- CHAPTER I Filing Procedure of the Patent Applications
- SECTION 1 General Provisions
- SECTION 2 Filing the Patent Application
- Rule 3 – Filing the Patent Applications with The State Office For Inventions and Trademarks
- Rule 4 – Time Limits
- Rule 5 – Representation by Authorized Representative
- Rule 6 – Official Language
- Rule 7 – Confidential Character of the Patent Application Secrecy
- Rule 8 – Minimum Requirements for Registering the Patent Applications in the National Register
- Rule 9 – Date of the Regular National Filing
- SECTION 3 Patentable Inventions
- SECTION 4 The Patent Application
- Rule 12 – The Patent Application Form
- Rule 13 – Description of Invention
- Rule 14 – Description of an Invention Relative to Biotechnologies
- Rule 15 – Claims
- Rule 16 – Drawings of the Invention
- Rule 17 – Requirements Concerning the Form of the Patent Application
- Rule 18 – Other Documents Attached to the Patent Application not Conditioning the Date of Filing
- SECTION 5 International Applications Filed by the Procedure of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
- Rule 19 – The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks – Receiving Office
- Rule 20 – The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks – Designated Office
- Rule 21 – The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks – Elected Office
- Rule 22 – Treating the International Applications Revised by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks as a Designated Office
- CHAPTER II Examination of the Patent Applications
- SECTION 1 Preliminary Examination
- SECTION 2 Publication of the Patent Application
- SECTION 3 Substantive Examination of the Patent Applications
- Rule 28 – Conditions for Starting the Substantive Examination
- Rule 29 – Disclosure of the Invention
- Rule 30 – Prior Art
- Rule 31 – Unity of Invention
- Rule 32 – Examination of the Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Patentable Invention
- Rule 33 – Improvement Patent
- Rule 34 – State Office for Inventions and Trademarks Notifications
- SECTION 4 State Office for Inventions and Trademarks Decisions
- SECTION 5 Attacking the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks Decisions by Administrative Procedure
- SECTION 6 Issue of a Patent
- CHAPTER III Protection by a Patent for New Varieties ofPlants and New Animal Breeds
- Rule 39 – Definitions
- Rule 40 – Competences
- Rule 41 – Conditions for the Existence of a Patentable Invention theSubject-Matter of Which is a Variety or Breed
- Rule 42– Filing and Publication of the Patent Application
- Rule 44 – Tests for Varieties and Breeds
- Rule 45 – Examination of the Patent Applications the Subject– Matter of which is a Variety of Plant or Animal Breed
- Rule 46 – Rights and Obligations Resulting from the Protection of Varieties and Breeds by aPatent for Invention
- Rule 47 – Exceptions to the Breeder's Right
- Rule 48 – Obligations of the Patent Owner
- CHAPTER IV Dispositions for Applying Article 5 of the Law – Employees' Inventions
- CHAPTER V The Remuneration of the Inventors According to Article 66 of the Law
REGULATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PATENT LAW
(No. 64/1991)
CHAPTER I Filing Procedure of the Patent Applications
SECTION 1 General Provisions
Rule 1 – Granting the Patents for Invention
The patents for invention are granted according to the provisions of Law no. 64/1991 of October 11, 1991 by meeting the conventions, treaties and agreements to which Romania is a party.
These implementing regulations set out the manner of applying the Law concerning the patents for invention.
Rule 2 – Definitions
The terms used within these implementing regulations have the following meaning:
– law means the Patent Law (No. 64/1991);
– OSIM means The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks;
– inventor means the person who created the invention;
– successor in title means any natural or legal person to whom either the right to be granted a patent for invention or the rights deriving from an issued patent have been transferred;
– applicant means the natural or legal person applying for the grant of a patent for invention;
– patent owner means the person to whom the right conferred by the patent belongs;
– employer means the legal person having a legal status;
– publication means to be rendered available to the public;
– patent attorney is a person skilled in giving assistance in the field of industrial property (inventions, marks, designs, models, a.s.o.), who legally carries out this activity;
– authorized representative means the patent attorney who may also have the quality of representation in the procedures before The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks;
– patent application means a written application containing the explicit demand for the grant of a patent for invention;
– description means the written presentation of the invention in the conditions of Art. 18 from the Law;
– claims mean the presentation of the subject-matter of the demanded protection and of the elements of novelty of the invention;
– regular filing means the patent application attended by the description of the invention, claims and, if required, by the explanatory drawings;
– priority means the date of the first filing of the patent application, irrespective of the competent national authority where the application filing was performed under the Paris Convention.
SECTION 2 Filing the Patent Application
Rule 3 – Filing the Patent Applications with The State Office For Inventions and Trademarks
(1) All the patent applications filed with the General Registry of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall be analyzed on the date of filing.
(2) Filing of a patent application with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks may be performed as follows:
(a) directly to the General Registry of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks that is open to the public on any working day;
(b) by mail, posted by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.
In both situations, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks acknowledges to the applicant the receipt of the patent application and the conditions in which it was received.
(3) Filing of the patent applications belonging to the field of the national defense and security that were created in the territory of Romania is performed according to the legislation in force.
(4) The other applications and documents filed with the General Registry regarding the procedures to which the patent applications are submitted, shall be analyzed subsequent to the date of filing thereof, the answer of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks being notified to the petitioner within 60 days.
(5) Any letters or documents filed with the registry referring to a patent application or a patent for invention shall indicate the petitioner's name and address for mailing, as well as the filing number of the application or of the patent of invention to which they refer; otherwise, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks does not comply with the request, these being definitely filed and disposed of, or returned, if the petitioner is identifiable.
(6) If there are registered amendments or completions to the description, claims and/or to the drawings of the patent application filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, this fact shall be mentioned by the manifest indication “completion to the patent application no.... /dated......” and the typed pages from the description, claims and/or drawings containing the required amendments or completions will be filed; otherwise, they shall be returned to the applicant.
(7) When the law or the implementing regulations make provisions that an application or a document should be filed in a certain form, this application or document shall be filed as prescribed.
If the patent application or any other document does not comply with the prescribed conditions, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks notifies the applicant about the defects, providing a period of time for the rectification, except for the case provided for in Rule 8(4) when the patent application shall be returned to the applicant.
All the notifications of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall be justified and shall contain the legal ground.
(8) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall inscribe on the application the receiving date, the number from the General Registry and the documents received under signature. A copy of the application thus filled in shall be immediately returned to the applicant as acknowledgment of the receipt. The receiving date and the number from the General Registry of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall be legibly written.
(9) The returned application copy shall indicate the shortcomings found out by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks upon filing the patent application and the period of time within which they are to be remedied.
(10) Upon filing a patent application with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, the applicant will state precisely that he is entitled to be granted a patent for invention, will indicate the legal ground which gives him this title, or, will file the necessary documents which can prove this fact.
(11) When during the time elapsed from the filing of the patent application till the issue of the patent a court decision established that another person than the applicant or his successor in title is entitled to the issuance of the patent, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will execute that decision.
(12) The filing fee is to be paid by the applicant at the time the patent application is filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks. When the applicant has paid the filing fee prior to filing the patent application, he shall state this precisely in the application and a copy of the payment document shall be attached therewith.
(13) If, upon filing the patent application, the applicant has not paid the filing fee, this fee shall be paid within three months from the date of the national regular filing, with a legally established increase; otherwise, the patent application is deemed abandoned and it is rejected.
(14) Any payment document failing to contain the identification data of the patent application or of the patent for invention (at least the application or the patent number) is disposed of as witness document and the amount of money will be returned only if the payer may be identified by name or address. In case of returning the amount of money this will be diminished by the cost of the post services.
Rule 4 – Time Limits
(1) Periods expressed as days contain the calendar days and do not include either the day when the period started or the one when the period ended. The periods expressed as years, months or weeks will end on the day of the year, month or week corresponding to the starting day.
(2) The period which beginning on the 29–th, 30–th, 31–st of the month ends in a month not having such a day, will be deemed to end on the first day of the following month. The period ending on a legal holiday or when the service is suspended will be extended up to the end of the following working day.
(3) The periods start to elapse from the date when the documents of the procedures are communicated, by communication being meant the date when the notification of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks was registered at the post office.
(4) The documents of the procedures sent by mail to The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks are deemed to be fulfilled within the prescribed time limit if they were registered at the post office prior to the end thereof.
(5) An application demanding for an extension of the time limit for answering to the notification of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall have the date of the post office or of the General Registry of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks within the prescribed time limit and will depend upon the reasons for which this extension is required.
The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall notify the applicant in writing about the acceptance or the rejection of the demand for extending the time limit.
(6) Failure to fulfil the documents of the procedures within the legal time limits does not entail the sanctions provided for by the law and the present implementing regulations if the applicant can prove that he was hindered by some circumstances beyond his will and if he fulfils the procedure within two months from the termination of the cause.
Rule 5 – Representation by Authorized Representative
(1) Filing of the patent application with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks or the applicant's representation in the procedures before The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks can be made by an authorized mandatary with the residence or premises in Romania.
(2) Where the applicant of the patent of invention is represented by an authorized mandatary, this can affix his signature upon the patent application on the basis of a written power of attorney.
(3) In the procedures before The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, the foreign applicant or owner may be represented only by an authorized patent attorney.
(4) According to Article 43 of the Law, the patent attorney may assure assistance, upon request, to Romanian or foreign natural or legal persons and may represent them before The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, according to the provisions of the contract concluded with the customer.
The representation is assured by the empowerment and within the limits of the mandate established by contract with the persons concerned, in view of obtaining, defending and claiming the rights regarding the inventions, industrial designs, trade and service marks or other industrial property rights. Representation of the natural or legal persons before The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks is made by written power of attorney.
(5) The juridical assistance of the applicant or of the owner before law courts is conditioned by the qualification of attorney or legal adviser.
(6) The patent attorney shall observe only the provisions of the law and shall be obliged to act in good faith and with professional integrity.
He shall not disclose the data and information received from the customer. The information given by the customer to the patent attorney in view of exercising his function of representation shall not be considered as disclosure.
(7) A national of Romania with the residence in Romania may be a patent attorney provided that he should meet cumulatively the following requirements:
– has a graduate diploma of an institution of technical and juridical higher education;
– has at least 5 years of service in the technical and juridical professions;
– has no criminal records;
– enjoys a good reputation;
– was declared to have passed the examination organized for this profession by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(8) The profession of patent attorney may be practised only after the persons having passed the examination are registered, upon their request, in the National Register of Patent Attorneys and after they registered themselves at the Town hall of Bucharest, the Finance Department based on the registration voucher issued by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
The patent attorneys' list is published in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property.
(9) The examination for the profession of patent attorney is taken before a board consisting of 5–7 members whose president is the director of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks. The members of the board are appointed by the board of directors of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
The members of the board may be specialists having at least 5 years of activity within The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, university teaching staff, experts.
(10) Practising the profession of patent attorney is not compatible with the quality of employee of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(11) Striking off from the National Register of Patent Attorneys is carried out upon request by the person involved and by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, when that person does not meet one of the requirements stipulated in para.(7).
(12) Infringement with guilt by the patent attorney of the professional obligations and of the norms of conduct is an infraction of discipline and is sanctioned, where appropriate with: warning, temporary striking off for a period of up to 5 years or definitive erase from the National Register of Patent Attorneys.
The disciplinary sanction is established and applied by a board appointed to this end by the management of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks. The striking off sanction may be appealed against in the court within 30 days from the communication of the court decision.
Striking off is performed only after the court decision remains irrevocable.
Rule 6 – Official Language
All the patent applications and the correspondence referring thereto will be drawn up and submitted to The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks in Romanian.
Rule 7 – Confidential Character of the Patent Application Secrecy
(1) The data contained in the patent application are confidential up to the publication thereof by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, the disclosure thereof without the consent of the inventor or of his successor in title being forbidden irrespective of the way in which the persons got knowledge of them and whatever their quality may be (representatives, patent attorneys, any person in the situations provided for in Articles 5 and 18, para.2 of the Law).
Disclosure prior to the publication of the patent application is punished according to the Penal Code.
(2) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks ensures the confidentiality of the patent applications from the date of filing thereof with the General Registry of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks up to the publication thereof in compliance with Article 23, Article 44, paras 1 and 3 and are sanctioned according to Article 60 of the Law.
(3) In compliance with Article 44, para 2 of the Law, the secret character of the descriptions of the inventions belonging to the national defense and national security fields is assigned by the Ministry of the National Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Romanian Intelligence Service, by their representatives officially appointed.
(4) The representatives of the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs and of the Romanian Intelligence Service have the obligation to observe the legal provisions and the commitments signed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks with regard to handling, confidentiality and keeping secret the patent for invention.
The secret character is assigned only for the patent applications from the national defense and national security fields, within 15 days from the date of the regular filing, by stamping the word “secret” onto the patent application documentation and the clearly legible signature (family name and first name) of the representative who assigned this character; otherwise, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks follows the procedures provided for in these implementing regulations.
(5) The institution which assigned a secret character to a patent application, within 60 days from the date of assignation, shall pay an annuity for the maintenance under secrecy status and shall inform the applicant.
(6) The Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs or The Romanian Intelligence Service will be able to maintain a description under secrecy only for the time limit for which the annuity corresponding to the maintenance under this status was paid. The secret status ceases by non-payment of the fee or by a written decision of the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Romanian Intelligence Service, from the date of receiving thereof by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(7) In compliance with Article 44 para 2 of the law, The Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs or Romanian Intelligence Service will pay an equitable compensation to the patent applicant established by contract during the whole period of maintenance of the invention under secrecy.
(8) The Ministry of National Defense, The Ministry of Internal Affairs or Romanian Intelligence Service will assign a secret character to the patent applications resulting from their enterprises, in accordance with the provisions of the legislation in force concerning the protection of the state secret.
(9) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will assure the required conditions for keeping, access, handling or any other activity concerning the patent applications which were assigned the secret character, in compliance with the provisions of the legislation in force concerning the protection of the state secret.
(10) Foreign patents may be applied for in respect of the inventions which are the subject-matter of the patent applications only after the expiration of a time limit of 30 days from the date of the regular filing.
Rule 8 – Minimum Requirements for Registering the Patent Applications in the National Register
(1) The patent applications meeting the provisions of Article 15 of the law and of these Implementing Regulations will be registered in the National Register of Patent Applications.
The date of filing with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks of the patent applications is the date they were received at the General Registry.
(2) In compliance with Article 15 of the law, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks registers a patent application in the National Register of Patent Applications, if at least the following documents are submitted:
(a) a request written in Romanian which should contain an explicit demand for the grant of a patent for an invention whose title is mentioned, and also the identification data of the applicant;
(b) a text which at first sight should seem to be the description of the invention.
The registration of the patent applications in the National Register of Filed Patent Applications is made in the sequence of the filing numbers and dates with the General Registry of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(3) The number in the National Register of Filed Patent Applications and the date of filing are written on the application and on the first page of each copy of the description as well as on the envelope, when the application was sent by mail.
This number is the number of the patent application and will be used in the whole correspondence.
