig. 7 Staff of the Department of Trademarks and Industrial Designs (1992–2001)

In March 1992 just one person launched the 1992. gada martå noda¬as darbîbu aizsåka viens department’s work, but during the following 10 years the cilvéks, bet desmit gadu laikå darbinieku skaits ir number of employees has increased to 12. At the end of pieaudzis lîdz 12, no kuriem 2001. gada beigås 10 2001 ten of the employees were working full time and two strådåja pilnu, bet 2 – nepilnu darba dienu. Noda¬å – part time. The department has been split in two sections atbilstoßi preçu zîmju pieteikumu sañemßanas gaitai in accordance with the basic flows of trademark izveidoti divi sektori. Nacionålo preçu zîmju sektora applications. The Section of National Trademarks kompetencé ir to preçu zîmju pieteikumu izskatîßana, examines the trademark applications filed directly with the kuri nepastarpinåti tiek sañemti Patentu valdé péc tå Patent Office under the so-called national procedure, while sauktås nacionålås procedüras. Savukårt Starptautisko the Section of International Trademarks deals with the preçu zîmju sektora kompetencé ir to zîmju pieteikumu applications that are forwarded to Latvia as a member izskatîßana, kurus Latvija kå Madrides nolîguma par state of the Madrid Agreement Concerning the zîmju starptautisko re©istråciju (kopß 1995. gada 1. International Registration of Marks (since January 1, 1995) janvåra) un Madrides nolîguma par zîmju starptautisko and of the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement re©istråciju protokola (kopß 2000. gada 5. janvåra) Concerning the International Registration of Marks (since dalîbvalsts sañem no Starptautiskå biroja Ûenévå. January 5, 2000) by the International Office in Geneva. Pirmos trîs gadus Preçu zîmju un dizainparaugu The Department of Trademarks and Industrial noda¬a savus spékus galvenokårt koncentréja bijußås Designs devoted the first three years mostly to re- PSRS apméram 9500 preçu zîmju pårre©istråcijai. Tå registration of about 9500 trademarks of the former bija ¬oti laba skola daudzu ar preçu zîmju re©istråciju USSR. This was a good lesson in mastering the key issues saistîtu pamatjautåjumu apgüßanai, – pårre©istråcija of trademark registration. The process of re-registration palîdzéja saprast Preçu un pakalpojumu starptautiskås helped examiners better understand the basic principles klasifikåcijas (Nicas klasifikåcijas) uzbüves of the International Classification of Goods and Services pamatprincipus, ¬åva apgüt Zîmju figuratîvo elementu for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks under the starptautisko klasifikåciju (Vînes klasifikåciju), Nice Agreement (Nice Classification), let them gain some palîdzéja noformulét formålås prasîbas pret knowledge of the International Classification of the atseviß˚iem procedüras dokumentiem, kå arî güt Figurative Elements of Marks under the Vienna zinåmu pieredzi par preçu zîmju re©istråcijas Agreement (Vienna Classification), helped them lay absolütajiem atteikuma iemesliem. down the formal requirements with respect to several Ar mér˚i mazinåt nevajadzîgus pårpratumus procedural documents, and to gain certain experience attiecîbå uz pårre©istréjamo un no jauna pieteikto on absolute grounds for refusing trademark registration. preçu zîmju savstarpéjiem konfliktiem, jauno preçu

21 PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS zîmju pieteikumu izskatîßana netika uzsåkta, iekams In order to prevent any unwanted misunderstandings nebija izskatîti vairums bijußås PSRS preçu zîmju with regard to possible conflicts between the re-registered pårre©istråcijas pieteikumu un to agråkås tiesîbas trademarks of the former USSR and newly registered tra- tådéjådi nostiprinåtas LR Valsts preçu zîmju re©istrå. demarks, the examination of new trademark applications Tikai kopß 1995. gada, kad bija veikti arî was not started until most of the re-registration applica- nepiecießamie sagatavoßanås darbi saistîbå ar tions had been examined and their earlier rights were ekspertîzes kritériju izstrådi un datu båzes fixed in the State Trademarks Register of the Republic of pilnveidoßanu, preçu zîmju pieteikumu ekspertîze un Latvia. Starting with 1995, when the necessary arrange- re©istråcija notiek saskañå ar Latvijas 1993. gada ments were made to develop examination criteria and to likumå Par preçu zîmém noteikto procedüru. Lielais improve the database, the trademark examination and pårre©istréjamo zîmju skaits un ar pilnas procedüras registration was performed in compliance with the apguvi saistîtås grütîbas bija radîjußas tådu situåciju, procedures fixed by the Law on Trademarks of 1993. In ka müsu darbîbas såkotnéjå periodå zîmju the beginning the great amount of re-registered re©istråcijas gaita ievérojami atpalika no vélamå trademarks and the difficulties with mastering the full tempa. Sañemto pieteikumu izskatîßana ieilga uz procedure caused a situation where trademark daudziem méneßiem. Paßreiz ståvoklis ir ievérojami registration was lagging behind the desirable rate. Exami- uzlabojies, taçu ideåls ekspertîzes temps vél nav nation of the accepted applications was delayed by seve- panåkts. ral months. The situation has considerably improved now, Lîdzîgå secîbå – vispirms bijußås PSRS aizsar- but the ideal examination pace has not been reached yet. dzîbas dokumentu pårre©istråcija, tad ekspertîze un Examination of applications for the protection of re©istråcija saskañå ar Latvijas Republikas likumu – industrial designs went along similar lines – first re- notikusi arî dizainparaugu pieteikumu izskatîßana. registration of the former USSR designs, then exami- ˆemot vérå, ka 1993. gada likums Par preçu nation and registration of new industrial designs under zîmém saturéja daΩas nepietiekami izstrådåtas un ne the provisions of the Law on Industrial Design Protection. vienmér starptautiskajai praksei deta¬ås pilnîgi Considering that the Law on Trademarks of 1993 atbilstoßas normas, 1998. gadå tika sagatavots jauns contained some provisions that were not in full likums Par preçu zîmém un ©eogråfiskås izcelsmes compliance with the international practices, a new Law norådém, kurß ståjås spékå 1999. gada 15. jülijå. on Trademarks and Indications of Geographical Origin Lîdzîgu iemeslu dé¬ paßlaik noris darbs pie jauna was drafted in 1998 that entered into force on July 15, Dizainparaugu aizsardzîbas likuma izstrådes. 1999. For the same reason we are now working on a Ekspertîzes kritériju un pieteikumu procedüras new Law on Industrial Design Protection. pilnveidoßana ir notikusi visus ßos gadus un turpinås The filing procedure and the examination criteria have arî tagad, ñemot vérå Patentu valdes Apelåcijas been constantly improved over the years taking into padomes lémumus apelåciju lietås un visai aktîvo tiesu consideration the decisions of the Patent Office’s Board of praksi preçu zîmju jomå, kå arî izmantojot årvalstu Appeals and the extensive court practices with respect to pieredzi. Ikdienas darbs plecu pie pleca ar citu Patentu trademarks, as well as foreign experience. Daily work side valdes noda¬u speciålistiem un rüpnieciskå îpaßuma by side with colleagues from other Patent Office’s prakti˚iem – patentpilnvarotajiem un preçu zîmju departments, as well as industrial property practitioners – a©entiem – ir palîdzéjis profesionåli izaugt un patent attorneys and trademark agents – has helped the nostiprinåties noda¬as kolektîvam. Noda¬as darbinieku department’s staff improve their professional skills and profesionålås izglîtoßanas jomå lieli nopelni ir consolidate the collective. Credit for professional Zviedrijas Patentu iestådei, kuras speciålisti 1993., instruction of the department’s employees should go the 1994. un 1995. gadå dalîjås savå pieredzé gan par Swedish Patent Office, as its specialists shared their preçu un pakalpojumu klasifikåciju, gan par preçu experience in classification of goods and services and in zîmju ekspertîzes jautåjumiem. Tåpat nozîmîgi ir bijußi trademark examination in 1993, 1994 and 1995. The Eiropas Patentu iestådes vadîtås RIPP (Regional seminars organized by the European Patent Organization Intellectual Property Programme) programmas ietvaros within the framework of the RIPP (Regional Intellectual rîkotie seminåri, kå arî vizîtes Íveices, Beniluksa valstu, Property Programme) have also been very useful, just like Francijas, Austrijas, Våcijas, Lielbritånijas un visits to the Industrial Property Offices of Switzerland, the Norvé©ijas rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas Benelux countries, France, Austria, Germany, the United iestådés, kå arî pédéjos gados – Iekßéjå tirgus Kingdom and Norway, as well as – during the last few harmonizåcijas iestådé (OHIM) Alikanté, kas re©istré years – to the Office of Harmonization in the Internal Eiropas Kopienas preçu zîmes. Tå rezultåtå visi Market (OHIM) in Alicante that registers Community noda¬as ilggadîgie darbinieki ir k¬uvußi par labiem trademarks. This has helped all long-term employees of the speciålistiem rüpnieciskå îpaßuma jomå. department become good specialists of industrial property. Noda¬as darbinieki regulåri piedalîjußies Pasaules The employees of the Department of Trademarks and intelektuålå îpaßuma organizåcijas (WIPO) rîkotajås Industrial Designs have often participated in the sessions Nicas Savienîbas (Nicas nolîgums par preçu un of the Preparatory Working Group of the Nice Union pakalpojumu starptautisko klasifikåciju zîmju (Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classifi- re©istråcijai) Sagatavoßanas darba grupas sesijås, cation of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the ekspertu sanåksmés par plaßi pazîstamu preçu zîmju Registration of Marks) organized by WIPO, in the sessions aizsardzîbas harmonizåciju, darba grupas of the Committee of Experts on Well-Known Marks, in the

