The Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM), the body that registers the Community Trade Marks in the European Union, announced the launch of its new “Forecasting” tool.
This advanced IP prediction system, which was developed within the framework of the Cooperation Fund and the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights (‘Observatory’), enables IP Offices to generate reliable forecasts of trade mark and design filings using the latest available technologies. The result of a five-year research project, Forecasting will provide participating IP Offices with what the OHIM describes as "a better understanding about the underlying factors behind the evolution of trade marks and designs filings. It will support strategic planning and the optimal allocation of resources of participating Offices."
Set up in 2010, the Cooperation Fund has created and developed IT solutions for use across the intellectual property landscape. Some tools support examiners, some are aimed at business, and some have been built for the enforcement community. The Observatory is a network of experts and specialist stakeholders. Its objectives are to: a) Provide evidence-based contributions and data to enable EU policymakers to shape effective IP enforcement policies and to support innovation and creativity; b) Provide data, tools and databases to support the fight against IP infringement; c) Provide knowledge and learning programs for IP and enforcement authorities as well as for businesses and IP practitioners; d) Develop initiatives to help innovators, creators and businesses (especially SMEs) protect their IP rights; and e) Design campaigns to raise awareness of the value of IP and the negative consequences of IP infringement.