(4) In case the provisions of para 2(a) and (b) are not fulfilled cumulatively, the applications are received, they are not filed in the National Register of the Patent Applications and the documentation is returned, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks keeping a witness copy. The witness copy is kept in a confidential status and may be consulted by the applicant.
Rule 9 – Date of the Regular National Filing
(1) All the documents provided for by Article 14 para 1 of the Law, filed with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks form the regular national filing.
(2) The date of the regular national filing is the date when The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks received all the documents provided for by Article 14 para 1 of the Law, or the date provided for by the conventions to which Romania is a party.
(3) Where foreign applicants file the descriptions, claims and drawings in a foreign language, the regular national filing date will be the date of receiving thereof by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, provided that within two months they shall file the translation into Romanian of the respective documents in three copies, signed by the authorized representative. Otherwise, the application is considered abandoned and will be rejected.
(4) Where the claims are missing from the patent application, they can be filed within two months from the patent application filing date. In this case, the regular filing date is the date when the claims are filed.
If within two months from the filing date the applicant does not file the claims, the patent application is considered abandoned and it is rejected.
(5) If the description of the invention makes reference to the illustrative drawings, but these are not received with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks together with the patent application, at the applicant's option:
(a) any reference in the description regarding the drawings will be considered left out;
(b) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will examine only those parts from the description not requiring the drawings;
(c) the regular filing date will be the date when the drawings were received by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, if the drawings are filed within two months from the patent application filing date.
In the case of the letters a) and b), the regular filing date will be the date when the patent application was filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(6) In all cases when The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks finds out that the provisions of Article 14, para 1 of the Law are met, accords a regular national filing date, registers this date in the National Register of Patent Applications filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks and notifies the applicant about that within 30 days.
(7) The date of filing for divisionary or improvement inventions is given in the same conditions as those provided for at paragraphs (1) – (5) above.
SECTION 3 Patentable Inventions
Rule 10 – Conditions for Patentability
An invention is patentable if it meets cumulatively the requirements stipulated by Article 7, para 1 of the Law.
The inventions having as a subject-matter a new plant variety, a hybrid or a new breed of animal shall meet cumulatively only the provisions of Article 7, para 3 of the Law, completed with the rules in Chapter III of these regulations.
Rule 11 – Subject-Matter of Invention
(1) The subject-matter of a patentable invention provided for in Article 7, para 2 of the law may be from any field of activity.
(2) The inventions whose subject-matter is a product may be:
(a) machines, apparatuses, tools, devices, mechanisms, machine parts, equipment, assemblies, installations, electronic circuits and units or electro-technical units, control or protection systems, construction elements, including construction materials, furniture, household articles, toys, medical instruments, writing instruments, musical instruments a.s.o. These products shall be defined technically by component elements, functional part played by each element, the connection between them, the constructive, functional and position relation between the component elements, a.s.o.
(b) chemical and biological substances, with the exception of those existing in nature for which no creative effort was made. These products shall be defined by the chemical formula and physical-chemical, curative, prophylactic, insecticide, fungicide or other properties. As the case may be, the chemical or biological substances are defined also by substituent radicals, molecular structure, geometry, molecular weight or by other characteristics individualizing or identifying thereof;
(c) mixtures (physical or physical-chemical) which are defined by their components, quantitative ratio thereof, structures, physical or chemical properties as the case may be, by other properties which individualize them and make them applicable for solving a problem;
(d) micro-organisms, newly created or isolated by selection with mutant effects; they shall be defined by morphological, taxonomic, biochemical or physiological characteristics and culture effects or other effects specific to the use thereof.
(3) The inventions whose subject-matter are procedures or methods shall be defined as logical succession of operations characterized by steps, their sequence, initial conditions (raw materials, parameters), technical conditions, technical means employed (equipment, installations, devices, instruments, catalysts) products or final results.
Activities resulting in a product or in modifying a product are deemed processes.
Activities having qualitative results are deemed methods. (measurement, analysis, regulation, checking, diagnosing or medical treatment).
The biological or genetical processes have specific characteristics and namely for the biological processes: individuals from which it is started and the way of acting upon them (individual selection, hybridation, polyploidy, genetic transfer, treatment with chemical or physical agents) the environment in which they develop, and for the genetic processes: separation of RNA and DNA, DNA sequences, modification of DNA sequences, cloning, RNA and DNA syntheses, these being possibly accompanied by chemical or biological processes.
The methods of treatment are defined by the specific interventions upon living organisms: nature, means employed (instruments, medicines, physical, balneological and desinfecting agents, a.s.o.), technical parameters (doses, time intervals, duration, temperature, concentrations, parameters of the physical or balneological agents), action or administration.
The mere posology of a medicine is not patentable.
(4) Computer programs per se are not inventions. The computer program protection is achieved by other forms of intellectual property.
However, the inventions meeting the provisions of Article 7, paras 1 and 2 of the Law cannot be precluded from being granted a patent for invention only because they contain elements or programs for the computer.
SECTION 4 The Patent Application
Rule 12 – The Patent Application Form
(1) The application for the grant of a patent for invention shall be drawn up in three copies, on a standardized, printed or typed form drawn up in Romanian, whose outline is prescribed by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(2) The applicant or the authorized representative will fill in the standardized application form clearly and legibly, either by typing or by hand writing, and will sign the application.
Where the applicant is a legal person, the application will be signed by the manager of the enterprise and will be stamped.
(3) The applicant shall write in the application his full name and address. If there are two or more applicants, the same mentions are made for each of them.
Natural persons shall be named by their family names, followed by the first names, nationalities and the indication of the countries whose nationals they are.
Legal persons shall be named by their complete denominations, places and countries where their premises are.
The applicant shall indicate the phone, telex, fax in view of a correct and rapid communication.
(4) The applicant shall explicitly request to be granted a patent for invention, indicating the title of the invention and shall prove that he is entitled to be granted a patent for invention.
If the patent applicant is another person than the inventor, the application shall indicate the legal ground on which he may apply for the patent for invention, or he will submit the document by which the inventor assigned him the right to be granted a patent for invention.
(5) In compliance with Article 14, para 2 of the Law, the applicant shall declare the inventor or the inventors if these are not the same with the applicant. The declaration of the inventor is performed by indicating his name and address, work place and if there are two or more inventors, the applicant shall write on the application the necessary data for each of them.
(6) If the applicant files the application through an authorized representative he will write on the application the identification data thereof (name, address, phone, telex, fax, bank account, code). If the representative is also a patent attorney, the applicant may allow him to sign the patent application in his name and to represent him in all the procedures before The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks on the basis of a written power of attorney.
(7) If there are two or more applicants and these are not represented before The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks by an authorized representative, the application shall indicate one of the applicants who is appointed for the correspondence with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks; otherwise, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will have correspondence with the first applicant written on the application.
(8) If the applicant wants to make use of the priority right of an application previously filed in another country, with a national, regional or international administration, he will indicate in the application the name of the country or administration, filing date and number.
Where more priorities are claimed, the above-mentioned data are written in the application for any individual filing.
In case of an error, when the applicant failed to claim priority of a previous first filing, he can do it within maximum two months from the patent application filing date. If within this time limit the applicant does not claim a priority, the patent application will benefit of the priority from the date of submitting the patent application with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, in compliance with Article 17 of the Law.
(9) The following procedures may be explicitly requested in the patent application:
(a) publication of the patent application in a shorter time than 18 months, according to Article 24 of the Law;
(b) carrying out a search report in accordance with Article 25 of the Law;
(c) substantive examination in compliance with Article 26 of the Law.
If the applicant does not mention any procedure in the application, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will consider as a first procedure for the patent application, the publication thereof within the time limit specified in Article 23 of the Law.
(10) If the application is not signed, a copy of the application (other copy than the one provided for in Rule 3(8) will be returned by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks to the applicant, to sign it and send it back within two months; otherwise, the patent application is considered abandoned and it is rejected. If within this time limit the patent application is sent to The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks signed, the filing date will be the date when the patent application was filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, provided that the stipulations of Article 14 para 1 of the Law are met.
Rule 13 – Description of Invention
(1) The description of the invention shall contain successively, in the order below, the following:
(a) the title of the invention as indicated in the patent application with a clear and concise formulation of the subject-matter of the invention, but without disclosing the invention;
(b) precise specification of the technical field where the invention may be exploited, but without disclosing the solution;
(c) presentation of the prior art as far as the applicant has knowledge of it and it can be regarded as useful for understanding the invention, citing the documents reflecting such art; at least one solution regarded as the closest to the subject-matter of the invention will be shown; where the invention contains a group of inventions which fulfil the unity criterion, a solution from the prior art shall be presented for each subject-matter of the group;
(d) disclosure of the invention so that the technical problem it solves (even if the technical problem is not explicitly stated as such) as well as the technical solution as claimed can be understood; the description shall be attended by any advantageous effects of the invention with reference to the background art; where there is a group of inventions which meet the unity criterion, each invention in the group will be separately exposed;
(e) brief description of the figures in the drawings, if any;
(f) detailed description of the subject-matter of the invention for which protection is claimed, of the way of carrying out and use/operation thereof with references to the drawings of the invention, if any, so that a person skilled in the art could carry it out; the presentation shall be supported by the concrete embodiments; in case of a group of inventions which meet the unity criterion, at least one embodiment for each invention in the group shall be given;
(g) explicit indication, if this does not obviously result from the detailed description according to letter (f) or from the nature of the invention, of the way in which the invention is capable of industrial applicability.
(2) In the description mathematical models and formulae, algorithms may be presented without having the presentation of the subject-matter of the invention in the embodiment rely exclusively thereon.
Rule 14 – Description of an Invention Relative to Biotechnologies
(1) An exception from the manner and sequence of presentation provided for by Rule 13 are the descriptions of the inventions having as a subject-matter a new plant variety, a hybrid or a new animal breed and these will be described in Chapter III of these Regulations.
(2) If an invention concerns a micro-organism protection is claimed, besides the provisions of Rule 13, the description will have to contain, in compliance with Article 18 of the Law, the morphological, taxonomic and biochemical characteristics thereof and at least one process for obtaining thereof, starting from a known micro-organism. To meet the requirements of Article 18, paragraph 2 of the Law, the denomination of the micro-organism, the number of the culture as well as the depositary institution or authority of the new micro-organism must be specified.
(3) If the subject-matter of the invention for which protection is claimed is a new process for obtaining a micro-organism having at least one new morphological, taxonomic or biochemical characteristic, the description shall contain besides the provisions of Rule 13 the following:
(a) in the chapter “the prior art”, the denomination of the micro-organism from which it has been started in applying the new process, the morphological, taxonomic and biochemical characteristics and the depositary institution or authority, with the file number of the culture deposit;
(b) in the chapter “embodiment of the invention”, after the process description, the micro-organism obtained will be described by its morphological, taxonomic and biochemical characteristics, stating precisely those characteristics which are the subject-matter of the invention and/or the new technical effects obtained.
(4) If the subject-matter of the invention is a nucleotide or an amino acid sequence, the description is regarded as diclosed in compliance with Article 18 of the law only if the description will indicate the amino acid sequence in the nucleotide or in amino acid sequence.
Rule 15 – Claims
(1) The claims set out the extension of protection conferred by the patent for invention and they shall meet the following requirements:
(a) shall define in technical terms the subject-matter for which protection is sought and indicate the technical features of the invention:
(b) shall rely entirely on the description of the invention.
(2) The claims shall contain:
(a) a preamble indicating the title of the invention, the technical elements thereof which are necessary for defining the subject-matter of the invention and which are part of the prior art.
(b) a characterizing part, preceded by the expression “characterized in that”, stating concisely the new technical features necessary for the definition of the subject-matter of the invention in combination with the technical features stated in the “preamble”.
(3) The new features are presented in the characterizing part of the claims, stating their interdependence (constructive, functional, synergical a.s.o.) connections, maintaining the same designation of the features and the same positioning from the text of the descriptions and drawings.
(4) Depending on the complexity of the invention there may be several claims, independent and dependent.
(5) The independent claim shall ensure the protection of the invention within those limits in which the invention can be implemented while having the same technical effects and also containing general elements sufficiently outlined so that the reproduction of the subject-matter of the invention be possible.
(6) If the patent application refers to two or more inventions and the unity of the invention is observed, an individual claim for each individual invention shall be drawn up.
(7) Any independent claim may be followed by a reasonable number of dependent claims which should refer thereto and should develop or explain the technical features already stated in the independent claim or in the embodiment of the subject-matter of the invention, provided that the unity of the invention be observed.
(8) If the patent application contains drawings, all the technical features mentioned in a claim shall be attended by the given reference signs put between parentheses.
(9) The claims shall not contain drawings or graphs, program lines, sub-routines or computer programs. The claims may contain tables, chemical or mathematical formulae which are essential for the definition of the novelty of the invention.
Rule 16 – Drawings of the Invention
(1) The drawings are necessary in so far as they contribute to the understanding of the invention and of the elements of novelty thereof. The drawings shall contain reference signs (numbers and/or letters) which should indicate the component elements, corresponding to their presentation in the embodiment of the invention.
(2) The sheet containing the drawings shall not exceed A4 form, or A3 exceptionally, and it may be made of tracing paper, white cardboard or any other support, provided that the drawing should have the required contrast to allow the reproduction by the electro-statical methods.
The sheets shall not have frames or any other lines for marking the limits of the drawings.
The minimum margins of the sheets shall be of 2.5 cm on all sides.
(3) The sketches and diagrams are considered drawings. The tables are not considered drawings.
(4) The drawings shall not contain texts, except for one word or more isolated words – when this is absolutely necessary – such as “water”, “steam”, “open”, “closed a.s.o.- and for the sketches and diagrams illustrating the steps of a process, some key words, absolutely necessary for the understanding thereof. Any word used shall be placed in the drawing so that to permit its replacement without covering any line of the drawings.
(5) The reference signs which are mentioned in the description shall appear on the drawings and reversely.
(6) The reference signs of the same elements should be identical in the description, claims and drawings.
Rule 17 – Requirements Concerning the Form of the Patent Application
(1) The application, description, claims and drawings are drawn up on separate sheets, A4 format, and they are filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks in three copies.
(2) All the sheets of the patent application shall be drawn up only on one side so that they could be separated with a view to reproducing them.
(3) All the sheets are numbered with Arabic numbers in the increasing order.
(4) The description and claims shall be typed at a spacing of 1 and ½ –2 lines.
(5) Erasures, corrections, words written above or inserted lines are not allowed. If there are any, the applicant shall sign on the original at the place/places where the modifications were made.
(6) Each page of the description form of the original copy shall be signed by the applicant.
(7) It is indicated to use terms, signs and technical symbols which are generally accepted in that special field.
(8) The units of measurement for weights, temperatures, densities a.s.o shall be expressed in the international system of units, even if in the description measurement system may appear.
(9) For the indications concerning the heat, energy, light, sound and magnetism, as well as for the mathematical formulas and electrical units, the international norms shall be observed; for the chemical formulas, the symbols, atomic weights and molecular formulas of general use shall be employed.
(10) The terms and the signs from the patent application shall be uniformly used throughout thereof.
(11) The following cannot form part of the patent application filing and will be returned to the applicant: the product made according to the invention, models, manufacturing projects concerning the invention a.s.o.