22 DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA meetings of the Working Group on the Modification of the sanåksmés, kas izstrådå grozîjumus starptautisko Common Regulation Under Madrid Agreement Concer- preçu zîmju re©istråcijas noteikumos, simpozijos par ning the International Registration of the Marks and the ©eogråfisko noråΩu starptautisko aizsardzîbu, Preçu Protocol Relating to the Agreement, in symposiums on the zîmju, dizainparaugu un ©eogråfisko noråΩu international protection of geographical indications, in the paståvîgås komitejas sesijås, kå arî OHIM sessions of the Standing Committee on the Law of organizétajås saziñas sanåksmés (Liaison meetings). Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications, as well as in the OHIM Liaison meetings. PREÇU ZÈMES TRADEMARKS 2000. un 2001. gads LR Patentu valdes darbîbå preçu zîmju jomå ir bijis turpinåjums jau iepriekß The Latvian Patent Office’s trademark-related iesåktajam regulåro preçu zîmju pieteikumu activities in 2000 and 2001 have continued the izskatîßanas darbam gan attiecîbå uz nacionålajå previously done work related to the examination of procedürå iesniegtajiem pieteikumiem, gan regular trademark applications (the applications filed starptautiskajåm re©istråcijåm, kas ståjußås spékå under national procedure, as well as international saskañå ar Madrides nolîgumu par zîmju starptautisko registrations under the Madrid Agreement Concerning re©istråciju un Madrides nolîguma par zîmju the International Registration of Marks and the Protocol starptautisko re©istråciju protokolu. Tå rezultåtå Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the ievérojami pieaudzis Latvijå spékå esoßo preçu zîmju International Registration of Marks). That resulted in a re©istråciju kopskaits, un 2001. gada beigås tas bija considerable increase in the number of trademark apméram 52 500 preçu zîmes. registrations that are valid in Latvia. By the end of 2001 this number had reached 52 500. Preçu zîmju re©istråcija péc nacionålås procedüras Trademark Registration 2000. gadå saskañå ar nacionålo re©istråcijas under National Procedure procedüru tika iesniegti 1962 preçu zîmju pieteikumi 1962 applications from 50 countries were received no 50 valstîm, 2001. gadå – 2027 preçu zîmju under national procedure in 2000, and 2027 applications pieteikumi no 52 valstîm. Latvijas izcelsmes pieteikumu

No kreisås: tehni˚is Justs Junkulis, galvenå eksperte Karina Kropa, Nacionålo preçu zîmju sektora vadîtåjs Normunds Lamsters, eksperte Kristîne Vi¬˚ina, galvenå eksperte Anda Briede, eksperts Jånis Ziemelis. From the left: technician Justs Junkulis, senior examiner Karina Kropa, Head of the National Trademark Sector Normunds Lamsters, examiner Kritîne Vi¬˚ina, senior examiner Anda Briede, examiner Jånis Ziemelis.

23 PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS starp 2000. gadå iesniegtajiem ir 995 jeb 50,7%, from 52 countries in 2001. 995 of the applications filed in 2001. gadå – 1062 pieteikumi jeb 52,4%. Kå 2000 were of Latvian origin, that constituted 50.7% of the redzams, pédéjos gados Latvijas izcelsmes pieteikumu total number of filings; in 2001 – it was 1062 applications skaits ir nostabilizéjies apméram 50% lîmenî no or 52.4%. During the last few years the proportion of do- nacionålås re©istråcijas procedüras kårtîbå mestic applications has been around 50% of the total iesniegtajiem pieteikumiem, kå arî apméram 14% amount of trademark applications filed under national pro- lîmenî no visiem – gan péc nacionålås procedüras, cedure, and around 14% of the total amount of filings – i.e., gan saskañå ar starptautisko re©istråciju sañemtajiem both, applications received under national procedure and preçu zîmju pieteikumiem. under the provisions governing international registration.

10. tabula. Preçu zîmju re©istråcija Latvijas Republikå péc nacionålås procedüras 2000.–2001. gadå Table 10. Trademark Registration under National Procedure 2000–2001 2000 2001 Preçu zîmju re©istråcijas pieteikumu kopskaits Trademark registration applications – total 1962 2027 No tiem Latvijas izcelsmes pieteikumi Including domestic applications 995 1062 Procentos no kopskaita % of the total 50,7% 52,4% Årvalstu izcelsmes pieteikumi Foreign applications 967 965 Procentos no kopskaita % of the total 49,3% 47,6% Re©istrétas preçu zîmes Registered trademarks 2068 1660 Spékå esoßo preçu zîmju re©istråciju skaits gada beigås Number of valid trademark registrations at the end of year 26313 27965

Årvalstu izcelsmes pieteikumu vidü lielåkais skaits jo- Among foreign applications the greatest number projåm ir no Amerikas Savienotajåm Valstîm – 2000. comes from USA – 433 (22.1%) in 2000, and 408 gadå 433 (22,1%), bet 2001. gadå – 408 (20,1%), (20.1%) in 2001, United kingdom – 71 (3.6%) and 56 Lielbritånijas – attiecîgi 71 (3,6%) un 56 (2,8%), kå arî (2.8%) respectively, and Sweden – 64 (3.3%) and 35 Zviedrijas – 64 (3,3%) un 35 (1,7%). Våcijas, Francijas, (1.7%). Applicants from Germany, France, Switzerland, Íveices, Itålijas, Beniluksa valstu un Somijas pieteicéji Italy, the Benelux countries and Finland prefer pårsvarå izmanto ßo valstu preçu zîmju îpaßniekiem daudz international trademark registration that is much more értåko iespéju – starptautisko preçu zîmju re©istråciju. convenient for trademark holders from these countries.

11. tabula. Preçu zîmju pieteikumu sadalîjums pa izcelsmes zemém 2000.–2001. gadå (aktîvåkås 15 valstis) Table 11. Breakdown of Trademark Applications by Origin in 2000–2001 (15 most active countries) 2000 DELV FR CH BX US IT SE FI AT GB ES PL RU DK Nacionålajå procedürå National procedure 45 995 18 36 40 433 – 64 46 3 71 10 14 24 16 Starptaut. procedürå International procedure 1582 – 523 505 448 – 364 145 139 149 78 106 94 84 90 Kopå Total 1627 995 541 541 488 433 364 209 185 152 149 116 108 108 106 2001 LV DECH US FR BX IT SEGB FI DK PL AT HU ES Nacionålajå procedürå National procedure 1062 56 31 408 14 53 9 35 57 31 17 6 – – 4 Starptaut. procedürå International procedure – 905 476 – 353 309 273 115 90 111 121 132 112 104 97 Kopå Total 1062 961 507 408 367 362 282 150 147 142 138 138 112 104 101

24 DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA 8. zîm. 2000. gads Fig. 8 Year 2000

Nacionålajå procedürå National procedure Starptautiskajå procedürå International procedure

9. zîm. 2001. gads Fig. 9 Year 2001

Nacionålajå procedürå National procedure Starptautiskajå procedürå International procedure

25 PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS Starptautiskås preçu zîmes International Trademarks Kopß 2000. gada 5. janvåra Latvija ir ne tikai Since January 5, 2000, Latvia has been a member Madrides nolîguma par preçu zîmju starptautisko state not only of the Madrid Agreement Concerning the re©istråciju (turpmåk – Madrides nolîgums), bet arî International Registration of Marks (the Madrid Madrides nolîguma par preçu zîmju starptautisko Agreement), but also of the Protocol Relating to the Madrid re©istråciju protokola (turpmåk – Madrides protokols) Agreement Concerning the International Registration of dalîbvalsts. Íis fakts atspogu¬ojas arî preçu zîmju Marks (the Madrid Protocol). This has influenced the pieteikumu sadalîjumå starp nacionålo un starptautisko distribution of filings under the national and the

No kreisås ståv: starptautisko preçu zîmju sektora vadîtåja Baiba Graube, eksperts Mårtiñß Zelmenis, noda¬as vadîtåja Dace Liberte, galvenå eksperte Lîga Rinka. No kreisås séΩ: galvenais eksperts–padomnieks Jånis Ancîtis, galvenå eksperte Maira Egle. Standing from the left: Head of the International Trademark Sector Baiba Graube, examiner Mårtiñß Zelmenis, Head of the Department Dace Liberte, senior examiner Lîga Rinka. Sitting from the left: senior expert–counsellor Jånis Ancîtis, senior examiner Maira Egle. procedüru – ja 1998. un 1999. gadå starptautiskås international procedure. In 1998 and 1999 the ratio of preçu zîmes sastådîja apméram 60% no kopéjå international applications was around 60% of the total pieteikumu skaita, tad 2000. un 2001. gadå – jau amount of filings, but in 2000 and 2001 it had risen to apméram 70%. Tas izskaidrojams ar to, ka Madrides around 70%. This can be accounted for by the fact that protokola dalîbvalstis ir arî, pieméram, Lielbritånija, several countries, like the United Kingdom, Sweden, Zviedrija, Somija, Dånija, Lietuva, Igaunija, arî Japåna Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia and Japan are mem- – valstis, kuras nav Madrides nolîguma dalîbnieces, un ber states of the Madrid Protocol, while not being members no ßîm valstîm pirms 2000. gada 5. janvåra preçu of the Madrid Agreement. Before January 5, 2000, zîmju pieteikumus Latvija sañéma tikai péc nacionålås trademark applications from the above mentioned procedüras. countries were only received under the national procedure.