(12) The patent application shall not contain:
(a) expressions or drawings contrary to the public morality and order;
(b) statements dispariging the products, methods or processes, merits or validity of the applications or patents for invention belonging to any other person than the applicant; the mere comparison with the prior art shall not be considered as dispariging per se.
If the description still contains prohibited matter within the meaning of the aforementioned, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall omit it when publishing the text.
Rule 18 – Other Documents Attached to the Patent Application not Conditioning the Date of Filing
A. Abstract of the Invention
(1) The abstract shall indicate the technical field to which the invention pertains and shall be drafted in a way which allows the clear understanding of the technical problem, the gist of the solution of that problem solved by the invention, as well as the main field of use of the invention.
(2) The abstract is exclusively intended to constitute an efficient instrument for the selection of the technical information for the specialists, in order to make it possible to assess whether there is a need for consulting the description of the invention and drawings published in extenso.
(3) The abstract of the invention attached to the patent application shall not be taken into consideration for any other purpose, such as for assessing the scope of the protection.
(4) Finally, the drawings, or the chemical formulas which are desired to be published together with the abstract shall be specified; the abstract shall also contain the reference signs corresponding to the elements of novelty existing in the drawings, placed between parentheses.
(5) The abstract shall not contain more than one hundred and fifty words.
B. Power of Attorney
For a patent application filed by an authorized representative, it is necessary that a power of attorney under private signature be filed together with the application or within three months from the filing date; otherwise, the applicant will be notified that, in default of the power of attorney, the application is considered abandoned and it is rejected.
C. Priority Document
(1) Where one or more conventional priorities are claimed in the patent application according to Article 20 or Article 21 of the Law, one or more priority documents shall be filed up to three months from the regular filing date, according to Article 22 of the Law.
If the priority documents are not submitted within the aforementioned time limit, this leads to disregarding the claimed priority.
(2) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks may ask the applicant to submit a corresponding translation into Romanian of the priority certificate if this is necessary in view of recognizing the claimed priority.
(3) The priority document according to Article 20 of the Law shall contain a certificate issued by the authority which made the first filing, stating the country where the filing was performed, date and number of the filing, the identification data of the applicant and the title of the invention. The certificate will be accompanied by a copy of the first filing.
The priority document may contain the filing of a patent application, of a utility model or of a demand for granting the breeder's right in the case of a plant variety or animal breed.
(4) Claiming the priority according to Article 21 of the Law shall be justified by the guarantee certificate which shall contain:
– name and address of the authority which organized the exhibition where the invention was displayed;
– name of the exhibition, address and closing date;
– surname, first name and address of a natural person or the premises of a legal person who deposited the object in the exhibition;
– date when the public exhibiting was performed;
– number and date of the guarantee certificate;
– a copy of the description of the exhibited object, certified by the administration of the exhibition indicating that the object displayed is identical with the one described, and a translation in Romanian of this description.
(5) According to Article 47 of the Law, the priority claiming is subject to a fee which shall be paid within three months from the filing date.
If more priorities are claimed in the application, the legally established fee shall be paid for each priority.
Failure to pay the fees within the provided time limit will lead to disregarding the claimed priorities.
(6) Where one or more priorities are claimed for a patent application, the priority may be recognized only for those elements contained in the application for the earliest filing or in the subsequent applications claimed, provided that the unity of the invention should be observed.
(7) If some elements of the invention for which priority was claimed are not to be found in any claims formulated in the earliest application, the priority may be recognized if these elements obviously result from the whole prior application.
(8) The priority claiming will be published by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks according to the provisions of Article 23 of the Law.
(9) Several priorities of some earlier applications filed in various countries may be claimed for a patent application.
(10) If for a patent application several priorities are claimed, the time limits from which the priority date starts are calculated taking into account the earliest date of priority.
(11) It is not allowed to claim several priorities in cascade.
(12) Where one or more priorities are claimed and The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks asked for the translation of the priority certificate, the applicant or his successor in title shall indicate the texts in the description, claims and, if appropriate, the drawing or drawings corresponding to each priority document.
D. Authorization Concerning the Right to Priority Claiming
(1) Where the applicant of a patent application claims a priority right belonging to another person, in order to have the priority recognized, it is necessary to file with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks an authorization from the assigner, proving that the applicant was assigned the right to claim priority of the earliest filing.
(2) The authorization shall be filed within maximum 3 months from the date of priority claiming; otherwise, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks does not recognize the claimed priority.
E. Document Certifying the Deposit of a Micro-organism
(1) If the patent application relates to a micro-organism, in compliance with the provisions of Article 18, para 2 of the Law, it is necessary to file with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks a document certifying the deposit of the micro-organism with a national depositary institution designated by the government or with an international depositary authority.
The document stating that the micro-organism deposit was formed in an officially recognized national or international collection, where the grant of a patent is requested for a new micro-organism, shall compulsorily contain the following:
– denomination and address of the officially recognized national and international collection where the micro-organism was deposited;
– date (year, month, day) of the micro-organism filing with the officially recognized national and international collection;
– micro-organism denomination;
– number of the micro-organism deposit;
– morphological, taxonomic and biochemical characteristics of the deposited micro-organism.
(2) The document mentioned in the aforementioned paragraph shall state that the micro-organism was deposited with a depositary institution on an earlier date than the patent application filing date with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(3) The document provided for in paragraph 1 shall be filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks up to the moment of taking a decision; otherwise, the application is considered abandoned and it is rejected.
F. Declaration of the Inventors
(1) If the inventors were not declared in the application, the applicant has the obligation to declare them by the 15–th month from the regular filing date or from the claimed priority date; for the patent applications provided for in Article 44, paras 2 and 3 of the Law, the declaration of the inventors shall be carried out up to the publication or to taking a decision by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(2) Where the applicant does not answer to the notification made by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks concerning the declaration of the inventors within the time limits mentioned above, the patent application is considered abandoned and it is rejected.
(3) The declaration of inventors is done on the applicant's responsibility.
The litigations occurring between the applicant and the inventors with regard to the declaration thereof, come within the jurisdiction of the court, according to Article 61 of the Law.
The final decisions of the court are filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks by the party concerned, with a view to bringing them into force.
(4) The inventor or inventors declared by the applicants may ask in writing with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks that they should not be mentioned in the published patent application, or in the patent for invention.
(5) Where the applicant requires the modification of the group of inventors, he shall file with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks a legalized declaration stating that the persons initially mentioned as inventors in the application agree with:
(a) exclusion of one or more of them;
(b) including other persons, the order in which they will be written in the patent for invention, the proof of the agreement of the included inventors, as well as their accord for the assignment of the rights to the applicant.
The declaration shall be filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks up to taking a decision for the grant of a patent for invention; otherwise, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will not take into account the applicant's request to change the group of inventors.
G. Document for Transfer of the Right to be Granted a Patent of Invention
(1) If the inventor or the inventors assigned the right to be granted a patent for invention to a natural or legal person prior to filing the patent application, the applicant shall file with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks the document stating this transfer.
(2) Where from the documentation of the patent application it does not follow that the applicant is entitled to be granted a patent for invention, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks may request him to produce the document stating his right to be granted a patent.
(3) The document shall be filed in the original or in legalized copy, within 6 months from the date when the substantive examination was requested; otherwise, the patent application is considered abandoned and it is rejected.
(4) If the right to have a patent for invention issued was transferred after the regular filing, the transfer document shall be filed as provided in paragraph 2 until a decision is taken by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks; otherwise, the patent for invention is issued in the patent applicant's name.
SECTION 5 International Applications Filed by the Procedure of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Rule 19 – The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks – Receiving Office
(1) With a view to patenting inventions in other states by the procedure provided for by the PCT, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks acts as a receiving office for the international applications whose applicants are nationals of Romania, nationals of other states having their permanent domicile in Romania or Romanian and foreign legal persons having their registered office in Romania, in compliance with the provisions of the PCT and of the PCT Regulations.
(2) The international application is drawn up by the applicant in 3 copies, and shall meet the provisions of the PCT and PCT Regulations. The standardized form of the application is elaborated by the International Bureau of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and shall be filled in by the applicant by typing or by computer print-out in one of the languages: French, English, German or Russian. The description, claims and abstract shall be drafted in one of these languages, namely that chosen by the applicant.
(3) The Office ascertains if the international application documents meet the provisions of the PCT or PCT Regulations.
(4) In the international application, the applicant shall declare the inventors, shall indicate the designated states where he wants the protection of his invention and shall claim the priority dates of the earliest filing if appropriate.
(5) The international application shall be signed by the applicant or the authorized representative thereof; if the applicant will be represented by an authorized representative, the international application shall compulsorily contain the identification data of the representative.
(6) When the priority of one or more filings is claimed in the international application, the respective priority document or documents shall be filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks at the same time with the application, or subsequently sent by the applicant to the International Bureau of WIPO, within 16 months from the priority date of the patent application.
(7) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks checks if the international application is correctly drawn up, in compliance with the provisions of the PCT or PCT Regulations and notifies the applicant to make the required corrections within one month. If the applicant does not answer to the notification, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks considers the application abandoned and proceeds to the rejection thereof. The decision of estimating the corrections, as an ascertainment of the lack thereof, shall be taken as against the carrying out a reasonable international publication.
(8) Where the international application meets all the provisions of the PCT or PCT Regulations, it will be recorded in The Register of Filed International Applications and The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will accord the international filing date.
(9) The applicant of an international application is obliged to pay the fees in the currency established by the PCT Applicant's Guide.
(10) The document stating the payment of the fees regarding the international application shall be filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks either at the time of the international application filing or, at the latest, on a date on which The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks could observe the time limits provided for by the PCT and PCT Regulations for receiving the fees indicated in the PCT Applicant's Guide with the International Bureau of WIPO, International Searching Authority or International Preliminary Examining Authority.
If The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks does not receive the documents stating the payment of the fees provided for by the PCT procedure, it considers the international application as abandoned and suspends the procedure of handling thereof as an international application.
(11) The applicant together with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks decide on which international authority to carry out the procedures provided for in the PCT and PCT Regulations for the international application.
(12) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks as a receiving office transmits the international application to the International Bureau of WIPO and to the International Search Authority at the latest in the 12–th month from the international application date, or the 13–th if a priority is claimed.
Rule 20 – The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks – Designated Office
(1) Where in the international application of a foreign applicant, Romania is designated as the state where the protection of the applicant's invention is claimed, the applicant, through a representative authorized in Romania, will open in Romania the national stage of dealing with the international application, within 20 months from the international application priority date.
(2) Opening of the national stage is performed by filing with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks the form in which it is requested to open the national stage, accompanied by a copy of the international application, the translation into Romanian of the international application, meaning by this the description, claims, drawings, abstract of the invention and the document stating the payment of the national fees. The form for opening the national stage is published in the PCT Applicant's Guide.
(3) The patent application filing date will be the date of the international application and this date will be recorded in the National Register of Filed Patent Applications, according to Article 11.3 of the PCT.
(4) The national stage being opened, the international application will be subject to the procedures provided for by the national law with regard to the patent for inventions and by these Regulations.
(5) Where The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks ascertains the lack of the documents or notifications provided by the PCT and PCT Regulations (a copy of the international application, a notification stating Romania as a designated state, a notification concerning the filing of the priority documents with the International Bureau of WIPO, the notification concerning the Searching or the Preliminary Examining Authorities, the search report, the preliminary examination report if the applicant has chosen this procedure, etc), The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will inform the International Bureau about this and will request that the international application documentation should be completed.
(6) For opening the national stage, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks as a designated office shall not demand other requirements of form or content for an international application than the ones provided by the PCT or PCT Regulations.
(7) For the international application which started the national stage, the applicant shall furnish to The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks the translation, the claims as amended after the performance of the international search report, as well as the translation of the invention title, if the title was modified by the International Searching Authority.
In this situation, the amendments of the claims shall not go beyond the limits of the invention disclosed in the international application as filed with the receiving office.
(8) When the applicant does not furnish the translation of the claims as filed and as amended, pursuant to the provisions of PCT, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks invites the applicant to send the translation within 90 days, according to Rule 49.5 c – bis of the PCT Regulations corroborated with Article 29 of the Law. If within the time limit fixed in the invitation the missing translation is not furnished, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks considers the application abandoned and rejects it.
(9) The description and the claims of the international application for which the national stage was opened in Romania, translated into Romanian shall be published within 6 months from the date when the national stage was opened, if a priority was claimed, or within 18 months from the date when the national stage opened, pursuant to the provisions of Article 23 of the Law and of Rule 25 of these Regulations.
(10) The temporary protection provided by Article 35 of the Law starts, for the international applications, after the publication provided for in paragraph (9) above.
Rule 21 – The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks – Elected Office
(1) With a view to starting the national treatment of an international application, pursuant to Article 39 of the PCT, the applicant shall furnish, within 30 months from the international application priority date, when he also avails himself of an international preliminary examination report, the translation into Romanian of the international application, national fees and a copy of the international application, if the communication according to Article 20 of the PCT was not performed, as well as the printed form according to paragraph (2) of Rule 20 of these Regulations.
(2) Where an international preliminary examination report was established, the translation of amendments carried out by virtue of Article 19 of the PCT is required only if these amendments are attached to the report.
(3) If the applicant, in the conditions stipulated by the PCT, withdraws the demand for the international preliminary examination, or the election of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, this is not considered an withdrawal of the international application if Romania still remains a designated state.
Rule 22 – Treating the International Applications Revised by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks as a Designated Office
Where a receiving office refused to accord an international filing date, or declared that the international application was considered withdrawn or where the International Bureau of WIPO considers it withdrawn since the original copy was not received, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will treat that international application as a national application, if the applicant meets the provisions of Articles 14 and 16 of the Law, for filing thereof with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
CHAPTER II Examination of the Patent Applications
SECTION 1 Preliminary Examination
Rule 23 – Analysing the Regular National Filing
(1) After constituting the regular national filing pursuant to Article 14, paragraph 1 of the Law, the patent applications are subject to a preliminary analysis which shall state:
a) if the applicant is entitled to be granted the patent where he is another person than the inventor or the inventors;
b) the right of the authorized representative to represent the applicant before The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks;
c) if the inventors are declared;
d) if the conventional priority is correctly claimed and supported by the priority documents filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks;
e) if the payment of the fees corresponds with the procedures requested in the patent application;
f) the fulfillment of the conditions of form of the patent application;
g) the fulfillment of the conditions prescribed for drawing up the description, claims and drawings;
h) the fulfillment of the conditions prescribed for other documents or acts which are attached to the patent application;
i) if the patent application containing a group of inventions meets at first sight the unity of the invention.
(2) If, following the analysis of the patent application filing and of the documents attached, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks ascertains irregularities concerning the fulfillment of the provisions of the Law and of these Regulations, they shall be notified to the applicant who will be given a time limit to prepare the answer.
(3) No procedure concerning the patent application filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will start if the requested documents and the proof of payment of fees were not furnished within the time limits provided by the Law and these Regulations.
Rule 24 – Classification of the Patent Applications
The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks classifies the patent application according to the claims and the subject-matter of the invention, within 30 days from the regular filing date, by using the international patent classification (the edition in force) and the classification indices of the invention are written on each patent application.
SECTION 2 Publication of the Patent Application
Rule 25 – Publication Conditions
(1) The patent application for which the regular national filing was constituted, fees were paid and The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks took no decision is published within the time limit provided for in Article 23 or 24 of the Law, as the case may be.
(2) The time limit for furnishing the document stating the payment of the publication fee is of three months from the filing, for the applications claiming a priority, or of 6 months for the other patent applications.
The patent application publication fee is not paid in the case of the patent applications for which the substantive examination was demanded at the time of the filing, or for those demanding the urgent examination up to the sixth month from the regular filing date; for these procedures, the other corresponding legal fees shall be paid.
(3) Where the patent application publication procedure was not explicitly demanded, the payment of the publication fee represents the applicant's consent for this procedure to be carried out.
(4) If within the time limit provided for at paragraph (2) the publication fee is not paid and the applicant did not request the substantive examination of the patent application, the application is considered abandoned and it is rejected.
(5) If the applicant paid the examination fee between the 4–th through the 6–th months from the regular filing date, without paying the publication fee, this shall be notified to the applicant, stating precisely that The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks does not proceed to the substantive examination, the applicant being given a new time limit of 30 days, within which he could choose one of the following versions:
a) to pay the publication fee;
b) to communicate his accord concerning the amount of the publication fee taken by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks from the examination fee paid, having the obligation to complete the examination fee with a view to carrying out the substantive examination;
c) to pay the fee for maintaining the patent application in the confidential regime.
(6) If within the time limit given by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks according to paragraph (5), the applicant does not act as per any of the versions a), b) or c), the patent application is considered abandoned and it is rejected and the examination fees are refunded to the applicant.
(7) The following patent applications will not be published:
a) the patent application rejected or withdrawn within the time limit from the regular filing date up to the 15–th month;
b) the patent application for which the applicant requested the examination at the time of the patent application filing or within 3 months from the regular filing date, paid the examination fees and The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks took the decision to grant a patent of invention;
c) the patent application for which the urgent examination was requested up to the 6–th month from the regular filing date;
d) the patent application complying with the provisions of Article 44, paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Law, and for which the legal fee for maintaining the secret status was paid for the first year from the filing date.
(8) If, after the preliminary examination, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks ascertains that the patent application is obviously lacking unity, it notifies this to the applicant giving him a time limit of up to 60 days for dividing thereof prior to the publication.
If the applicant fails to make the division up to this date, the patent application is published in the form lacking the unity.
(9) If up to the 15–th month from the regular filing date, after the preliminary examination, the applicant files amendments and completions to the description, claims or drawings with the view to the publication, the applicant shall either send to The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks the retyped pages including the amendments or completions or reformulate the whole documentation which is to be published.
Rule 26 – Date of Publication
(1) The patent application publication is made by depositing thereof in the reading room of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, or by printing the description, claims and drawings of the invention.
(2) The patent application as published contains a part edited by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, containing the reference data of the patent for invention and the abstract accepted by the applicant, and a part containing the description, claims and, as the case may be, the illustrative drawings drawn up by the applicant according to the provisions of these Regulations.
(3) If the applicant brought amendments or completions to the description up to the 16–th month from the regular filing date, and the substantive examinations was not demanded, the amendments and the completions are published at the same time with the patent application.
(4) The publication fees for the applications provided for in Article 44, paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Law shall be paid by the applicant or his successor in title within three months of the date on which their secret status was discontinued; The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks publishes the patent application within two months after the fee is paid.
(5) The patent applications published in the conditions pursuant to Article 23 of the Law shall temporarily benefit from the protection provided by Article 35 of the Law from the date when the regular filing was constituted.
The scope of the temporary protection given under the provisions of Article 35 of the Law is determined only by the contents of the claims as they were published in the patent application.
(6) If by the decision of the court it is ascertained that the inventor is another person than the one written in the patent application published, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks executes the decision and publishes the modification.
Rule 27 – Search Report
(1) Upon request by the applicant, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks draws up a search report of the patent application based on the claims, description and drawings, if the following requirements are met cumulatively:
a) a regular filing date was given;
b) the fees for the publication and drawing up the search report have been paid;
c) the patent application has not been withdrawn or rejected.
(2) The patent application search report is published.
(3) The search report contains documentary materials selected from the prior art, materials available with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks at that date.
To assist in the elaboration of the search report, the applicant may file with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks public documentary material ava search report. In order to carry out the search report, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks does not confine itself to the materials transmitted by the applicant.
(4) The search report fee may be paid up to the 9–th month from the regular filing date, in which case the report shall be published together with the application; for the patent applications whose fees are paid between the 9–th and the 18–th months, the search report shall be published subsequently to the publication of the application.
(5) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks refunds the search report fee to the applicant and does not accomplish the report in respect of the inventions provided for by Articles 12, 13 or 18 of the Law.
(6) Where the patent application is not published pursuant to Article 23 or Article 44 paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Law and the fee was paid for the search report, this fee shall be refunded to the applicant, or, with his consent, the due fee shall be transferred for other procedures.
(7) The search report quotes the public documents from the prior art which may be taken into account to assess the novelty of the invention in connection with the claims they refer to, indicating, if necessary, the pertinent parts of the document referred to.
(8) The search report shall contain the international patent classification indices for the searched field or fields.
(9) If, during the process of performing the search report, the patent application is ascertained to contain two or more inventions, therefore it does not meet the unity of the invention requirement, according to Article 19, paragraph 1 of the Law and The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks failed to notify the applicant about this after the national regular filing was constituted, the lack of unity of the invention shall be notified when found out, requiring from the applicant:
a) the additional payment for carrying out the search report for the other inventions too;
b) to indicate that invention or group of inventions in the filing for which the search report may be carried out according to the paid fee.
If, within the time limit given by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, the applicant failed to pay the due fee and to indicate the selected invention, the search report will be performed for the first invention or claimed unitary group of inventions.
10) The search report is transmitted to the applicant together with copies of the cited documents containing up to 20 pages. Upon request, the applicant is transmitted, against payment, other copies of the documents quoted in the report.
11) The publication date of the report is the publication date in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property where there are presented the patent applications for which The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks carried out a search report.
12) After the publication of the patent application and of the search report, the applicant may ask to amend the claims. These amendments are filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks and shall be analysed during the substantive examination if such examination was demanded according to Article 26 of the Law.
SECTION 3 Substantive Examination of the Patent Applications
Rule 28 – Conditions for Starting the Substantive Examination
1) The Procedure for the substantive examination of a patent application starts when one of the following conditions are met:
a) the examination was demanded in writing within 30 months from the regular filing date and the examination fee was paid within 3 months from the demand for the examination;
b) the document stating the payment of the examination fee was filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks within 30 months from the regular filing date.
2) The time limit of 18 months for performing the substantive examination of the patent application according to Article 29 paragraph 1 of the Law starts from the date of fulfilling one of the requirements provided for in paragraph 1, a) or b) of this Rule.
3) Depending on the moment when the substantive examination of the patent was demanded, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will proceed as follows:
a) if the demand for the examination was made at the time of filing the patent application or within three months from the regular filing date and the fee was paid within this time limit, the patent application is not published and The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will take a decision within 18 months from the regular filing date; when the examination fee is not paid within three months from the regular filing date, the application will follow the publication procedure, pursuant to Article 23 of the Law;
b) if the demand for the examination was made between the 4–th and the 30–th months from the regular filing date and the examination and publication fees have been paid, the patent application will be examined within 18 months of the date on which the examination was demanded, and the application follows the publication procedure provided for in Article 23 of the Law;
c) if the urgent examination is demanded and the corresponding fee has been paid, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall examine the patent application within 6 months from the filing date of the document stating the payment of the urgent examination fee; the patent application publication will be conditioned by the date on which the urgent examination was demanded, namely if this is performed up to the 15–th month from the regular filing date, the patent application shall not be published and after this month it shall follow the publication procedure according to Article 23 of the Law.
4) If, after the publication, another person demands the substantive examination, this fact shall be notified to the applicant.
5) If the patent application is withdrawn after the examination procedure started, the examination fees shall not be refunded.
6) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks carries out the substantive examination of the patent applications from each field, in the order of the regular filing date and of the fulfillment of the provisions of these Regulations.
Rule 29 – Disclosure of the Invention
1) The disclosure of the invention in the description, claims and drawings shall meet the requirements of Article 18 of the Law.
2) If The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks finds out that the invention is not sufficiently disclosed, this shall be notified to the applicant.
3) Where the applicant, on his own initiative, or at the request of The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, brings amendments to the description, drawings or claims, these amendments shall observe the provisions of Article 28, paragraph 3 of the Law.
4) The amendments or completions brought by the applicant will be accepted by The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks if:
a) they refer to elements existing in the description and drawings in the original filing and contain specifications and explanations concerning thereof;
b) they refer to the content of the claims, but are based on the elements existing in the description and drawings of the original filing;
c) they refer to the drawings, but are based on the elements existing in the description;
d) they are not contained in the original filing, but are not the object of the new claims, or they do not introduce new elements in the original claims, their purpose being to permit a good understanding of the invention or to extend the applicability of the invention.
5) If the amendments or completions brought by the applicant are not accepted, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall notify the applicant and shall proceed to the patent application examination taking into account the provisions of Article 10 of the Law and Rule 32 C of these Regulations.
6) If the amendments or the completions brought by the applicant are accepted, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall notify the applicant and shall ask him to remake the pages of the description or drawings containing the amendments or completions.
Rule 30 – Prior Art
1) The prior art used for comparison with the invention in order to establish the novelty thereof contains the knowledge available to the public anywhere in the world prior to the date of the regular filing or recognized priority, provided that the date of making it available to the public be identifiable.
2) The patent applications published in compliance with Articles 23 and 24 of the Law belong to the prior art.
3) If an application is withdrawn, abandoned or rejected prior to its publication, it is not considered to belong to the prior art.
4) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks does not take into consideration the disclosure made within 12 months preceding the date of the patent application filing, or the recognized priority date if this disclosure:
a) is made by the inventor or his successor in title;
b) is made by a third party and the inventor or his successor in title send a written confirmation to The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, stating that said information was obtained directly or indirectly from him.
5) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks does not take into account the disclosure by the publication of the patent application in compliance with Articles 23 and 24 of the Law, if the inventor or his successor in title, within 12 months from the publication, claims in a new patent application parts which were not claimed in his first published patent application.
Rule 31 – Unity of Invention
1) The patent application shall relate to one invention only or to a group of inventions so linked as to form a single general inventive concept.
2) The unity of the invention allows that in a single patent application there could be included:
a) independent claims of various categories;
b) independent claims of the same category;
c) dependent claims.
3) If a patent application relates to a group of inventions, the unity of invention is observed if at least one of the following requirements are met:
a) the group of inventions contributes to solving the same technical problem;
b) determines the same technical effects;
c) there is a technical interdependence between them;
d) at least one of the inventions in the group cannot be carried out or applied individually;
e) the lack of at least one invention in the group makes any other invention of the group inapplicable.
4) In a patent application relating to a group of inventions and which meet the requirements of paragraph 3 of this Rule, independent claims of various categories are accepted, grouped in one of the following possibilities:
a) an independent claim for a given product, an independent claim for a process specially designed for obtaining the product and an independent claim for the product utilization;
b) an independent claim for a given process and an independent claim for means specially designed for achieving the process;
c) an independent claim for a given product, an independent claim for a process specially designed for obtaining the product and an independent claim for means specially designed for achieving the process.
5) In a patent application relating to a group of inventions meeting the requirements of paragraph 3 of this Rule, two or more independent claims of the same category are accepted (example: product, process, means of utilization) only if they cannot be covered entirely by a single generic claim.
6) If a patent application relates to two or more inventions not complying with the requirement of unity of the invention, pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Rule, the patent application lacks the unity and in order to protect all the inventions it is necessary to divide the patent application.
7) When it is ascertained that the patent application lacks the unity, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks notifies the applicant or his successor in title about this.
The applicant has the possibility to divide the application and to file with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks a divisional patent application for each invention or group of inventions which meet the requirement of unity of the invention and has the obligation that within 6 months from the date when the examination is demanded to file a written option and a description, claims and drawings for the invention which shall be examined in the original filing.
If there is no such option, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall examine the first invention claimed, or the first group of inventions meeting the unity of invention requirement.
8) The divisional patent applications may be filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks up to the moment of taking a decision concerning the original filing; under these circumstances the divisional applications filed will benefit from the filing date of the application from which they were divided, and from the right of priority thereof as well, provided that the applicant should observe the limits of the disclosure thereof in the first filing for each divisional invention.
Where multiple priorities were claimed in the original patent application, the applicant shall indicate the corresponding priority for each divisional application.
9) Where, up to taking a decision about the first filing, the applicant has not filed divisional patent applications, the inventions not observing the unity requirement will remain in the description but without being the object of the claims.
10) The lack of unity of the invention may not be set forth within the actions for revocation or cancellation of a patent of invention.
Rule 32 – Examination of the Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Patentable Invention
A. Novelty
1) The novelty of a patentable invention is established in compliance with the provisions of Article 8 of the Law as against the contents of the claims and the field of application specified in the description.
2) For establishing the novelty of an invention, the documents from the prior art can be taken into account only individually for each invention (the materials from the prior art are not opposable in the mozaic system).
3) In a group of inventions observing the requirement of unity of the invention, the materials from the prior art shall be taken into account individually for each invention.
4) The contents of the patent applications as filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks which have a regular filing date or an earlier priority date and which became public prior to or after the date of a subsequent application, are a part of the prior art used for establishing the novelty.
5) Pertinent materials are considered those materials from the prior art whose contents cover partially or totally the protection demanded by the applicant in the claims.
6) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks notifies the pertinent documentary material from the prior art considered to cover partially or totally the new elements claimed in the patent application to the applicant or his successor in title.
The notification shall be attended by a copy of the documentary material and shall contain a commentary concerning the elements from the claims which are found in the material.
The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall accord the applicant a period of time for preparing an answer. If the applicant answers within the time limit showing his concern to support his patent application, The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will continue the correspondence with the applicant until all the objections are cleared with a view to taking the right decision. The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks cannot take any decision if the documentary material was not transmitted to the applicant.
B. Inventive Step
(1) The inventive step is assessed as against the claims and the technical problem which is solved by the invention, in compliance with the provisions of Article 9 of the Law.
(2) For assessing the inventive step, the prior art is established from which a mosaic of technical solutions is formed which is compared as a whole with the claims. The patent applications filed with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks which became public after the filing date of the application submitted to the examination are not taken into account when assessing the inventive step even if their filing date is previous.
If after analysing all the solutions contained in the prior art it results that a person skilled in the art, without resorting to an inventing activity, may come to the solution which is the subject matter of the patent application, then this subject matter does not involve an inventive step.