12. tabula. Starptautisko preçu zîmju izplatîba uz Latvijas Republiku 2000. un 2001. gadå Table 12. International Trademarks Relating to the Republic of Latvia 2000–2001 2000 2001 Jaunas starptautiskås re©istråcijas New international registrations 4085 5022 Agråku starptautisko re©istråciju teritoriålie paplaßinåjumi Territorial extensions of earlier international registrations 686 674 Starptautisko zîmju kopskaits ar aizsardzîbu Latvijå International marks protected in Latvia – total 47715696

26 DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA More than two thirds of the trademark registration Tåtad vairåk kå divas treßda¬as no 2000. un 2001. applications in 2000 and 2001 are constituted by marks gada preçu zîmju re©istråcijas pieteikumiem saståda that have become valid under the provisions of the saskañå ar Madrides nolîgumu un Madrides protokolu Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. 4771 spékå ståjußås zîmes. Pavisam 2000. gadå international trademarks have gained protection in aizsardzîbu Latvijå ieguvußas 4771, bet 2001. gadå – Latvia in 2000, and 5696 in 2001 (70.9% and 73.8% of 5696 starptautiskås preçu zîmes (attiecîgi 70,9% un the total number of applications respectively). 4085 of 73,8% no kopéjå pieteikumu skaita). No ßå kopskaita them were new registrations, and 686 – territorial 2000. gadå 4085 ir jaunas re©istråcijas, bet 686 – extensions in 2000. In 2001 there were 5022 new regis- teritoriålie paplaßinåjumi. 2001. gadå attiecîgi 5022 – trations and 674 territorial extensions. The dynamics of jaunas re©istråcijas, bet 674 – teritoriålie paplaßinå- incoming international marks is still on the increase. jumi. Tåtad ienåkoßo starptautisko zîmju kopéjå skaita Just like in the previous period of review, Germany dinamika joprojåm ir ar pieaugoßu raksturu. prevails in the distribution of international trademarks by Starptautisko preçu zîmju izcelsmes dalîjumå tåpat place of origin, followed by France, Switzerland, kå iepriekßéjos gados izteikti dominé Våcija, kurai Benelux states and Italy. The above-mentioned countries seko Francija, Íveice, Beniluksa valstis un Itålija. Tåm are followed by Austria, Sweden, Finland and Spain. seko Austrija, Zviedrija, Somija un Spånija. Latvia’s trademark holders express interest in Latvijas preçu zîmju îpaßnieki apliecina interesi arî obtaining trademark protection abroad through par zîmju aizsardzîbas iegüßanu årvalstîs ar international registration. 45 international registrations starptautiskås re©istråcijas palîdzîbu. 2000. gadå of Latvian origin have entered into force in 2000, and 44 ståjußås spékå 45 starptautiskås re©istråcijas ar in 2001. Traditionally the designated countries most Latvijas izcelsmi, bet 2001. gadå – 44. Jau tradicionåli often mentioned by Latvia’s applicants in their Latvijas pieteicéju starptautiski re©istrétajås preçu international trademark registrations are the Russian zîmés kå attiecinåjuma valstis visbieΩåk norådîtas Federation, the Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Germany, Krievijas Federåcija, Ukraina, Baltkrievija, Polija un but since Latvia’s accession to the Madrid Protocol our Våcija, bet kopß Latvijas pievienoßanås Madrides neighbouring countries Lithuania and Estonia have protokolam par izteiktåm lîderém ßai ziñå k¬uvußas become the leaders in this respect. kaimiñvalstis Lietuva un Igaunija.

13. tabula. Latvijas izcelsmes starptautiski re©istrétås preçu zîmes (Madrides nolîguma un ar to saistîtå protokola ietvaros) Table 13. International Trademark Registrations of Latvian Origin (under the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol) Gads Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Re©istrétås preçu zîmes Registered trademarks 4 133127184544

10. zîm. Fig. 10

27 PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS 14. tabula. Preçu zîmju pieteikumu/re©istråciju skaits Latvijå 1992.–2001. gadå Table 14. Number of Trademark Applications/Registrations (1992–2001) 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Preçu zîmju pieteikumi Trademark applications Nacionålajå procedürå Under national procedure 5621 9194 2854 2059 1956 2480 2953 2099 1962 2027 Madrides savienîbas ietvaros Under Madrid system 2256 3660 3873 4372 3860 47715696 Kopå Total 5621 9194 2854 4315 5616 6353 7325 5959 6733 7723 Re©istrétås preçu zîmes Registered trademarks Nacionålajå procedürå Under national procedure 1819 7362 1794 4117 3689 3888 1914 2068 1660 Madrides savienîbas ietvaros Under Madrid system 2256 3660 3873 4372 3860 47715696 Kopå Total 1819 7362 4050 7777 7562 8260 5774 6839 7356

DIZAINPARAUGI INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS 69 industrial design patent applications have 2000. gadå iesniegti pavisam 69, bet 2001. gadå been filed in 2000, and 88 applications in 2001. 88 dizainparaugu patentpieteikumi. Liela da¬a no tiem Many of them are multiple applications containing ir kompleksi pieteikumi, kas satur vairåkus dizain- more than one industrial design or its variant, paraugus vai to izpildîjuma variantus, tåpéc faktiskais therefore the actual number of filed industrial designs aizsardzîbai pieteikto dizainparaugu skaits ir lielåks, is greater – 108 objects in 2000, and 220 in 2001. proti, 2000. gadå pavisam 108, bet 2001. gadå – The number of applications in 2000 remained at 220 objekti. Salîdzinot ar iepriekßéjiem gadiem, approximately the same level as in the previous redzams, ka pieteikumu skaits 2000. gadå palicis years, but in 2001 it increased. Most of the filed iepriekßéjå gada lîmenî, bet 2001. gadå nedaudz applications are of Latvian origin – 38 (55.1%) in pieaudzis. No iesniegtajiem pieteikumiem vairums ir 2000, and 55 (62.5%) in 2001. The proportion of Latvijas izcelsmes – 2000. gadå 38 (55,1%), bet 2001. domestic applications in the total number of gadå – 55 (62,5%). Latvijas izcelsmes pieteikumu applications was slightly smaller in 2000 as îpatsvars kopéjå pieteikumu skaitå 2000. gadå ir bijis compared with previous years, but in 2001 it mazåks, nekå iepriekß, bet 2001. gadå atkal ir nosta- stabilized at the same level as in the previous years. bilizéjies iepriekßéjo gadu lîmenî.

15. tabula. Dizainparaugu aizsardzîba Latvijas Republikå 2000. un 2001. gadå Table 15. Protection of Industrial Designs in Latvia 2000–2001 2000 2001 Dizainparaugu patentpieteikumu kopskaits Design applications – total 69 88 No tiem – Latvijas izcelsmes pieteikumi Including domestic applications 38 55 Procentos no kopskaita % of the total 55,1% 62,5% Årvalstu izcelsmes pieteikumi Foreign applications 3133 Procentos no kopskaita % of the total 44,9% 37,5% Izsniegtie dizainparaugu patenti Granted design patents 65 70 Spékå esoßo dizainparaugu patentu skaits gada beigås* Number of valid design patents at the end of year* 503 488 * Spékå esoßo dizainparaugu kopskaitå ietverti arî 1992.–1995. g. pårre©istrétie dizainparaugi * Including re-registered designs of 1992–1995