(3) An invention is considered to involve an inventive step if at least one of the following requirements are met:
a) it is not an obvious result of the prior art in the application field of the invention or in a field related to it;
b) a person skilled in the art, using the knowledge from the prior art cannot solve the problem in the way the invention does;
c) the necessity of solving the problem has existed for a long time and the known solutions are not at the level of the solution proposed by the invention;
d) the invention is used with or without modifications in another field for solving another problem, the technical effect being either the same, or unexpected or superior to the effects obtained by other inventions in the field where the invention is used, provided that the two fields should not be close to each other;
e) it consists in combining the known elements in the prior art, so that a functional organic connection, a reciprocal influence, an interaction or interconditioning result, this leading to obtaining a positive global effect;
f) the subject-matter of the invention is an analogous process which achieves a new technical effect or by this process a new substance with new, unexpected or superior qualities is obtained or if the raw materials are new even if the technical effects obtained are the same.
(4) An invention does not involve an inventive step if:
a) it consists of a mere enunciation of a technical problem without solving it, even if the problem is new;
b) it solves only a problem concerning the economy of materials or energy, optimization of sizes or reduction of costs, without obtaining new or superior technical effects;
c) it solves the problem only by a mere substitution of the materials with known characteristics which leads to predictable effects;
d) the problem refers only to a modification of shape or aspect for aesthetic purposes;
e) it solves the problem by a simplification, without maintaining at least the performances known from the prior art;
f) the problem is solved by equivalent means existing in the prior art and leads to obtaining the same effects;
g) the problem is solved by jointly employing two or more known solutions and if the predictable technical effect results by merely summing up the effects of each solution (juxtaposition of known solutions);
h) it solves a problem in the field of chemistry or biology consisting in a selection of an individual case from a multitude of components, previously protected, without this selected case leading to special qualities or effects in comparison with those of the multitude of components from which it was selected;
i) the solving of the problem relates to choosing a corresponding known material and/or to the carrying out of some constructive alterations according to rules known in themselves;
j) the invention relates to a natural product upon which no technological modifications are performed.
(5) Where after the substantive examination it is assessed that the subject matter of the invention does not meet the requirement of the existence of an inventive step, this shall be notified to the applicant who shall be transmitted the materials from the prior art that are taken into account when assessing the inventive step and a time limit for preparing an answer is given.
C. Industrial Applicability
(1) An invention is susceptible of industrial application pursuant to Article 10 of the Law if from the description of the invention the following result cumulatively:
a) the subject-matter of the invention may be used at least in one field;
b) the technical problem and the solving thereof;
c) the disclosure of the invention in the embodiments so that a person skilled in the art could achieve the invention without resorting to an inventive activity according to Article 18 of the Law;
d) the invention may be reproduced with the same characteristics and effects whenever necessary.
(2) If after the substantive examination it ascertained that the description of the invention presented by the applicant does not meet one of the requirements provided for in para (1) above this shall be notified to the applicant giving him a time limit for preparing an answer.
Rule 33 – Improvement Patent
(1) The applicant of an improvement patent may be the owner of a patent in force or a third party.
(2) The applicant shall explicitly specify in the patent application that the invention improves on another invention, indicating the data necessary for the identification thereof.
(3) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall notify the provisions of Article 36 of the Law to the applicant where the applicant is not the same person as the owner of the patent in force.
(4) The description of an improvement invention shall as a rule contain in the chapter “prior art” the same materials as the ones taken into account in the description of the invention on which it improves, if between their regular filing dates no other pertinent material appeared.
(5) When drawing up the claims of the improvement invention, the applicant shall specify, in the characterizing part, the new elements of the invention in technical interdependence only with those elements of the invention on which it improves and to which it applies, so that their organic connection should result.
(6) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks decides to grant an improvement patent in the same conditions as for the other patentable inventions, namely those provided by Articles 7, 8, 10, 18 and 19 of the Law.
(7) For examining the novelty of an improvement invention, the prior art cited in the description of the invention on which it improves, as well as the materials from the prior art that appeared between the filing dates of the two inventions shall be taken into account.
(8) During the examination of an application for an improvement patent, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks analyses, on the basis of the claims, if the invention may be applied independently from the invention to which the improvement refers.
(9) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks decides to grant an improvement patent only when the requirement of para (8) above is met and when the invention to which the improvement relates is protected by a patent in force.
Rule 34 – State Office for Inventions and Trademarks Notifications
(1) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall indicate the time limit for giving an answer in the notifications transmitted to the applicant. The applicant, for justified reasons, may request the extension of the time limit accorded for him to give an answer.
(2) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks cannot take decisions prior to the expiration of the time limit accorded for the applicant to give an answer.
(3) If within the fixed time limit the applicant fails to answer, the application is considered abandoned and shall be rejected.
SECTION 4 State Office for Inventions and Trademarks Decisions
Rule 35 – Board of Examination
(1) After the examination of the patent application in compliance with the provisions of the Law and of these Regulations, the specialist examiner draws up the examination report on the basis of which the Examination Board of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks takes the decision to grant a patent or to reject a patent application.
(2) Where appropriate, the board shall take notice of the withdrawal of the patent application.
(3) The Examination Boards of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks are established according to the field of activity.
(4) The Examination Board consists of a Chairman appointed by the Director General and two members appointed by the Head of the specialist Examining Division.
(5) The specialist examiner who draws up the examination report is not a member of the Examination Board.
(6) All the decisions taken by the Board shall be communicated to the applicant or to his successor in title within 30 days after the date of taking thereof and they shall be registered in the National Register of Patent Applications.
(7) The decisions to grant a patent are published in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property within 30 days.
(8) Starting with the date of publication of each Official Bulletin of Industrial Property, the patented inventions which are given notice of in the respective Bulletin, shall be published by making the description, claims and drawings available to interested parties, at the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks headquarters, for a six-month period after this date.
(9) The description and the drawings of the invention to be published after taking the decision to grant a patent shall have the approval of the applicant or of his successor in title with regard to the contents.
SECTION 5 Attacking the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks Decisions by Administrative Procedure
Rule 36 – Appeal and Request for Revocation
(1) Any interested party may formulate appeals against or requests for revocation of, the decisions of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks regarding patent applications within the time limits provided for by the Law and by these regulations.
(2) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks decisions may be appealed against by the applicant within three months from the communication, pursuant to Article 55 of the Law.
(3) According to Article 56 of the Law, any interested party may request the revocation, either full or partial, of the decisions to grant a patent within six months of the publication of the description, claims and drawings, for failure to comply with any of the requirements provided for in Articles 7 to 11 of the Law.
The request for revocation shall expose in detail the substantiating grounds and public documents, without being possible to claim the non-observance of formal or procedural conditions.
A copy of the request for revocation shall be notified by the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks to the applicant so that he may present his arguments; the notification shall indicate the time period of solving the request for revocation during which the applicant shall communicate his point of view.
Rule 37 – The Board of Reexamination of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks
(1) The appeals and requests for revocation are solved by the Board of Reexamination consisting in a Chairman and 2 – 4 members appointed by the Director General of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks.
(2) The Chairman of the Board of Reexamination is the Director General of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks or his authorized representative.
(3) The Board of Reexamination shall be composed of persons other than those of the Board of Examination who made the decision appealed against. Members of this Board may be the Heads of the Divisions or deputies thereof or senior specialist examiners. One of the members of the Board shall be a legal adviser.
(4) The Board shall give the interested party the opportunity to express its view either represented or personally or assisted.
(5) The patent application file shall be submitted to the Board of Reexamination by the Chairman of the Board of Examination and by the examiner who, pending the decision, shall present a written point of view regarding the formulated appeal or request for revocation.
(6) The Board of Reexamination may decide:
a) to accept the appeal or the request for revocation deciding to grant the patent or to reject the patent application, or to submit the case to reexamination by the qualified department of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks;
b) to reject the appeal or the request for revocation.
(7) The decisions of the Board of Reexamination shall be made with a majority of votes and shall be communicated within 15 days.
(8) The decision of rejection made by the Board of Reexamination may be appealed against before the Municipal Court of Bucharest within three months of communication.
(9) The Board of Reexamination shall be able to take notice of the irregularities of any procedure a patent application is being made subject to and of the decisions made and shall proceed accordingly pursuant to Article 30 of the Law.
(10) The appeals formulated under the incidence of Law 62/1974 shall be solved by the Board of Reexamination.
SECTION 6 Issue of a Patent
Rule 38 – Requirements for the Issue of a Patent
(1) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall issue the patent under the terms of Article 31 of the Law unless the decision to grant a patent was revoked under the terms of Article 56 of the Law and if the legal fee for printing and issuing the patent was paid by the owner.
(2) The patent owner shall pay the patent printing and issuing fee within six months of the publication of the decision.
(3) Within three months after the decision to grant a patent became final, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall print the description, claims and drawings in fascicle and shall issue the patent to the patent owner.
(4) After the issue of the patent, the patent owner shall owe the patent maintenance fees as from the regular filing date to the issue of the patent according to the Law. These fees shall be paid at one time for the whole period, within three months of the patent issue date.
(5) Where the patent owner fails to pay the patent maintenance fees pursuant to para (4) above, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall publish the lapse of the patent in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property immediately after the expiration of the time limit. The patent owner may apply to the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks for reinstatement of the patent under the provisions of Article 40 of the Law.
CHAPTER III Protection by a Patent for New Varieties of Plants and New Animal Breeds
Rule 39 – Definitions
Variety means a plant grouping within a single botanical taxon of the lowest known rank, which grouping meet the conditions for the grant of a patent with the recognition of the breeder's right:
– defined by the expression of the characteristics resulting from a given genotype or combination of genotypes;
– distinguished from any other plant grouping by the expression of at least one of the said characteristics;
– considered as an entity with regard to its suitability for being propagated unchanged.
Breed means an animal grouping within a known species or variety of animals of the lowest rank, which grouping meet the conditions for the grant of a patent with a recognition of the breeder's right.
Propagating material for the plant varieties means seeds, nursery transplants, material to be planted, various parts of a plant used for the propagation.
Reproduction material for breeds means embryos, sperm, living animals, eggs used for reproduction.
Breeder means a person who bred or discovered and developed a variety or a breed. When more persons contributed thereto all are considered breeders.
Breeder's right means the exclusive right of a patent owner to exploit the invention whose subject matter is a plant variety or an animal breed.
Maintainer is the natural or legal person responsible for maintaining a variety or a breed; in that case, the owner of a patent may be the breeder, the natural or legal person who was transmitted this right or his successor in title.
Rule 40 – Competences
(1) According to the Law, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks grants patents for invention for new varieties of plants and breeds of animals if these meet the provisions of Article 7, para 3 and Article 11 of the Law.
No other condition may be imposed for the grant of a patent for invention if the applicant meets all the formalities provided for by these Regulations.
(2) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks considers that the provisions of Article 7 para 3 and Article 11 of the Law are met if they were confirmed in writing by the competent authorities who have the responsibility to check and test the new varieties or breeds.
(3) By the grant of a patent for invention, the right of the breed or variety breeder is recognized for a period of minimum 20 years, which right shall be written down in the patent issued.
(4) When the new variety of plant or breed of animal were bred by the breeder who is an employee, in the conditions provided by Article 5 para 1 letter a) or para 2 of the Law, the owner of the patent for invention shall be the enterprise which bred the variety or breed, this having been recognized the breeder's right for the variety or breed, with the legal obligation to pay an equitable additional compensation to the breeder of the variety or breed, the said compensation being established by the additional act to the individual labour contract thereof.
Rule 41 – Conditions for the Existence of a Patentable Invention the Subject-Matter of Which is a Variety or Breed
A. Novelty
(1) The variety or breed shall be deemed to be new within the meaning of Article 7, para 3 and Article 11 of the Law if, at the date of filing the application for the grant of a breeder's right, the harvested propagating material has not been sold or otherwise disposed of to third parties by, or with the consent of, the breeder, in the following circumstances:
(i) in the territory of Romania earlier than one year before the patent application filing date;
(ii) in the territory of other states earlier than four years before the patent application filing date or, in the case of trees, fruit-trees and vines earlier than six years before the patent application filing date.
(2) The fact that a variety is known or its existence has been disclosed does not make it lose its novelty within the meaning of para (1) above.
B. Distinctness
(1) The variety or breed shall be deemed to be distinct if they are clearly distinguishable from any other variety or breed whose existence is a matter of common knowledge at the time of the filing of the application.
(2) In particular, the filing of an application or the entry of a variety in the official register of varieties in any other country shall be deemed to render that other variety a matter of common knowledge from the date of regular filing of the application, provided that the application leads to the granting of a breeder's right or from the date of entering that variety in an official register of varieties, as the case may be.
C. Uniformity
(1) The variety or breed shall be deemed to be uniform if, subject to the variation that may be expected from the particular features of their reproduction or propagation, they are sufficiently uniform in their relevant characteristics.
D. Stability
The variety or breed shall be deemed to be stable if their relevant characteristics remain unchanged after repeated propagation or, in the case of a particular cycle of propagation, at the end of each such cycle.
Rule 42– Filing and Publication of the Patent Application
(1) Filing and publication of the patent application are performed by observing the provisions of the Law and of these Regulations, with the following additional requirements:
a) the variety or breed shall be individualized by denomination, as provided for by the regulations, both in the patent application and in the description and claim;
b) to meet the requirement of unity of the invention, separate patent applications shall be drawn up for each variety or breed identified by their denomination;
c) the patent application shall be accompanied by a statement of the applicant showing that the variety or breed have not been offered for sale or marketed in Romania earlier than one year before filing the application with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, or earlier than four years before filing the application abroad;
d) the applicant shall attach to the patent application a declaration concerning the carrying out of tests according to the provisions of Article 7, para 3 of the Law. If there are such tests they shall be attached thereto and they shall be issued by a competent authority;
e) the description and claims shall be accompanied, if necessary, by colour or black-and-white photos of the variety or breed with the indication of the colour code;
f) the priority documents, in the case of foreign applicants who have made a first filing in another country member of the Paris Convention, shall contain the results of the tests performed by the competent authority concerning the observance of provisions of Article 7, para 3 of the Law.
(2) The description of the variety or breed shall be drawn up so as to show the characteristics and the conditions imposed by Article 7, para 3 and Article 11 of the Law, in the following chapters exposed successively in the order below:
a) Title (denomination) of the new variety or the new breed
The title shall contain the generic designation of the new variety or the new breed, the scientific designation in Latin (genus, species, subspecies, variety, co-variety), in compliance with the international code for the nomenclature of the cultivated plants and breeds of animals.
b) Field of activity with the indication of the taxonomic position
This chapter shall contain the manner of breeding the new variety of plant or breed of animal (crossing, selection, etc), field of application (agriculture, vegetable growing, fruit growing, flower growing, viticulture, sericiculture, zootechny, etc.).
c) Prior art
This chapter contains a brief presentation of the varieties or breeds of the same category, which they resemble and could be confounded with. The morphological, physiological, biochemical and production characteristics of these varieties and breeds shall be presented briefly as the case may be.
d) The problem solved by the invention
This chapter presents the problem solved by the new variety of plant or breed of animal and which may relate to the following main problems:
– high and secure production;
– increased resistance to unfavourable natural factors;
– increased resistance to patogenic agents (diseases and pests);
– increasing the percentage of useful matter, etc.
e) Presentation of the technical solution
This chapter presents the important morphological, physiological, biochemical characteristics which are distinct, uniform and stable of the new variety or new breed of animal.
f) Presentation of photos (figures)
High quality photos illustrating the aspect of the whole plant and of the representative component parts (branches, leaves, inflorescences, flowers, whole and sectional fruit, seeds), if necessary for the identification, shall be attached to each description.
Other aspects may be added thereto, if the author deems this to be necessary. The same thing is also valid for the new breeds.
When colours or hues are claimed, colour photos shall be compulsorily attached to the description.
g) Detailed description of the new variety or new breed of animal (embodiment)
This chapter shall contain, in the first part, the place and manner of obtaining a new variety of plant or new breed of animal (genitors, working manner, breeding and selecting works and working diagrams).
The description shall be in compliance with the norms established by the competent authorities pursuant to the international standards.
The physiological characters, the resistance to climatic factors, to diseases, to falling, precocity, vegetation period, to shedding, biochemical ones (taste, fragrance, scent) as well as the content in the chemical elements and the production on the surface unit shall be presented.
It is recommended that within the descriptions the hues of colours should be presented as colour indices, according to an official catalogue.
The main advantages obtained by cultivating the new variety or breed according to the invention shall be presented declaratively, without explanations, in this chapter, without indicating the economic and social values.
(3) The claims shall meet the following requirement:
– to be clear, concise, to reflect the distinct morphological and physiological characteristics of the variety or breed which individualizes them and which shall be uniform and stable;
– in the preamble of the first independent claim, the denomination of the variety or breed shall be written with the taxonomic denomination of the species, as well as the elements from the first stage of the description; after the expression: “characterized in that...” the relevant morphological characteristics permitting to individualize the new variety or breed shall be shown;
– in the second claim, dependent upon the first, the physiological characteristics shall be presented;
– in the third claim, dependent on the first and second, the biochemical and technological characteristics shall be presented.
Other dependent claims describing in detail the independent claims to which they relate or which can present a method or procedure of using the said variety or breed or other characteristics may be formulated.
(4) The abstract of the invention shall contain the complete denomination of the new variety or breed, including the taxonomic denomination, field of application, the main morphological, physiological and technological features which individualize them.
Rule 43 – Denomination of the Variety or Breed
(1) The variety of plant or breed of animal shall be designated by a denomination destined to their generic identification and designation.
(2) The denomination shall not contain only numbers, except for the cases in which this practice is recognized for the designation of the said varieties or breeds. This shall not mislead or give birth to confusions regarding the characteristics, value or the identification of the breed, variety or regarding the identification of the producer. The denomination shall be different from other existing ones.
(3) The denomination of the variety or breed is indicated by the producer at the time of filing the patent application. If the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks finds out that the denomination does not meet the requirements of para (2) above, the filing of the denomination is refused and the producer shall propose another denomination, within two months from the filing of the patent application.
The denomination of the variety or breed shall be written in the patent issued.
(4) Prior rights of third parties shall not be affected if, by virtue of a prior right, the utilisation of the denomination of variety or breed is forbidden to a person who, in accordance with para (6) below, is obliged to use it; in that case, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall ask the applicant to give the variety or breed another denomination.
(5) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall register the denomination as requested by the foreign breeder except where this denomination is unsuitable within the territory of Romania and, in the latter case, it shall require the breeder to submit another denomination.
(6) Any other person who offers for sale propagating material of a variety or breed protected in the territory of Romania shall be required to use the denomination registered with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks even after the expiration of the breeder's right, except where, in accordance with the provisions of para (4) above, prior rights prevent such use.
(7) Where the applicant failed to indicate the denomination of the variety or breed in the patent application and/or description, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall notify the applicant about this, offering him a time period to complete the patent application with the denomination proposed.
(8) When the denomination proposed does not meet the requirements of paras (1) to (7), the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall notify the applicant, inviting him to change the denomination within the time limit accorded. If the applicant fails to answer the invitation within the time given, the patent application for the variety or breed shall be rejected.
(9) When a variety or breed are offered for sale, these may be attended by a mark, commercial denomination or other similar indications which permit to be easily recognized.
(10) For marketing a new variety or breed for which the breeder's right is granted, the propagating material shall be visibly labelled so that it should be easily recognized and/or may be attended by a distinctive sign.
(11) The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall publish the denominations of varieties or breeds in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property.
Rule 44 – Tests for Varieties and Breeds
(1) Where upon filing the patent application the applicant declares that the variety or breed has been checked and tested by the competent authority, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall immediately invite the applicant to transmit the necessary documents to the competent authorities and to inform the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks in writing about the date when these documents were filed. At the same time, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall notify the date of the filed patent application to the competent authority.
(2) The competent authority shall establish the place and date of testing the variety or breed, shall notify this to the applicant and may, at the same time, ask the applicant to do the following within a time limit:
a) to furnish the materials for the growth tests;
b) to furnish the information for carrying out the growth tests for the given variety or breed;
c) to designate the quantity and nature of the propagating material necessary for the tests;
d) the kind of tests and standard methods to be applied.
(3) The authority responsible for performing the tests shall periodically inform the applicant about the stage and problems occurring during the tests, asking him to give technical assistance, as the case may be.
(4) Upon finishing the tests, the authority responsible with the tests shall draw up a report containing:
a) test results;
b) morphological and physiological characteristics of the variety or breed, analysed in comparison with those of their genitors;
c) conclusions concerning the provisions of Article 7 para (3) and Article 11 of the Law.
This shall be transmitted in copy, under signature, directly to the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks and to the applicant, within two years from the start of the tests.
(5) Within two months from receiving the report, the applicant has the possibility to express his view about the results transmitted by the said authority.
(6) If said authority fails to comply with the time limits for performing the tests, or in case of litigation, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall resort to other qualified authorities in the country or from abroad with a view to carry out these tests.
(7) Where the authority responsible to carry out the tests itself is the applicant of a patent for invention, the report concerning the test results shall be approved by another competent authority in Romania.
(8) In the examination procedure, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall take into account the tests performed by other competent authorities from abroad if these are parties to the treaties or international conventions to which Romania is also a party or based on reciprocity.
Rule 45 – Examination of the Patent Applications the Subject– Matter of which is a Variety of Plant or Animal Breed
(1) The substantive examination of the applications is performed after checking the conditions stipulated by Rule 28.
(2) The substantive examination of the patent applications whose subject matter is a variety of plant or a breed of animal consists in analysing the fulfillment of the conditions provided for by Article 7 para (3) and Article 11 of the Law and in observing the provisions of the rules concerning the growth tests carried out by the competent authorities as well.
(3) Where it is ascertained that the provisions provided for in para (1) above are met, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks takes the decision to grant a patent; otherwise, the patent application shall be rejected.
(4) For other procedures than those provided in this Chapter, the provisions of the regulations concerning the examination of the patent application shall be applied.
Rule 46 – Rights and Obligations Resulting from the Protection of Varieties and Breeds by a Patent for Invention
(1) In compliance with Articles 34 and 35 of the Law, the following acts in respect of the propagating material shall require the authorization of the breeder or of his successor in title:
(i) production or reproduction (multiplication);
(ii) conditioning for the purpose of propagation;
(iii) offering for sale;
(iv) selling or other forms of marketing;
(v) exporting;
(vi) importing;
(vii) stocking for the purposes presented above.
(2) The breeder or his successor in title may give his authorization subject to certain conditions and limitations.
(3) In compliance with Articles 34 and 35 of the Law, the acts in respect of the harvested material stipulated at para (1) (i – vii) also require the authorization by the breeder or his successor in title.
(4) The provisions of paras (1) to (3) of this Rule also apply for:
(i) varieties or breeds deriving from a protected variety or breed, except where the protected variety or breed itself did not result from derived varieties or breeds;
(ii) the varieties or breeds which are not clearly distinguishable, namely they do not comply with the provisions of Article 7, para (3) of the Law and of Rule 46 of these Regulations;
(iii) the varieties or breeds whose production requires the repeated use of a protected variety or breed;
(iv) the derived varieties or breeds which may be obtained by the selection of a natural or induced mutant, or of a somaclonal variant, the selection of a variant individual from plants of the original variety, backcrossing or transformation by genetic engineering.
Rule 47 – Exceptions to the Breeder's Right
(1) The breeder's right shall not extend to:
(i) acts done privately and for non-commercial purposes;
(ii) acts done for the purpose of breeding other varieties or breeds, according to the previous rule;
(iii) acts done for experimental purposes
(2) The breeder's right shall neither extend to the acts done by small farmers who buy propagating material from a protected variety or breed for propagating purposes on their own holdings.
Rule 48 – Obligations of the Patent Owner
The owner of a patent for a variety or breed is obliged to be the maintainer throughout the validity of the protection, namely he shall have propagating material.
If during the protection period the owner cannot furnish the propagating material upon request by the competent authority, this authority shall notify the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks about the lapse of the patent.
The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall write the lapse of the patent in the Register of Patents and shall publish it in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property.
CHAPTER IV Dispositions for Applying Article 5 of the Law – Employees' Inventions
Rule 49 – Employee's Right to the Patent
(1) The right to the patent, in the case of the inventions created by an employee, shall belong to the employee, in the following situations:
a) there is a stipulation in the contract by which the employee has the right to the patent;
b) the invention was created in the conditions of Article 5 para (1) letter b) of the Law and there is no contrary clause in a contract concerning the employee's inventions;
c) the invention carried out by the employee during an employment contract has no connection with the activity of the enterprise and was not created in the course of the employee's duties;
d) the invention is created in one of the situations provided for by Rule 40 and the employee has informed the enterprise in writing according to the provisions of Rule 50 but, within 60 days from the date the information was made, the enterprise has not filed the patent application with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks and there is no other agreement between the parties;
e) the enterprise is not interested, according to the provisions of Article 65 paragraph 2 of the Law.
Rule 50 – Right of the Employer to the Patent for Invention
(1) According to Article 5 of the Law, the right to the patent for invention, in the case of the inventions created by the employees, shall belong to the employer, in the following conditions:
a) the invention has been created in the course of a contract which provides for the performance of an inventive mission. The contract with inventive mission may be an individual labour contract concluded upon employment, or a renewed employment contract if an inventive mission occurs.
The inventive mission will make the object of a special stipulation of the contract, by which there shall be explicitly established the technical field, the technical problem or problems which the employee takes the obligation to solve with a creative contribution corresponding to his position;
b) the invention has been created within a research contract.
The research contract shall stipulate that the right to be granted a patent belongs either to the employer who commissioned the research, or to the research institution, or to both.
If the research contract has no such stipulation, the right to be granted a patent belongs to the employer who commissioned the research.
c) the invention has been created according to the conditions of Article 5 paragraph 1 letter b) of the Law, and in a contract concluded with the employee there is a stipulation by which the right to be granted a patent for invention belongs to the employer.
Rule 51 – Relations between the Employees – Inventors and the Employer
1) The employee, author of an invention, shall immediately inform in writing the manager of the enterprise where he works about the invention created in the conditions provided for by Article 5 of the Law.
2) Where the invention has been created by more inventors, information shall be jointly made by all the inventors or their legal representative.
3) The information shall contain sufficient data to permit the employer to include the invention in one of the categories provided for in Article 5 of the Law and in Rules 40 and 50.
The information shall contain:
– the subject-matter of the invention and the application field;
– the conditions in which the invention has been created;
– inclusion of the invention created by the employee-inventor in the provisions of Article 5 of the Law.
4) The information shall be attended by a description of the invention, where the employer has the right to be granted the patent for invention.
The description shall present the problem taking into account the prior art, the proposed solution and an embodiment of the invention.
5) The information concerning the invention is performed personally to the employer by registered letter, so that it may constitute the proof that the employer has been informed with the observance of the confidential character.
6) The time limit of 60 days provided for in Article 5 paragraph 5 of the Law starts from the date of filing of the information attended by the description.
7) The employer and the employee have not come to an agreement concerning the right to be granted a patent, the litigation falls under the jurisdiction of the court, pursuant to Article 61 of the Law. In this case, with a view to ensuring the protection of the invention, the patent application shall be filed with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks by the inventor prior to notifying the court, the inventor having the obligation to inform the employer.
8) In all cases, failure to inform mutually, shall bring about the responsibility for prejudices caused according to Article 5, paragraph 4 of the Law.
9) During the procedure up to the publication of the patent application, the employer and the employee shall refrain from any disclosure of the invention.
10) In the case of an invention created according to the provisions of Article 5, paragraph 1, letter b) of the Law, for which the employee has the right to be granted a patent, the employee has the obligation to make the first offer for a licence or for assignment to the employer whose employee he is.
Following the offer, the employer shall show an interest for acquiring the rights within 3 months from the offer, within a contract concluded with its employee.
If within this time period the employer has not shown its interest, the inventor, who is the owner of the patent has the right to exploit his invention according to a contract concluded with a third party.
If the employer has shown its interest, but the parties did not arrive at an agreement concerning the price of the contract, the litigation shall be solved by the court, pursuant to Article 61 of the Law.
11) The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Romanian Intelligence Service shall elaborate the methodology concerning the inventions created within their field of activity, by observing the provisions of Article 5 of the Law and of these Regulations.
Rule 52 – Pecuniary Rights of the Employees – Inventors
1) In the case of the inventions for which the employer has the right to be granted a patent, according to Rule 50, the inventor – who is the employee thereof – has the right to benefit from an additional remuneration stipulated by the contract which provides for the performance of an inventive mission, or by another additional act to the individual labour contract, according to Article 5, letter c) of the Law.
2) The amount of the additional remuneration, the manner and terms of payment are established by negotiation between the parties.
The additional remuneration may consist in a fixed amount, irrespective of the application of the invention and of royalties.
3) When the invention has been created under a research contract, the additional remuneration which an employee-inventor has to receive, shall be negotiated with the employer whose employee he is, by means of an additional act to the individual labour contract, according to Article 5, paragraph 2 of the Law.
CHAPTER V The Remuneration of the Inventors According to Article 66 of the Law
Rule 53 – Inventions Exploited and Not Rewarded or Partially Rewarded
1) Within the meaning of Article 66, paragraph 2 of the Law, the remuneration to which the inventor is entitled for the inventions not rewarded or partially rewarded, before the coming into force of the present Law, shall contain all the material rights provided for by the previous laws, including also the equivalent remuneration for the other legal rights resulting from the status of author of an invention, exploited in the national economy.
These pecuniary obligations have not been fulfilled as a result of the failure to observe the legal and contractual duties resulting from the assignment act concluded with regard to the right to be granted a patent, by the state represented by the employers who are the owners of the patents, or by the employers who exploited the invention.
2) When the remuneration provided for in Article 66, paragraph 2 of the Law is negotiated, the following may be used:
a) post-calculation of the economic advantages per year obtained by the use of the invention, drawn up by the employer who exploited the invention.
Where the post-calculation is not drawn up at the date of coming into force of these Regulations, the employer who exploited the invention has the obligation, upon the inventor's request, to elaborate and to approve the post-calculation;
b) the economic or social advantages estimated by the employer where it is not possible to perform a direct post-calculation of the economic advantages (difference between the costs, elimination or reduction of the imports, etc).
3) With a view to starting the negotiation, the inventors, based on the post-calculation drawn up by the employer who exploited the invention, request the employer to give them the remuneration to which they are entitled, by filling in and submitting the calculation note (appendix 1 or appendix 2 of these Regulations), depending on the date of filing the patent application with The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, namely before or after the 2–nd of February, 1975.