28 DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA The thematic range of applications is quite diverse. Pieteikumu tematiskais loks ir visai daudzveidîgs, Applications for protection of very different objects have aizsardzîbai pieteikti ¬oti daΩådi objekti, gan telpiski been filed, both – three-dimensional (models) and two- (mode¬i), gan plakani (zîméjumi). Tåpat kå iepriekß, arî dimensional (drawings). Like in the previous period of uz 2000. un 2001. gadå pieteiktajiem review, the industrial designs filed in 2000–2001 have dizainparaugiem, protams, lielu iespaidu atståj been influenced by the present situation in Latvia’s paßreizéjais Latvijas rüpniecîbas ståvoklis. Pieteikts industry. There are many applications related to samples daudz pårtikas produktu iesaiñojumu paraugu, of packaging for foodstuffs, bottles, flasks, containers, as pude¬u, flakonu, tvertñu, tirdzniecîbas un izståΩu well as stands and glass-cases for trade and exhibitions. stendu un vitrînu. Daudz arî mébe¬u, it îpaßi kréslu, to Many applications refer to furniture, especially, chairs, skaitå krésls–trepes un saliekams sédeklis. Pieteiktas including a ladder-chair and a collapsible seat, as well biroja mébeles, kompaktdisku statîvs, plaukti, as office furniture, a CD-holder, shelves, bathroom vannasistabas priekßmeti, durvju rokturi un kåpñu accessories, door handles and stair balusters. There are margu stabiñi. Pieteikti arî trauki, koka rota¬lietas, also applications for the protection of tableware, wooden intelektuålas spéles, elektriskais rokas åmurs, toys, intellectual games, an electric hand hammer, base dzelzsbetona gulßñu amortizåcijas starplika, talåri, plate pads for concrete railway sleepers, gowns, kiosks, kioski, katamaråns, kurinåmais (ugunsblu˚îtis) un a catamaran, firewood (a fire log) and hunting bullets. medîbu lodes. Among Latvia’s applicants who have filed a conside- No Latvijas pieteicéjiem, kuri 2000. un 2001. gadå rable number of industrial design applications during iesniegußi lielåku skaitu dizainparaugu pieteikumu, var 2000 and 2001, we should mention the designers nosaukt dizainerus Albertu ZEILI, Jåni RUBÈNU, Laumu Alberts ZEILIS, Jånis RUBÈNS, Lauma POGA, Sergejs POGU, Sergeju GOLUBEVU un Juriju RUZINU, GOLUBEVS and Jurijs RUZINS, as well as several com- uzñémumus SIA ‘CONFIDENTIAL DESIGNS’, SIA panies – LLC ‘CONFIDENTIAL DESIGNS’, LLC ‘SENATUS GRUPA’, SIA ‘LAZDAS M‰BELES’ un ‘SENATUS GRUPA’, LLC ‘LAZDAS M‰BELES’ and the Liepåjas SEZ SIA ‘ERKE’. Årvalstu pieteicéju sarakstå Liepåja special economic zone LLC ‘ERKE’. Among for- ar vairåkiem, kå arî kompleksiem pieteikumiem eign applicants who have filed more than one applica- atzîméjami uzñémumi ‘HENKEL KGaA’, ‘STREET ONE tion or multiple applications we should point out GmbH’, ‘DURAVIT AG’ un ‘STARZ’, ZAO. ‘HENKEL KGaA’, ‘STREET ONE GmbH’, ‘DURAVIT AG’ 2000. gadå Latvijå izdoti 65, bet 2001. gadå – 70 and ‘STARZ’ ZAO. dizainparaugu patenti. Protams, ßo izsniegto 65 industrial design patents have been granted in dizainparaugu patentu skaits ir atkarîgs no dizain- 2000, and 70 patents in 2001. The number of granted paraugu pieteikumu skaita. 2001. gada beigås spékå patents depends on the number of filings, of course. Alto- bija pavisam 488 dizainparaugu patenti. Kå pozitîvu gether 488 industrial design patents were in force at the tendenci dizainparaugu aizsardzîbas jomå var atzîmét end of 2001. We might point out a positive tendency in to, ka, beidzoties dizainparaugu patentu darbîbas the sphere of industrial designs – by the end of the first pirmajam piecu gadu termiñam, zinåma da¬a five-year period of industrial design protection, some dizainparaugu patentu îpaßnieku izråda interesi par holders of industrial design patents have shown interest ßo patentu darbîbas termiñu pagarinåßanu. No 113 in renewal of their patents. Out of the 113 industrial de- dizainparaugu patentiem, kuri izsniegti uz 1995. sign patents, that were granted on the grounds of appli- gadå pieteiktajiem dizainparaugiem, pagarinåti ir 23, cations filed in 1995, 23 have been renewed, and out of bet no 76 dizainparaugu patentiem, kuri izsniegti uz the 76 industrial design patents granted on the grounds 1996. gadå pieteiktajiem dizainparaugiem, paga- of applications filed in 1996, 19 have been renewed. rinåti 19.

16. tabula. Dizainparaugu pieteikumu/re©istråciju skaits Latvijå (1992.–2001. g.) Table 16. Number of Industrial Design Applications/Registrations in Latvia (1992–2001) 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Dizainparaugu pieteikumi Design applications Kopskaits Total 70 90 52 123 95 116 106 69 69 88 Latvijas izcelsmes Domestic 45 50 40 105 62 83 82 43 38 55 Izsniegtie dizainparaugu patenti Granted design patents Kopskaits Total – 52 16 101 137 96 100 53 65 70 Latvijas izcelsmes Domestic – 26 10 67 109 50 73 37 36 48

29 PREÇU ZÈMJU UN DIZAINPARAUGU NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF TRADEMARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS 11. zîm. Dizainparaugu pieteikumi Fig. 11 Design Applications

Kopskaits Total Latvijas izcelsmes Domestic

12. zîm. Izsniegtie dizainparaugu patenti Fig. 12 Granted Design Patents

Kopskaits Total Latvijas izcelsmes Domestic

30 DEPARTMENT OF STATE REGISTERS AND DOCUMENTATION VALSTS REÌISTRU UN DOKUMENTÅCIJAS NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF STATE VALSTS REÌISTRU REGISTERS AND UN DOKUMENTÅCIJAS DOCUMENTATION NODAÒA The specialists of the Department of State Registers Valsts re©istru un dokumentåcijas noda¬as and Documentation take care of applications from their speciålisti rüpéjas par pieteikumu no tå sañemßanas filing until examination, and deal with almost all the brîΩa lîdz ekspertîzei un kårto gandrîz visu, kas notiek formalities after examination. ar pieteikumu péc ekspertîzes. Since the second year of Patent Office’s functioning Såkot ar Patentu valdes otro darbîbas gadu, the staff of the Department had been constant – 5 noda¬as darbinieku skaits ir bijis nemainîgs – pieci employees. During this period the number of industrial speciålisti. Íajå laikå noda¬as pårziñå esoßo rüpnie- property objects within the Department’s competence has ciskå îpaßuma objektu skaits ir pieaudzis no 2226 risen from 2226 objects at the end of 1993 to 32 813 objektiem 1993. gada beigås lîdz 32 813 objektiem, objects at the end of 2001. The number of changes noslédzot 2001. gadu. Re©istros iek¬auto grozîjumu entered into registers in 2001 as compared to 1993 has skaits 2001. gadå, salîdzinot to ar attiecîgo skaitu increased 194 times. Therefore the number of employees 1993. gadå, ir palielinåjies 194 reizes. Tådé¬ kopß has increased to 6 as from the end of 2001. Two of them 2001. gada beigåm noda¬å strådå seßi speciålisti, pie are engaged in receiving applications and four – in kam divi no viñiem specializéjas pieteikumu pieñem- maintaining the State Registers and taking care of the ßanå, bet çetri kårto Valsts re©istrus un pårrauga constantly growing collection of patents and registrations. arvien pieaugoßo patentu un re©istråciju lietu fondu. The specialists of the receiving group consult the Pieteikumu pieñemßanas grupas speciålisti applicants, receive and carry out the preliminary exami- konsulté pieteicéjus, sañem un izvérté pieteikumu nation of the applications and enter the application data materiålus, datus par pieteikumu iek¬auj into the automated database. The number of filed appli- automatizétajå datu båzé. Pédéjos gados pieteikumu cations has been fairly stable during the last few years. skaits ir nostabilizéjies. Tå 2000. un 2001. gadå In 2000 and in 2001 it has been 2209 and 2295 res- sañemto pieteikumu skaits bija attiecîgi 2209 un pectively. During the period from the beginning of the 2295. No Patentu valdes darbîbas såkuma lîdz Patent Office’s functioning till January 1, 2002, 38 375 2002. gada 1. janvårim sañemti 38 375 pieteikumi applications have been received (see Table 17). (skat. 17. tabulu).

No kreisås séΩ: eksperte Iréna Kalniña, noda¬as vadîtåja Dr. Måra Strautzele, eksperte Asja Dißlere. No kreisås ståv: galvenå eksperte Inåra Brasliña, eksperte Regîna Voiteka – Raginska, galvenå eksperte Dace Geidåne. Sitting from the left: examiner Iréna Kalniña, Head of the Department Dr. Måra Strautzele, examiner Asja Dißlere. Standing from the left: senior examiner Inåra Brasliña, examiner Regîna Voiteka – Raginska, senior examiner Dace Geidåne.