4) The total written in the calculation note (the first part of appendix no. 1 or 2) represent the minimum from which the negotiation may start.
The results of the negotiation are written in the negotiation note (the second part of appendix 1 or 2), which are signed and constitute a contract concluded according to the legal provisions.
5) If the parties do not come to an agreement after the negotiations, the litigation is of the competence of the court.
HOTARARE Nr. 152 din 27 martie 1992
pentru aprobarea Regulamentului de aplicare a Legii nr. 64 din 11 octombrie 1991 privind brevetele de inventie
ACT EMIS DE: GUVERNUL ROMANIEI
ACT PUBLICAT IN: MONITORUL OFICIAL NR. 79 din 30 aprilie 1992
Guvernul Romaniei hotaraste:
ARTICOL UNIC
Se aproba Regulamentul de aplicare a Legii privind brevetele de inventie, anexa la prezenta hotarare.
PRIM-MINISTRU
THEODOR STOLOJAN
Contrasemneaza:
Ministrul invatamantului si stiintei,
Mihail Golu
ANEXA 1
REGULAMENT DE APLICARE A LEGII NR. 64/1991 PRIVIND
BREVETELE DE INVENTIE
CAP. 1
Procedura de inregistrare a cererilor de brevet de inventie
SECTIUNEA 1
Dispozitii generale
Regula 1 - Brevetarea inventiilor
Brevetarea inventiilor se face conform dispozitiilor Legii nr. 64 din 11 octombrie 1991, cu respectarea conventiilor, tratatelor si acordurilor la care Romania este parte.
Prezentul regulament stabileste modul de aplicare a Legii privind brevetele de inventie.
Regula 2 – Definitii
Termenii folositi in acest regulament au urmatorul inteles:
prin lege se intelege Legea nr. 64/1991 privind brevetele de inventie;
prin O.S.I.M. se intelege Oficiul de Stat pentru Inventii si Marci;
prin inventator se intelege persoana care a creat inventia;
prin succesor in drepturi se intelege orice persoana fizica sau juridica careia i s- au transmis fie dreptul la eliberarea brevetului de inventie, fie drepturile care decurg dintr-un brevet de inventie eliberat;
prin solicitant se intelege persoana fizica sau juridica care cere eliberarea unui brevet de inventie;
prin titularul brevetului se intelege persoana careia ii apartine dreptul conferit prin brevet;
prin unitate se intelege persoana juridica care functioneaza legal;
prin publicare se intelege facut accesibil publicului;
consilier in proprietate industriala este persoana specializata in acordarea asistentei in domeniul proprietatii industriale (inventii, marci, desene, modele etc.), care desfasoara legal aceasta activitate;
prin mandatar autorizat se intelege consilierul in proprietate industriala care poate avea si calitate de reprezentare in procedurile in fata Oficiului de Stat pentru Inventii si Marci;
prin cerere de brevet se intelege cererea scrisa care contine solicitarea expresa a eliberarii unui brevet de inventie;
prin descriere se intelege prezentarea in scris a inventiei in conditiile art. 18 din lege;
prin revendicari se intelege prezentarea obiectului protectiei solicitate si a elementelor de noutate ale inventiei;
prin depozit reglementar se intelege cererea de brevet de inventie, insotita de descrierea inventiei, revendicari si, daca este cazul, de desene explicative;
prin proprietate se intelege data primului depozit al cererii de brevet, indiferent de autoritatea nationala competenta la care s-a facut depozitul cererii, in conditiile Conventiei de la Paris.
SECTIUNEA 2
Inregistrarea cererii de brevet de inventie
Regula 3 - Depunerea cererilor de brevet la O.S.I.M.
(1) Toate cererile de brevet de inventie depuse la Registratura generala a O.S.I.M. vor fi analizate in ziua depunerii.
(2) Depunerea unei cereri de brevet de inventie la O.S.I.M. se poate face:
a) direct la Registratura generala a O.S.I.M., deschisa publicului in fiecare zi lucratoare;
b) prin posta, trimisa recomandat cu confirmare de primire.
In ambele situatii, O.S.I.M. confirma solicitantului primirea cererii de brevet de inventie si conditiile in care a fost primita.
(3) Depunerea cererilor de brevet de inventie din domeniul apararii si sigurantei nationale create pe teritoriul Romaniei se face conform legislatiei in vigoare.
(4) Celelalte cereri si documente depuse la Registratura generala privind procedurile in care se afla cererile de brevet de inventie vor fi analizate ulterior
datei inregistrarii lor, O.S.I.M. notificand petitionarului raspunsul sau in termen de 60 de zile.
(5) Orice scrisori sau documente depuse la registratura, referitoare la o cerere de brevet sau un brevet de inventie, va trebui sa indice numele si adresa petitionarului pentru corespondenta, cat si numarul de inregistrare al cererii sau numarul brevetului de inventie la care se refera; in caz contrar, O.S.I.M. nu da curs solicitarii, acestea fiind clasate sau restituite, daca petitionarul este identificabil.
(6) Daca se depun modificari sau completari descrierii, revendicarilor si/sau desenelor unei cereri de brevet inregistrate la O.S.I.M., acest fapt trebuie mentionat prin indicarea expresa "completare la cererea de brevet nr. ..../ din ........." si se vor depune paginile din descriere, revendicari si/sau desene dactilografiate continand modificarile sau completarile cerute; in caz contrar ele vor fi returnate solicitantului.
(7) Atunci cand legea sau regulamentul prevede ca o cerere sau un document sa fie inregistrat intr-o anumita forma, aceasta cerere sau document trebuie inregistrata in forma prescrisa.
Daca cererea de brevet sau alt document nu indeplineste conditiile prescrise, O.S.I.M. notifica solicitantului lipsurile, acordand un termen de corectare, cu exceptia cazului prevazut la regula 8 (4), cand cererea de brevet se returneaza solicitantului.
Toate notificarile O.S.I.M. vor fi motivate si vor contine temeiul legal.
(8) O.S.I.M. va inscrie pe cerere data primirii, numarul de la Registratura generala a O.S.I.M. si documentele primite, sub semnatura. Un exemplar al cererii astfel completat se va returna de indata solicitantului drept confirmare de primire. Data de receptie si numarul de la Registratura generala a O.S.I.M. se completeaza lizibil.
(9) Exemplarul cererii returnat va indica lipsurile constatate de O.S.I.M. la depunerea cererii de brevet si termenul in care acestea pot fi remediate.
(10) La depunerea unei cereri de brevet la O.S.I.M., solicitantul va preciza ca este indreptatit la eliberarea brevetului de inventie, va indica baza legala prin care este indreptatit sau va depune actele necesare care pot confirma acest fapt.
(11) In cazul in care, in perioada de la inregistrarea unei cereri de brevet de inventie pana la eliberarea brevetului, printr-o hotarare judecatoreasca se stabileste ca o alta persoana decat solicitantul sau succesorul sau in drepturi este indreptatita la eliberarea brevetului, O.S.I.M. va executa hotararea respectiva.
(12) Taxa de inregistrare a cererii de brevet de inventie este datorata de solicitant o data cu depunerea cererii de brevet la O.S.I.M. Daca solicitantul a platit taxa de inregistrare inainte de depunerea cererii de brevet, el va preciza aceasta in cerere, anexind o copie a documentului de plata.
(13) Daca la depunerea cererii de brevet de inventie solicitantul nu a platit taxa de inregistrare, aceasta taxa poate fi platita in termen de 3 luni de la data depozitului national reglementar, cu o majorare legal stabilita; in caz contrar cererea de brevet de inventie se considera abandonata si se respinge
(14) Orice document de plata in care nu sunt inscrise datele de identificare a cererii de brevet sau a brevetului de inventie (cel putin numarul cererii sau brevetului) se claseaza ca martor si suma va fi restituita numai in cazul in care platitorul poate fi identificat prin nume si adresa. In cazul restituirii sumei, aceasta va fi diminuata cu costul serviciului postal.
Regula 4 – Termene
(1) Termenele stabilite pe zile cuprind zile calendaristice si nu includ nici ziua cand a inceput si nici ziua cand s-a sfarsit termenul. Termenele stabilite pe ani, luni sau saptamani se sfarsesc in ziua anului, lunii sau saptamanii corespunzatoare zilei de plecare.
(2) Termenul, care incepand la 29, 30, 31 ale lunii, se sfarseste intr-o luna care nu are asemenea zi, se va socoti implinit in prima zi a lunii urmatoare. Termenul care se sfarseste intr-o zi de sarbatoare legala sau cand serviciul este suspendat se va prelungi pana la sfarsitul primei zile de lucru urmatoare.
(3) Termenele incep sa curga de la data comunicarii actelor de procedura, intelegand prin comunicare data la care notificarea O.S.I.M. a fost depusa la oficiul postal.
(4) Actele de procedura, trimise prin posta la O.S.I.M., se socotesc indeplinite in termen, daca au fost predate la oficiul postal inainte de implinirea lui.
(5) O cerere de prelungire a unui termen pentru raspuns la notificarea O.S.I.M. trebuie sa poarte data oficiului postal sau a Registraturii O.S.I.M. in interiorul termenului scadent si va depinde de motivele pentru care se cere aceasta prelungire.
(6) O.S.I.M. va notifica in scris solicitantului acceptul sau respingerea cererii de prelungire a termenului.
(7) Neindeplinirea actelor de procedura in termenele legale nu atrage sanctiunile prevazute de lege si prezentul regulament, daca solicitantul dovedeste ca a fost impiedicat printr-o imprejurare mai presus de vointa lui si daca indeplineste procedura intr-un termen de 2 luni de la incetarea cauzei.
Regula 5 - Reprezentarea prin mandatar autorizat
(1) Depunerea cererii de brevet de inventie la O.S.I.M. sau reprezentarea solicitantului in procedurile in fata O.S.I.M. se poate face prin mandatar autorizat, cu domiciliul sau sediul in Romania.
(2) In cazul in care solicitantul brevetului de inventie este reprezentat prin mandatar autorizat, acesta poate semna cererea de brevet pe baza unei procuri scrise.
(3) In procedurile in fata O.S.I.M., solicitantul sau titularul strain poate fi reprezentat numai de un consilier in proprietate industriala, autorizat.
(4) Potrivit art. 43 din lege, consilierul in proprietate industriala poate asigura, la cerere, asistenta persoanelor fizice si juridice romane si straine si le reprezinta in fata O.S.I.M., potrivit prevederilor contractului incheiat cu clientul.
Reprezentarea se asigura din imputernicirea si in limitele mandatului stabilit prin contract cu persoanele interesate in scopul dobandirii, apararii si revendicarii drepturilor privind inventiile, desenele si modelele industriale, marcile de fabrica, de comert si de serviciu sau alte drepturi de proprietate industriala. Reprezentarea persoanelor fizice si juridice in fata O.S.I.M. se face prin procura scrisa.
(5) Asistenta juridica a solicitantului sau titularului in fata instantelor judecatoresti este conditionata de calitatea de avocat sau consilier juridic.
(6) Consilierul in proprietate industriala se supune numai dispozitiilor legale si este obligat sa actioneze cu buna-credinta si probitate profesionala.
Acesta este obligat sa nu divulge datele si informatiile primite de la client. Nu va fi considerata divulgare informarea consilierului de catre client in exercitarea functiei de reprezentare.
(7) Poate fi consilier in proprietate industriala cetateanul roman, cu domiciliul in Romania, care indeplineste cumulativ urmatoarele conditii:
- poseda diploma de absolvire a unei institutii de invatamant superior tehnic sau juridic;
- are o vechime in profesii tehnice sau juridice de cel putin 5 ani;
- nu are antecedente penale;
- se bucura de o buna reputatie;
- a fost declarat reusit la examenul pentru aceasta profesie organizat de O.S.I.M.
(8) Profesia de consilier in proprietate industriala poate fi exercitata numai dupa ce persoanele reusite la examen au fost inscrise, la cererea lor, in Registrul national al consilierilor in proprietate industriala si dupa ce, pe baza adeverintei de inscriere eliberata de O.S.I.M., s-au inregistrat la Primaria municipiului Bucuresti, Sectiunea financiara.
Lista consilierilor in proprietate industriala se publica in Buletinul Oficial de Proprietate Industriala.
(9) Examenul pentru profesia de consilier in proprietate industriala se sustine in fata unei comisii alcatuite din 5-7 membri, al carei presedinte este directorul O.S.I.M. Membrii comisiei sunt numiti de Consiliul de administratie al O.S.I.M.
Din comisie pot face parte specialisti cu vechime de cel putin 5 ani din cadrul O.S.I.M., cadre didactice universitare, experti.
(10) Exercitarea profesiei de consilier in proprietate industriala este incompatibila cu calitatea de salariat al O.S.I.M.
(11) Radierea din Registrul national al consilierilor in proprietate industriala se poate face la solicitarea persoanei in cauza, cat si de catre O.S.I.M., atunci cand persoana nu mai indeplineste una din conditiile prevazute la pct. (7).
(12) Incalcarea cu vinovatie de catre consilierul in proprietate industriala a obligatiilor profesionale si a normelor de conduita constituie abatere disciplinara, care se sanctioneaza, dupa caz, cu: avertisment, radierea temporara pe o perioada de pana la 5 ani sau radierea definitiva din Registrul national al consilierilor in proprietate industriala.
Sanctiunea disciplinara se stabileste si se aplica de o comisie numita in acest scop de conducerea O.S.I.M. Impotriva sanctiunii de radiere se poate face plangere la instantele judecatoresti in termen de 30 de zile de la comunicarea deciziei de sanctionare.
Radierea va fi operata numai dupa ramanerea definitiva a hotararii.
Regula 6 - Limba oficiala
Toate cererile de brevet de inventie si corespondenta referitoare la acestea vor fi intocmite si depuse la O.S.I.M. in limba romana.
Regula 7 - Confidentialitatea cererii de brevet de inventie.
Regimul secret
(1) Datele continute in cererea de brevet de inventie sunt confidentiale pana la publicarea acesteia de catre O.S.I.M., divulgarea lor fara acordul inventatorului sau succesorului sau in drepturi fiind interzisa, indiferent de modul in care persoanele au luat cunostinta de ele si oricare ar fi calitatea acestora (mandatari, consilieri in proprietate industriala, orice persoana din situatiile prevazute la art. 5 si art. 18 alin. 2 din lege). Divulgarea inainte de publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie se pedepseste conform Codului penal.
(2) O.S.I.M. asigura confidentialitatea cererilor de brevet de inventie de la data depunerii acestora la Registratura generala a O.S.I.M. pana la publicarea lor in conformitate cu art. 23, art. 44 alin. 1 si 3 si se sanctioneaza conform art. 60 din lege.
(3) In conformitate cu art. 44 alin. 2 din lege, atribuirea caracterului de secret descrierilor de inventii din domeniul apararii si sigurantei nationale create pe teritoriul Romaniei revine Ministerului Apararii Nationale, Ministerului de Interne, Serviciului Roman de Informatii, prin reprezentantii lor oficial desemnati.