31 VALSTS REÌISTRU UN DOKUMENTÅCIJAS NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF STATE REGISTERS AND DOCUMENTATION 17. tabula. Noda¬as darba apjoms 2000. un 2001. gadå un kopå 1992.–2001. gadå Table 17. The Department’s work in 2000 and 2001 and total 1992–2001 Pieteikumu re©istros iek¬auti Entries in the Registers of Applications 2000 2001 1992–2001 Izgudrojumu pieteikumi Applications for inventions 178 180 4292 Dizainpatentu pieteikumi Applications for industrial designs 69 88 878 Preçu zîmju re©istråciju pieteikumi Trademark applications 1962 2027 33205 Kopå pieteikumi Applications – total 2209 2295 38375 Valsts re©istros iek¬auti Entries in the State Registers 2000 2001 1992–2001 Izgudrojumi Inventions 163 181 3775 Dizainparaugi Industrial designs 65 70 690 Preçu zîmju re©istråcijas Trademark registrations 2068 1660 28348 Kopå objekti Objects – total 2296 1911 32813 Re©istréti licençu lîgumi Registered Licence Agreements 2000 2001 1992–2001 Izgudrojumu Of inventions 20 25 100 Dizainparaugu 116 Of industrial designs Preçu zîmju Of trademarks 1919114 Dizainparaugu + preçu zîmju Of industrial designs and trademarks 4211 Kopå Total 44 47 231 Re©istréti Registered 2000 2001 1992–2001 Ìenerålpilnvaras General powers of attorney 636 646 4338 Patentpilnvarotie Patent attorneys –338 Re©istru ziñås iek¬auti grozîjumi Changes of Register entries 2000 2001 1992–2001 Izgudrojumu re©istrå In the Register of Inventions 533 411 2435 Dizainparaugu re©istrå In the Register of Industrial Designs 83 205 456 Preçu zîmju re©istrå In the Register of Trademarks 1515 1904 8191 Kopå ieraksti Entries – total 2131 2520 11082

32 DEPARTMENT OF STATE REGISTERS AND DOCUMENTATION VALSTS REÌISTRU UN DOKUMENTÅCIJAS NODAÒA The group of registrars maintains four State Registers, Re©istru grupa veido un kårto çetrus Valsts records information on inventions, industrial designs, re©istrus, iek¬aujot tajos ziñas par izgudrojumiem, topographies of semiconductor products and trademark dizainparaugiem, pusvadîtåju izstrådåjumu registrations, as well as any changes with respect to topogråfijåm un preçu zîmju re©istråcijåm, kå arî these objects or their owners. The group specialists ziñas par jebkuriem pie¬aujamiem grozîjumiem, kas control the terms of validity, maintenance and renewal of attiecas uz ßiem objektiem un to îpaßniekiem. Grupas patents and registrations. darbinieki pårrauga patentu un re©istråciju darbîbas The Department’s employees maintain several other termiñus, to spékå uzturéßanu un atjaunoßanu. registers, in particular four registers of applications: Noda¬as darbinieki veido un kårto arî vairåkus Applications for Inventions (since 04.02.1992), citus re©istrus, proti çetrus pieteikumu re©istrus: izgud- Industrial Design Patent Applications (since rojumu patentpieteikumu (no 04.02.1992), dizain- 06.05.1992), Applications for Registration of patentu pieteikumu (no 06.05.1992), pusvadîtåju Semiconductor Topographies (since 06.04.2001) and izstrådåjumu topogråfiju re©istråcijas pie teikumu (no Trademark Applications (since 12.02.1992), as well as 06.04.2001) un preçu zîmju re©istråcijas pieteikumu the Register of License Agreements (since 13.05.1994), re©istru (no 12.02.1992), kå arî licençu lîgumu the Register of Professional Patent Attorneys (since re©istru (no 13.05.1994), profesionålo patentpiln- 19.07.1993), the Register of General Powers of Attorney varoto re©istru (no 19.07.1993), ©enerålpilnvaru (since 24.11.1994) and the Register of Special Powers of re©istru (no 24.11.1994) un speciålpilnvaru re©istru Attorney (since 28.12.1994). (no 28.12.1994).

18. tabula. DaΩi dati par Valsts re©istriem 2002. gada 1. janvårî Table 18. Information on State Registers as of January 1, 2002 Re©istra nosaukums Pirmå ieraksta Re©istrå iek¬auto Spékå esoßo patentu datums objektu skaits un re©istråciju skaits Name of Register Date Number of objects Number of valid patents of first entry in the Register and registrations Izgudrojumu Valsts re©istrs State Register of Inventions 10.06.1993 3775 1947 Valsts dizainparaugu re©istrs State Register of Industrial Designs 30.08.1993 690 488 Pusvadîtåju izstrådåjumu topogråfiju Valsts re©istrs State Register of Semiconductor Topographies 20.08.20011 1 Valsts preçu zîmju re©istrs State Register of Trademarks 08.07.1993 28348 27965

The group of registrars prepares and issues industrial Re©istru grupa sagatavo un izsniedz rüpnieciskå property protection documents. In 2000 and 2001 the îpaßuma aizsardzîbas dokumentus. Tå 2000. un number of issued documents was 2296 and 1911 2001. gadå Patentu valdes izsniegto aizsardzîbas respectively (see Table 17). dokumentu skaits bija attiecîgi 2296 un 1911 (skat. The Department’s employees complete the files of 17. tabulu). applications and granted patents and registrations, as Noda¬as darbinieku pårziñå ir pieteikumu lietu, kå well as keep and update their collections. There are 38 arî patentu un re©istråciju lietu komplektéßana, to

19. tabula. Valsts re©istros iek¬auto 2002. gada 1. janvårî spékå esoßo rüpnieciskå îpaßuma objektu skaits Table 19. Valid industrial property objects entered into the Registers as of January 1, 2002 Izgudrojumu patenti Patents of inventions 1947 t. sk. patenti, kas izsniegti saskañå ar including patents granted under LR nacionålo procedüru the national procedure 1505 attiecinåtie Eiropas patenti extended European patents 442 Dizainparaugu patenti Patents of industrial designs 488 Preçu zîmju re©istråcijas Trademark registrations 27965 Kopå objekti Objects – total 30400

33 VALSTS REÌISTRU UN DOKUMENTÅCIJAS NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF STATE REGISTERS AND DOCUMENTATION fondu veidoßana un kårtoßana. Tås ir 38 375 375 files of applications, 32 813 of these objects have pieteikumu lietas, no kuråm Re©istros iek¬auti 32 813 been entered into the Registers (see Table 17) and 30 objekti (skat. 17. tabulu); no tiem, savukårt, 2002. 400 of the patents and registrations were valid as of gada 1. janvårî spékå esoßi ir 30 400 patenti un January 1, 2002. re©istråcijas. The Department’s employees participate in drafting Noda¬as darbinieki turpina piedalîties noteikumu, of regulations, instructions and methodological manuals, izskaidrojumu un metodisko materiålu projektu consult applicants, furnish information concerning izstrådåßanå, konsultét pieteicéjus, sniegt informåciju applications and entries in the registers, prepare and par pieteikumiem un re©istru ierakstiem, gatavot un issue extracts from the registers, duplicates and copies of izsniegt Re©istru ziñu izrakstus, dokumentu dublikåtus documents. un kopijas.

34 DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND EDITORSHIP INFORMÅCIJAS UN REDAKCIJAS NODAÒA DEPARTMENT FOR INFORMÅCIJAS INFORMATION UN REDAKCIJAS AND EDITORSHIP NODAÒA The department dates back to the end of 1993 when 1993. gada beigås tika izveidots Informåcijas un the Section for Information and Editorship was formed. redakcijas sektors, kura galvenais uzdevums bija Its main task was to publish the official gazette of the Patentu valdes oficiålå izdevuma (Ωurnåla) “Patenti un Patent Office “Patenti un preçu zîmes”. As the scope and preçu zîmes” izdoßana. Pieaugot Patentu valdes darba variety of the Patent Office’s work was constantly grow- apjomam un daudzveidîbai ar 1995. gada janvåri ing the Section was transformed into the Department for sektoru pårveidoja par Informåcijas un redakcijas Information and Editorship in January 1995. noda¬u.

The main tasks of the Department are: Noda¬as darbinieku galvenajos pienåkumos – to organize the publication of the ietilpst: above-mentioned gazette; – jau pieminétå Patentu valdes oficiålå Ωurnåla izdoßanas organizéßana; – to prepare for publication the texts of laws, regulations, methodological aids and the Patent – likumu, nolikumu, metodolo©isko materiålu Office’s reports; un Patentu valdes pårskatu sagatavoßana iespießanai; – to organize conferences, seminars and meetings and to copy materials for these – konferençu, seminåru un sanåksmju purposes, etc. organizåcija un to materiålu pavairoßana u.c.

The Department’s employees prepare the Noda¬å tiek sagatavota Ωurnåla informatîvå informative chapter of the gazette, proofread the sada¬a, noda¬ås iespießanai sagatavotå materiåla material prepared by other departments and organize korektüra un iespießanas organizéßana, sarakste ar printing of the gazette, as well as correspond with the abonentiem un Ωurnålu apmaiñas organizéßana ar citu

No kreisås: galvenais eksperts Dr. Uldis Ímits, noda¬as vadîtåjs Dr. Modris Geidåns, galvenå eksperte Renåte Låce. From the left: senior examiner Dr. Uldis Ímits, Head of the Department Dr. Modris Geidåns, senior examiner Renåte Låce.

35 INFORMÅCIJAS UN REDAKCIJAS NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND EDITORSHIP valstu Patentu iestådém. Kopß 1993. gada jünija lîdz subscribers and organize the exchange of official ßim laikam iznåkußi 85 izdevuma “Patenti un preçu publications with foreign Patent Offices. Since June 1993 zîmes” numuri, sniedzot informåciju par pieteiktajiem 85 issues of “Patenti un preçu zîmes” have been izgudrojumiem, preçu zîmém un dizainparaugiem. published containing information on inventions, Noda¬as darbinieki piedalîjußies pie visu trademarks and industrial designs. rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas likumu, kas attiecas The Department’s employees have participated in the uz Patentu valdes darbîbas jomu, redi©éßanas, work related to industrial property laws that fall in the tulkoßanas, tehniskås noforméßanas vai iespießanas Patent Office’s field of work by editing, translating and organizéßanas. formatting the texts or organizing the printing of the Íajos gados noda¬å izveidoti, noforméti un laws. sagatavoti iespießanai pieci divgadu cikla pårskati par During these years the Department has created, Patentu valdes darbîbas rezultåtiem un îsi statistisko formatted and prepared for publication five bi-annual datu izdevumi Fakti un skait¬i par 1998. un 2000. reports on the results of the Patent Office’s work, as well gadu. Òoti liels darbs ieguldîts starptautisku konferençu, as booklets of statistical data “Fakti un skait¬i” for the seminåru un metodisko sanåksmju organizéßanå Rîgå. years of 1998 and 2000. Lots of work has been done Noda¬å sagatavota ekspozîcija Latvijas Patentu valdes over the years to organize international conferences, stendam Ceturtajå Eiropas kongreså par patentiem seminars and methodological workshops in Riga. The Vîné, Patinnova ‘97, kå arî eksponéti materiåli Department has also prepared the Patent Office’s Lisabonå 1998. gadå Pasaules izstådé EXPO ‘98. exposition for the Fourth European Patent Congress in Vienna – Patinnova’97, and for the World exposition EXPO’98 in Lisbon.

36 DEPARTMENT OF AUTOMATION AND COMPUTER NETWORKING AUTOMATIZÅCIJAS UN DATRORTÈKLA NODAÒA DEPARTMENT OF AUTOMATIZÅCIJAS AUTOMATION AND UN DATORTÈKLA NODAÒA COMPUTER NETWORKING Pirms 10 gadiem, Patentu valdes darbîbas såkumå, viens no pamatuzdevumiem bija izveidot müsdienîgu Ten years ago, when the Patent Office started func- datorizétu darba vidi, datu båzi un pieteikumu tioning, one of the basic tasks was to create a modern com- apstrådes sistému. Lielå mérå tas bija iespéjams, puterized working environment, a database and a system pateicoties årvalstu patentu ieståΩu palîdzîbai un for processing applications. This work was greatly faci- Latvijas datorspeciålistu zinåßanåm. litated by the assistance received from foreign patent offi- Patentu valdes datu båzes pamatu izveidoja Latvijas ces and by the competence of Latvia’s computer specialists. Universitåtes Zinåtniskås bibliotékas informåcijas The foundation of the Patent Office’s database was laid tehnolo©iju speciålisti. Ío 10 gadu laikå informåcijas by the IT specialists of the Latvia University Scientific Library. sistému “apaudzéja” ar daΩådåm papildfunkcijåm. Various subsidiary functions were added to the information Paßlaik Patentu valde spéj datorizétå reΩîmå pilnîbå system during these 10 years. The whole Patent Office’s wor- nodroßinåt savu darba ciklu, såkot no pieteikuma king cycle – from receiving an application to the final pub- sañemßanas lîdz pilnîgai publikåcijas sagatavoßanai lication in the official bulletin “Patenti un preçu zîmes” – has Ωurnålam “Patenti un preçu zîmes”. Patentu valdé been fully computerized. All work places have been equipped datorizétas visas darba vietas, izveidots iekßéjais tîkls, with computers, a local network has been set up, and the eksperti savå darbå plaßi izmanto Internetu. experts use Internet extensively in their everyday work. Nåkotnes uzdevumi saistås ar Patentu valdes datu Our task for the future is to develop public functions of the båΩu publisko funkciju izveidoßanu, kas padarîtu Patent Office’s databases that would make these databases publiski pieejamas ßîs datu båzes, kå tas ir vairåkumå publicly accessible like in most other countries. On interna- valstu. Tuvåkajos gados starptautiskå mérogå mums tional scale within the next few years we shall have to join the büs jåiesaistås Pasaules Intelektuålå îpaßuma WIPONET created by the World Intellectual Property Orga- organizåcijas veidotå WIPONET tîklå, kas paredz nization that provides for electronic filing and processing of elektronisku pieteikumu iesniegßanu un apstrådi, kå applications. Accession to the European Patent Convention arî, pievienojoties Eiropas Patentu konvencijai, büs sets forth another task – we shall have to incorporate our pa- jåiesaista müsu patentu datu båze kopéjå Eiropas tent database into the European Patent Organization’s data- Patentu organizåcijas patentu datu båzé ESP@cenet. base ESP@cenet. A pre-requisite for successful accomplish- Sekmîgai ßo uzdevumu izpildei obligåts nosacîjums ir ment of the above-mentioned tasks is additional financing. papildus finanséjums.

No kreisås: galvenais eksperts Andis Bérziñß, eksperte Alda Rankevica, noda¬as vadîtåjs Uldis Iesalnieks. From the left: senior examiner Andis Bérziñß, examiner Alda Rankevica, Head of the department Uldis Iesalnieks.

37 HRONOLOÌIJA CHRONOLOGY HRONOLOÌIJA CHRONOLOGY 1991 1991 26. novembris November 26 Latvijas Republikas Augståkås Padomes lémums Decision of the Supreme Council of the Republic of “Par Latvijas Republikas Patentu valdes atjaunoßanu” Latvia “On the Re-establishment of the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia” 1992 30.–31. janvåris 1992 Pasaules Intelektuålå îpaßuma organizåcijå January 30–31 (WIPO), Ûenévå, izskata Skandinåvijas valstu Patentu The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ieståΩu iespéju palîdzét jaunizveidotajåm Baltijas considers the possibility of Scandinavian Patent Offices to valstu Patentu iestådém help the newly established Patent Offices of the Baltic States 4. februåris February 4 Iesniegts pirmais patenta pieteikums izgudrojuma The first patent application is filed by a national aizsardzîbai no nacionålå pieteicéja applicant 12. februåris February 12 Iesniegts pirmais preçu zîmes re©istråcijas The first application for trademark registration is filed pieteikums no nacionålå pieteicéja by a national applicant 19. februåris February 19 LR MP lémums Nr. 55 “Par Latvijas Republikas Decision No. 55 of the Council of Ministers of the Patentu valdes dibinåßanu” Republic of Latvia “On the Establishment of the Patent 28. februåris Office of the Republic of Latvia” LR MP lémums Nr.72 “Par izgudrojumu, February 28 rüpniecisko paraugu un preçu zîmju aizsardzîbas Decision No. 72 of the Council of Ministers of the pagaidu kårtîbu Latvijas Republikå” Republic of Latvia “On the Provisional Procedure for the 2. marts Protection of Inventions, Industrial Designs and Tieslietu ministrija apstiprina par Patentu valdes Trademarks in the Republic of Latvia” direktoru Z. Aumeisteru un direktora vietnieku – March 2 G. Po¬akovu. Patentu valde uzsåk savu darbîbu The Ministry of Justice appoints Mr. Z. Aumeisters as Ekonomikas ministrijas telpås Director of the Patent Office, and Mr. G. Poliakov as 19. marts Deputy Director. The Patent Office starts to function on Iesniegts pirmais patenta pieteikums izgudrojuma the premises of the Ministry of Economics aizsardzîbai no årvalsts pieteicéja March 19 27. marts The first patent application is filed by a foreign Iesniegts pirmais preçu zîmes re©istråcijas applicant pieteikums no årvalsts pieteicéja March 27 aprîlis–maijs The first application for trademark registration is filed Patentu valdi apmeklé Zviedrijas Patentu un by a foreign applicant re©istråcijas iestådes un Eiropas Patentu iestådes April – May delegåcijas. Pårrunu temats – årvalstu palîdzîba The Patent Office is visited by Swedish Patent and Latvijas Patentu valdei Registration Office’s delegation and the European Patent 15. maijs Office’s delegation. Theme of the discussion – foreign Apstiprinåti “Pagaidu noteikumi pieteikumu assistance to the Patent Office of Latvia iesniegßanai un izskatîßanai Latvijas Republikas May 15 Patentu valdé” “Provisional Rules for Filing and Examination of 28. maijs Applications in the Patent Office of the Republic of LR MP lémums Nr. 194 “Par maksu par Patentu Latvia” are confirmed valdes pakalpojumiem” May 28 5. jünijs Decision No. 194 of the Council of Ministers of the Patentu valdé apstiprinåts “Nolikums par Republic of Latvia “On the Fees for Patent Office’s profesionålu pårståvîbu Latvijas Republikas Patentu Services” valdé” June 5 27. jünijs The Patent Office confirms “Regulations on Patentu valde izvietojas Latvijas Zinåtñu Professional Representation before the Patent Office of Akadémijas prezidija ékå the Republic of Latvia”

38 HRONOLOÌIJA CHRONOLOGY June 27 The Patent Office moves to the building of the 1993 Presidium of Latvian Academy of Science 26. janvåris Parakstîts un ståjas spékå Nolîgums par sadarbîbu 1993 starp Zviedrijas Patentu un re©istråcijas iestådi un Latvijas Patentu valdi January 26 19. februåris Cooperation Agreement between Swedish Patent LR MP lémums Nr. 84 “Par Latvijas Republikas and Registration Office and Latvian Patent Office is Patentu valdes finanséßanu” signed and enters into force 31. marts February 19 Ståjas spékå Latvijas Republikas Patentu likums Decision No. 84 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia “On the Financing of the Patent Office 7. aprîlis of the Republic of Latvia” Ståjas spékå Latvijas Republikas Likums par preçu zîmém un Dizainparaugu aizsardzîbas likums March 31 Republic of Latvia Patent Law enters into force 4. jünijs LR MP iece¬ par Latvijas Republikas Patentu valdes April 7 direktoru Z. Aumeisteru un par direktora vietnieku – Republic of Latvia Law on Trademarks and Republic G. Po¬akovu of Latvia Law on Industrial Design Protection enter into force 10. jünijs Iznåk LR Patentu valdes oficiålå véstneßa “Patenti June 4 un preçu zîmes” pirmais numurs The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia appoints Mr. Z. Aumeisters to the post of Director of the 8.–9. jülijs Patent Office and Mr. G. Poliakov to the post of Deputy Notiek pirmå ateståcija personåm, kas izteikußas Director véléßanos k¬üt par oficiålajiem profesionålajiem patentpilnvarotajiem June 10 The first issue of the Official bulletin of the Patent 25. oktobris Office of the Republic of Latvia “Patenti un preçu zîmes” Patentu valde uzsåk darbu ékå Citadeles ielå 7/70 is published July 8–9 1994 The first certification of persons willing to become 5. augusts official professional patent representatives is carried out Iesniegts pirmais Starptautiskais patentpieteikums October 25 20. oktobris Patent Office moves to its new premises in 7/70 Izsniegts pirmais Latvijas Republikas patents Citadeles Street izgudrojuma aizsardzîbai 1994 1995 August 5 20. aprîlis The first International patent application is filed Ståjas spékå Latvijas Republikas Patentu likums October 20 (izñemot V noda¬u) The first Republic of Latvia patent for invention is 1. maijs granted Ståjas spékå Latvijas Republikas Patentu likuma V noda¬a “Èpaßi noteikumi Eiropas patenta 1995 attiecinåßanai uz Latvijas Republiku” April 20 30. maijs The Republic of Latvia Patent Law (with the exception Izsniegta pirmå Latvijas Republikas re©istråcijas of Chapter V) enters into force apliecîba par preçu zîmes aizsardzîbu un pirmais Latvijas Republikas patents dizainparauga May 1 aizsardzîbai Chapter V of the Republic of Latvia Patent Law “Special Provisions concerning the extension of 16. jünijs European Patents to the Republic of Latvia” enters into Notiek pirmå Apelåcijas padomes séde force May 30 1996 The first Republic of Latvia trademark registration 16.–17. jünijs certificate and the first Republic of Latvia patent for Jürmalå notiek Eiropas Patentu organizåcijas industrial design is issued Rüpnieciskå îpaßuma re©ionålås programmas (RIPP) June 16 Koordinåcijas padomes sanåksme

39 HRONOLOÌIJA CHRONOLOGY 1998 The first sitting of the Board of Appeal 30. aprîlis 1996 Ståjas spékå Pusvadîtåju izstrådåjumu topogråfiju aizsardzîbas likums June 16–17 The European Patent Organization’s Regional Industrial Property Programme (RIPP) Coordination 1999 meeting is held in Jürmala 15. jülijs Ståjas spékå Likums par preçu zîmém un 1998 ©eogråfiskås izcelsmes norådém April 30 The Law on Protection of Topographies of 2001 Semiconductor Products enters into force 26. jünijs Eiropas Patentu organizåcijas Administratîvås 1999 padomes 85. sesijå Latvijas Republika sañem uzaicinåjumu ar 2002. gada 1. jüliju k¬üt par Eiropas July 15 Patentu organizåcijas pilntiesîgu dalîbvalsti Law on Trademarks and Indications of Geographical Origin enters into force 28. jülijs Ståjas spékå Kårtîba par muitas kontroles pasåkumiem intelektuålå îpaßuma aizsardzîbai 2001 24. septembris July 26 th Patentu valdes direktors Z. Aumeisters uz 2 ga- At the 85 meeting of the Administrative Council of diem tiek ievéléts par Pasaules Intelektuålå îpaßuma the European Patent Organization the Republic of organizåcijas Ìenerålås Asamblejas Viceprezidentu. Latvia is formally invited to become a full-fledged member state of the European Patent Organization as from July 1, 2002 July 28 The Order of Customs Control Measures on Intellectual Property Protection enter into force September 24 Mr. Z. Aumeisters is elected as vice chairman of the World Intellectual Property Organization General Assemblies for two years

40 CHRONOLOGY HRONOLOÌIJA Conventions and Agreements Konvencijas un lîgumi 1993 1993 21. janvåris January 21 Latvijas Republika pievienojas Konvencijai par The Republic of Latvia accedes to The Convention Pasaules Intelektuålå îpaßuma organizåcijas (WIPO) Establishing the World Intellectual Property nodibinåßanu Organization (WIPO) 7. septembris September 7 Latvijas Republika atjauno savu lîdzdalîbu Parîzes The Republic of Latvia renews its membership in the Konvencijå rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbai kå arî Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial pievienojas Patentu kooperåcijas lîgumam (PCT) Property and accedes to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) 1994 1994 25. janvåris Latvijas Republika k¬üst par Eiropas Patentu January 25 organizåcijas asociatîvo locekli The Republic of Latvia becomes associated member of the European Patent Organization 29. decembris Latvijas Republika pievienojas Budapeßtas December 29 Nolîgumam par mikroorganismu depozîtu The Republic of Latvia accedes to the Budapest starptautisko atzîßanu patentu procedürai Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Micro-organisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedures 1995 1995 1. janvåris Latvijas Republika pievienojas Madrides January 1 nolîgumam par zîmju starptautisko re©istråciju un The Republic of Latvia accedes to the Madrid Nicas nolîgumam par preçu un pakalpojumu Agreement Concerning the International Registration of starptautisko klasifikåciju zîmju re©istråcijai Marks and to the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for 20. janvåris the Purposes of the Registration of Marks Ståjas spékå Lîgums starp Latvijas Republiku un ASV par tirdznieciskajåm attiecîbåm un intelektuålå January 20 îpaßuma tiesîbu aizsardzîbu The Agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the USA on Trade Relations and Intellectual Property Rights Protection enters into force 2000 5. janvåris 2000 LR pievienojas Ar Madrides nolîgumu par zîmju starptautisko re©istråciju saistîtajam Protokolam January 5 The Republic of Latvia accedes to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks

41 FINANSIÅLÅ DARBÈBA FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FINANSIÅLÅ DARBÈBA FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

20. tabula. Patentu valdes ieñémumi 2000.–2001. gadå Table 20. Patent Office’s Income 2000–2001 tükst. Ls thousands LVL 2000 2001 Ieñémumi Income Rüpnieciskå îpaßuma aizsardzîbas valsts nodevas State fees for legal protection of industrial property 562,1589,1 Maksas pakalpojumi un citi paßu ieñémumi Paid services and other earnings 35,4 33,2 Kopå Total 597,5 622,3 Resursi Patentu valdes darbîbas nodroßinåßanai Resources for ensuring Patent Office’s functioning Dotåcijas no vispåréjiem ieñémumiem Grants from general income 378,3 372,1 Maksas pakalpojumi un citi paßu ieñémumi Paid services and other earnings 22,4 24,2 Iepriekßéjo gadu ieñémumi izdevumu segßanai Income of previous years for covering expenses 30,0 – Kopå Total 430,7 396,3

No kreisås: gråmatvede Digna Ívecova, galvenå gråmatvede Daina Jansone From the left: accountant Digna Ívecova, chief accountant Daina Jansone

42 FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FINANSIÅLÅS AKTIVITÅTES

21. tabula. Patentu valdes izdevumi 2000.–2001. gadå Table 21. Patent Office’s Expenditures 2000–2001 tükst. Ls thousands LVL 2000 2001 Izdevumi Expenditures Atalgojumi Salaries 170,0 169,8 Valsts sociålås apdroßinåßanas obligåtås iemaksas Mandatory state social insurance contributions (Social taxes) 44,9 41,3 Komandéjumi un dienesta braucieni Business trips 24,3 30,0 Pakalpojumu apmaksa Payment for services 118,3 97,8 Materiålu, energoresursu, üdens un inventåra lîdz Ls 50 iegåde Purchase of materials, energy supplies, 26,8 13,0 water and implements (up to LVL 50) Gråmatu, Ωurnålu iegåde Acquisition of books and periodicals 2,4 – Iemaksas starptautiskås organizåcijås Payments to international organizations 4,0 4,4 Kustamie îpaßumi Movables 40,0 40,0 Pavisam Total 430,7 396,3

Administratore Sarmîte Kalnåja Administrator Sarmîte Kalnåja

43 IZGUDROTÅJI INVENTORS IZGUDROTÅJI INVENTORS Valters Caps un Minox Walter Zapp and Minox Izgudrotåjs, izgudrojums, Patentu ieståde, eksperts. Inventor, invention, Patent Office, examiner. Which Kurß posms ßajå ˚édé ir galvenais, pamatposms? element is most important in this row? There is no doubt Protams, izgudrotåjs – visu påréjo posmu about it; it’s the inventor – the grounds for the existence paståvéßanas pamats. Íajå, 2002. gadå, kad of all the other elements. In the year 2002, when 10 aizritéjußi pirmie 10 atjaunotås Latvijas Patentu valdes years have passed since the renewed Latvian Patent darbîbas gadi, un 80 gadi kopß izsniegtas pirmås Office started functioning, and 80 years since the first Latvijas Republikas izgudrojumu patentu apliecîbas, patent certificates of the Republic of Latvia were granted, atcerésimies le©endårå miniatürå fotoaparåta, ko ar let us remember Walter Zapp, the author of the nosaukumu “Minox” sérijveidå raΩoja 30-tajos gados legendary miniature photo camera that, under the name Latvijå, Valsts elektrotehniskajå fabrikå (VEF), autoru of “Minox”, was mass-produced at the State Valteru Capu. Electrotechnical Plant (VEF) in Latvia in the 1930-ies. Valtera Capa dzîves posmi aizritéjußi daΩådås Walter Zapp, during different stages of his life, has zemés, un katra zeme bütu lepna dévét ßo le©endåro lived in different countries, and each of these countries izgudrotåju par savu. Taçu Valters Caps pieder sev un would be proud to claim this legendary inventor as their katra vieta, kur viñß vadîjis kårtéjo dzîves posmu, ir countryman. But Walter Zapp does not belong to devusi savu da¬u viña sapña piepildîßanå par anybody but himself, and each of the countries where he miniatüras fotokameras izveidoßanu, raΩoßanu un has spent a certain period of his life has contributed to tålåku pilnveidoßanu. his dream about creation, production and further Valters Caps dzimis Rîgå 1905. gada 4. septembrî, improvement of a miniature camera. 1921. gadå pårcélies uz Tallinu Igaunijå, kur jau Walter Zapp was born in Riga on September 4, 1922. gadå viñam rodas ideja radît maza izméra 1905, but he moved to Tallinn (Estonia) in 1921. fotokameru. Laika posmå no 1932. lîdz 1936. gadam, Already in 1922 he had an idea to create a very small dzîvojot Tallinå, viñß savu ideju realizé, izveidojot lîdz camera. Between 1932 and 1936, while residing in tam pasaulé nebijußa izméra miniatüru fotokameru. Tallinn, he carried out this idea and created the smallest Taçu zinåms, ka bieΩi vien, tåpat kå no idejas lîdz miniature camera in the world. The road from an idea to prototipa realizåcijai, bezgala sareΩ©îts ce¬ß ir jånoiet the creation of a prototype is often incredibly difficult, arî, lai tålåk to novestu lîdz sérijveida raΩoßanai. and the path to mass production can be just as Priekßlikums kameru raΩot rüpnieciski neatrada atbalsi complicated. The suggestion to manufacture the camera Igaunijå. Acîmredzot izgudrojums bija tik unikåls un in Estonia was not met with enthusiasm. Apparently the Valters Caps ar to bija tik ¬oti aizsteidzies laikam invention was so unique and Walter Zapp was so far priekßå, ka neveiksmi cieta arî mé©inåjumi piedåvåt to ahead of his time that the proposals to several Western raΩot vairåkåm Rietumu firmåm, tai skaitå arî firmai companies, including AGFA, to manufacture the camera AGFA. were also turned down. Tad V. Caps griezås ar priekßlikumu pie savas When Walter Zapp turned to the administrators of dzimtås pilsétas Rîgas rüpnîcas VEF vadîbas, kura VEF in his native city Riga, they assumed the uzñémås atbildîbu nodroßinåt izgudrojuma responsibility to launch production of the invention. On rüpniecisko raΩoßanu. 1936. gada 6. oktobrî V. Caps October 6, 1936, W. Zapp signed an agreement with paraksta lîgumu ar rüpnîcas pårståvjiem un pårce¬as the representatives of the plant and moved to Riga. A uz dzîvi Rîgå. Såkas intensîvs darbs kopå ar rüpnîcas period of intensive work began together with the VEF VEF inΩenieriem un konstruktoriem pie aparåta engineers and constructors to develop production rüpnieciskås raΩoßanas tehnolo©ijas izstrådes. technology. It was a difficult task since a camera of so Uzdevums ir ¬oti sareΩ©îts, jo jårada vél pasaulé small dimensions had never been manufactured until nebijußa izméra kamera. Deta¬u miniatürizméri, to then. The miniature size and precision of the parts called precizitåte prasa smalkmehåni˚a augstu kvalifikåciju. for extremely high qualification of precision-engineers. Bez tam jårada visas nepiecießamås ierîces filmas Besides the camera itself, also accessories for film apstrådei, palielinåmais aparåts, lécas objektîvam u.c. processing, an enlarger, lenses, etc., had to be created. Valtera Capa vårdus, ka rüpnîcas darbinieki radîja We might say that Walter Zapp was just being polite brînumu, ko viñß izteica 2001. gada 3. septembrî when on September 3, 2001, during his visit in Riga he viesoßanås laikå Rîgå, varétu uzskatît par pieklåjîbas said that the VEF staff had worked wonders but there is fråzi, taçu tajå ir arî liela da¬a patiesîbas. Péc pusotra great deal of truth in this statement. It took only a year gada 1938. gadå tika uzsåkta aparåta rüpnieciskå and a half until the camera was put on mass production raΩoßana. Pats autors savam lolojumam deva vårdu in 1938. The author had named his creation “Minox” Minox, kas kopå ar raΩotåjas rüpnîcas nosaukumu and this name along with the factory’s name VEF (VEF VEF (VEF Minox) rotåja ap 17000 aparåtus, ko Minox) adorned the 17,000 cameras that VEF managed rüpnîca paspéja izlaist lîdz 1942. gadam. 1940. gadå to turn out till 1942. When Latvia was occupied in 1940 péc Latvijas okupåcijas aparåta raΩoßana netika the production of the camera was not discontinued but

44 INVENTORS IZGUDROTÅJI the inscription “Made in Latvia” was erased and “Made pårtraukta, taçu uzraksts “Made in Latvia” tika izdzésts in USSR” was engraved instead. As simple as that! un tå vietå iegravéts “Made in USSR”. Cik vienkårßi! As the World War II began, the course of events Sakarå ar 2. pasaules kara notikumiem V. Caps forced Walter Zapp to leave for Berlin in 1941. In 1945 1941. gadå aizbrauc uz Berlîni. Vélåk, 1945. gadå in Wetzlar (Germany) he founded the company Minox Veclårå (Våcija), viñß nodibina firmu Minox GmBH, GmBH that has turned out approximately one million kura lîdz ßim laikam ir izlaidusi ap 1 miljonu Minox Minox cameras until now. W. Zapp has been residing in fotoaparåtu. Kopß 1950. gada Valters Caps dzîvo Switzerland since 1950 but he has never given up the Íveicé, taçu visu savu müΩu viñß palicis uzticîgs savas dream of his youth and has been working in the sphere jaunîbas sapnim un turpinåjis darboties miniatürås of miniature photography for his entire life. When W. fotogråfijas jomå. Zapp was staying in Latvia in 2000 he re-visited the 2000. gadå, viesojoties Latvijå, viñß Rîgå places where his idea had come to life through a apmekléja vietas, kur viña iecere realizéjås technological process. It was here that his invention went tehnolo©iskå proceså, kura rezultåtå viña izgudrojums out into the world for the first time bringing fame to the pirmo reizi izgåja plaßajå pasaulé, atnesdams slavu inventor and recognition to the VEF staff and to Latvia. izgudrotåjam un atzinîbu VEF darbiniekiem un Walter Zapp’s motherland expressed its gratitude by Latvijai. Dzimtenes pateicîba viñam tika izteikta, conferring an Honorary Doctor’s degree on him. pieß˚irot Goda doktora nosaukumu. The president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences 2001. gada 3. septembrî Latvijas Zinåtñu Jånis Stradiñß presented Walter Zapp with the certificate akadémijå tås prezidents Jånis Stradiñß Valteram of Honorary Doctor on September 3, 2001. Capam pasniedza Goda doktora diplomu.

45 PATENTU VALDES STRUKTËRA STRUCTURE OF THE PATENT OFFICE

LATVIJAS REPUBLIKAS PATENTU VALDE PATENT OFFICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA 2000–2001