(4) Reprezentantii Ministerului Apararii Nationale, Ministerului de Interne si Serviciului Roman de Informatii au obligatia respectarii dispozitiilor legale si a angajamentelor semnate de O.S.I.M. privind manipularea, confidentialitatea si pastrarea secretului cererii brevetului de inventie.
Atribuirea caracterului de secret se face numai pentru cererile de brevet de inventie din domeniul apararii si sigurantei nationale, in termen de 15 zile de la data depozitului reglementar, prin aplicarea pe documentatia cererii de brevet de inventie a stampilei cu inscrisul "Secret" si semnatura in clar (numele si prenumele) a reprezentantului care a atribuit acest caracter; in caz contrar, O.S.I.M. urmeaza procedurile prevazute de prezentul regulament.
(5) Institutia care a atribuit caracterul de secret unei cereri de brevet de inventie, in termen de 60 de zile de la data atribuirii, va plati o taxa anuala de mentinere in regim secret si va informa solicitantul.
(6) Ministerul Apararii Nationale, Ministerul de Interne sau Serviciul Roman de Informatii vor putea mentine o descriere in regim secret numai pe perioada pentru care a achitat taxa anuala corespunzatoare mentinerii in acest regim. Regimul secret inceteaza prin neplata taxei sau prin hotararea scrisa a Ministerului Apararii Nationale, Ministerului de Interne sau Serviciului Roman de Informatii de la data primirii acesteia la O.S.I.M.
(7) In conformitate cu art. 44 alin. 2 din lege, Ministerul Apararii Nationale, Ministerul de Interne sau Serviciul Roman de Informatii vor acorda o compensatie materiala echitabila solicitantului brevetului de inventie stabilita prin contract pe toata perioada de mentinere in regim secret a inventiei.
(8) Ministerul Apararii Nationale, Ministerul de Interne sau Serviciul Roman de Informatii, pentru cererile de brevet de inventie provenite din unitatile lor, vor stabili caracterul de secret, dupa caz, inaintea transmiterii lor la O.S.I.M., transmiterea in acest caz facandu-se prin posta speciala, in conditiile legislatiei in vigoare.
(9) O.S.I.M. va asigura conditiile necesare pentru pastrarea, accesul, manipularea sau orice alta activitate referitoare la cererile de brevet de inventie carora li s-a atribuit caracterul de secret, in conformitate cu prevederile legislatiei in vigoare privind apararea secretului de stat.
(10) Brevetarea in strainatate a inventiilor care fac obiectul cererilor de brevet de inventie se poate face numai dupa expirarea unui termen de 30 de zile de la data depozitului reglementar.
Regula 8 - Conditii minime pentru inregistrarea in Registrul national al cererilor de brevet de inventie depuse
(1) Cererile de brevet de inventie care indeplinesc conditiile art. 15 din lege si prevederile prezentului regulament vor fi inregistrate in Registrul national al cererilor de brevet de inventie depuse. Data de inregistrare la O.S.I.M. a cererilor de brevet de inventie este data primirii lor la Registratura generala.
(2) In conformitate cu art. 15 din lege, O.S.I.M. inregistreaza in Registrul national al cererilor de brevet de inventie depuse o cerere de brevet, daca sunt depuse cel putin urmatoarele documente:
a) o cerere, in limba romana, care sa contina solicitarea explicita a eliberarii unui brevet pentru o inventie al carei titlu este mentionat si datele de identificare a solicitantului;
b) un text care la prima vedere sa para descrierea inventiei.
Inregistrarea cererilor de brevet in Registrul national al cererilor de brevet de inventie depuse se face in ordinea numerelor si a datei depunerii la Registratura generala a O.S.I.M.
(3) Numarul din Registrul national al cererilor de brevet de inventie depuse si data inregistrarii se inscriu in cerere si pe prima pagina a fiecarui exemplar al descrierii, precum si pe plicul postal, daca cererea a fost transmisa prin posta. Acest numar este numarul cererii de brevet de inventie si va fi utilizat in toata corespondenta.
(4) In cazul in care nu sunt indeplinite cumulativ conditiile de la pct. (2) a) si b), cererile se primesc, nu se inregistreaza in Registrul national al cererilor de brevet de inventie depuse si documentatia se restituie, O.S.I.M. pastrind un exemplar martor. Exemplarul martor se pastreaza in regim confidential si poate fi consultat de catre solicitant.
Regula 9 - Data depozitului national reglementar
(1) Toate actele prevazute de art. 14 alin. 1 din lege, depuse la O.S.I.M., constituie depozitul national reglementar.
(2) Data depozitului national reglementar este data primirii la O.S.I.M. a tuturor documentelor prevazute de art. 14 alin. 1 din lege sau cea prevazuta de conventiile la care Romania este parte.
(3) In cazul solicitantilor straini care depun descrierile, revendicarile si desenele intr-o limba straina, data depozitului national reglementar va fi data primirii la O.S.I.M. a acestora, cu conditia ca in termen de 2 luni sa depuna si traducerea conforma in limba romana a documentelor respective, in 3 exemplare, semnate de mandatarul autorizat. In caz contrar, cererea se considera abandonata si se respinge.
(4) In cazul in care din cererea de brevet de inventie lipsesc revendicarile, acestea pot fi depuse in termen de 2 luni de la data inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie. In acest caz, data depozitului reglementar este data la care au fost depuse revendicarile.
Daca in termenul de 2 luni de la data inregistrarii, solicitantul nu depune revendicarile, cererea de brevet de inventie se considera abandonata si se respinge.
(5) Daca in descrierea inventiei se fac referiri cu privire la desenele explicative, dar acestea nu au fost primite la O.S.I.M. o data cu depunerea cererii de brevet, la alegerea solicitantului:
(6) orice referire din descriere cu privire la desene va fi considerata ca suprimata;
b) O.S.I.M. va examina numai acele parti din descriere care nu necesita desene;
c) data depozitului reglementar va fi data primirii desenelor la O.S.I.M., daca acestea au fost depuse in termen de 2 luni de la data inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie.
In cazul lit. a) si b), data depozitului reglementar va fi data depunerii cererii de brevet de inventie la O.S.I.M.
(6) In toate cazurile in care O.S.I.M. constata indeplinirea conditiilor prevazute la art. 14 alin. 1 din lege acorda data de depozit national reglementar pentru cererea de brevet de inventie, inscrie aceasta data in Registrul national al cererilor depuse la O.S.I.M. si notifica aceasta solicitantului in termen de 30 de zile.
(7) Acordarea datei de depozit pentru cererile de brevet de inventie divizionare sau de perfectionare se face in aceleasi conditii cu cele prevazute la pct. (1)-(5) de mai sus.
SECTIUNEA 3
Inventia brevetabila
Regula 10 - Conditii de brevetare
Pentru ca o inventie sa fie brevetabila, aceasta trebuie sa indeplineasca cumulativ conditiile prevazute de art. 7 alin. 1 din lege.
Inventiile avand ca obiect un nou soi de planta, un hibrid sau o noua rasa de animal trebuie sa indeplineasca cumulativ numai prevederile art. 7 alin. 3 din lege, completate cu regulile din capitolul III din prezentul regulament.
Regula 11 - Obiectul inventiei
(1) Obiectul inventiei brevetabile prevazut de art. 7 alin. 2 din lege poate fi din orice domeniu.
(2) Inventiile care au ca obiect un produs pot fi:
a) masini, aparate, scule, dispozitive, mecanisme, organe de masini, utilaje, agregate, instalatii, circuite si aparate electronice sau electrotehnice, sisteme de comanda sau de protectie, elemente de constructie, inclusiv materiale de constructii, mobilier, articole de uz casnic, jucarii, instrumentar medical, instrumentar pentru grafie, instrumente muzicale etc. Aceste produse vor fi definite tehnic prin elemente constitutive, rolul functional al fiecarui element, legatura dintre acestea, relatii constructive, functionale si de pozitie dintre elementele constitutive etc.;
b) substante chimice si biologice, cu exceptia celor care exista in natura si asupra carora nu s-a actionat printr-un efort creator. Aceste produse vor fi definite prin formula chimica si proprietatile lor fizico-chimice, curative, profilactice, insecticide, fungicide sau alte proprietati. Dupa caz, substantele chimice sau biologice se definesc si prin radicalii substituenti, structura moleculara, geometria, greutatea moleculara sau prin alte caracteristici care le individualizeaza sau le identifica;
c) c) amestecuri (fizice sau fizico-chimice) care se definesc prin componentele lor, raportul cantitativ al acestora, structuri, proprietati fizice sau chimice, dupa caz, prin alte proprietati care le individualizeaza si care le fac aplicabile pentru rezolvarea unei probleme;
d) microorganisme nou create sau izolate prin selectie cu efecte mutatorii; ele vor fi definite prin caracteristicile morfologice, taxonomice, biochimice sau fiziologice si efecte de cultura sau alte efecte specifice folosirii lor.
(3) Inventiile care au ca obiect procedee sau metode vor fi definite ca succesiuni logice de operatii caracterizate prin etape (faze), ordinea lor de desfasurare, conditiile initiale (materii prime, parametri), conditiile tehnice de desfasurare, mijloacele tehnice utilizate (utilaje, instalatii, dispozitive, aparatura, catalizatori), produsele sau rezultatele finale.
Sunt considerate procedee activitatile care au ca rezultat obtinerea sau modificarea unui produs.
Sunt considerate metode activitatile care au rezultate de natura calitativa (masurare, analiza, reglare, control, diagnosticare sau tratament medical).
Procedeele biologice sau genetice au particularitati specifice, si anume pentru procedeele biologice: indivizii de la care se porneste modul de actionare asupra acestora (selectie individuala, hibridare, poliploidie, transfer genetic, tratare cu agenti chimici sau fizici), conditiile de mediu in care se desfasoara, iar pentru procedeele genetice: separarea ARN si ADN, secvente ADN, modificare a secventelor ADN, clonare, sinteze ARN si ADN, acestea putand fi insotite de procese chimice sau biologice.
Metodele de tratament se definesc prin modalitatile specifice de interventie asupra organismelor vii: natura, mijloacele utilizate (aparatura, medicamente, agenti fizici, chimici si balneologici, dezinfectanti etc.), parametrii tehnici (doze, intervale de timp, durate, temperaturi, concentratii, parametrii agentilor fizici sau balneologici), calea de actiune sau de administrare.
Simpla posologie a unui medicament nu este brevetabila.
(4) Programele pentru calculator, in sine, nu sunt inventii. Protectia programelor pentru calculator se realizeaza prin alte forme de proprietate intelectuala. Totusi, nu pot fi excluse de la brevetare inventiile care intrunesc conditiile prevazute de art. 7 alin. 1 si 2 din lege, numai pentru faptul ca acestea contin si elemente sau programe pentru calculator.
SECTIUNEA 4
Cererea de brevet de inventie
Regula 12 - Formularul cererii de brevet de inventie
(1) Cererea pentru eliberarea unui brevet de inventie trebuie intocmita in 3 exemplare, pe un formular tip, imprimat sau dactilografiat, redactat in limba romana, a carui forma este prescrisa de O.S.I.M.
(2) Solicitantul sau mandatarul autorizat va completa formularul tip de cerere, prin dactilografiere sau de mina, clar si lizibil, la toate rubricile sale si va semna cererea.
Cand solicitantul este o persoana juridica, cererea va fi semnata de conducatorul unitatii si stampilata.
(3) Solicitantul va inscrie in cerere numele si adresa completa. Daca sunt mai multi solicitanti, se fac aceleasi mentiuni pentru fiecare.
Persoanele fizice trebuie sa fie numite cu numele de familie, urmat de renume, nationalitatea si indicarea tarii al carei cetatean este.
Persoanele juridice trebuie sa fie numite cu denumirea completa, localitatea si tara in care se afla sediul lor.
Solicitantul trebuie sa indice telefonul, telexul, faxul, in vederea unei comunicari corecte si rapide.
(4) Solicitantul trebuie sa ceara, expres, eliberarea brevetului de inventie, indicand titlul inventiei si sa arate ca este indreptatit la eliberarea brevetului de inventie.
Daca solicitantul brevetului de inventie este alta persoana decat inventatorul, se va indica, la cerere, temeiul legal in baza caruia poate solicita brevetul de inventie sau va depune actul prin care inventatorul i-a cedat dreptul, la eliberarea brevetului de inventie.
(5) In conformitate cu art. 14 alin. 2 din lege, solicitantul trebuie sa declare inventatorul sau inventatorii, daca acestia nu sunt aceiasi cu solicitantul. Declararea inventatorului se face prin indicarea numelui si adresei, locului de
munca, iar daca exista mai multi inventatori, solicitantul va inscrie in cerere, pentru fiecare, datele necesare.
(6) Daca solicitantul depune cererea de brevet de inventie printr-un mandatar autorizat, el va inscrie in cerere datele de identificare ale acestuia (nume, adresa, telefon, telex, fax, cont, cod). Daca mandatarul este si consilier in proprietate industriala, solicitantul ii poate permite sa semneze, in numele lui, cererea de brevet de inventie si sa-l reprezinte in fata O.S.I.M. in toate procedurile, in baza unei procuri scrise.
(7) Daca sunt mai multi solicitanti, iar acestia nu sunt reprezentati in fata O.S.I.M. printr-un mandatar autorizat, in cerere se va indica unul din solicitanti, care este desemnat pentru corespondenta cu O.S.I.M.; in caz contrar, O.S.I.M. va purta corespondenta cu primul solicitant inscris in cerere.
(8) Daca solicitantul doreste sa foloseasca dreptul de prioritate al unei cereri depuse anterior intr-o alta tara, la o administratie nationala, regionala sau internationala, va indica in cerere denumirea tarii sau administratiei, data depozitului si numarul depozitului.
Cand se invoca mai multe prioritati se inscriu in cerere datele de mai sus, pentru fiecare depozit in parte.
In cazul unei erori materiale, cand solicitantul a omis sa invoce in cerere prioritatea unui prim depozit anterior, acesta o poate face intr-un termen de maximum 2 luni de la data inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie. Daca in acest termen solicitantul nu invoca o prioritate, cererea de brevet de inventie va beneficia de prioritatea de la data inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie la O.S.I.M., in conformitate cu art. 17 din lege.
(8) In cererea de brevet de inventie se pot solicita, expres, urmatoarele proceduri:
a) publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie, intr-un termen mai scurt de 18 luni, conform art. 24 din lege;
b) efectuarea unui raport de documentare, in conformitate cu art. 25 din lege;
c) examinarea in fond, in conformitate cu art. 26 din lege.
Daca solicitantul nu inscrie nici o procedura in cerere, O.S.I.M. va considera, ca prima procedura pentru cererea de brevet de inventie, publicarea ei in termenul precizat la art. 23 din lege.
(9) Daca cererea nu este semnata, un exemplar din formularul cererii (alt exemplar decat cel prevazut la regula 3 (8)) va fi returnat de O.S.I.M. solicitantului, pentru ca acesta, in termen de 2 luni, sa il restituie semnat; in caz contrar cererea de brevet se considera abandonata si se respinge. Daca in acest termen cererea de brevet de inventie este trimisa la O.S.I.M., semnata, data depozitului va fi data inregistrarii cererii de brevet la O.S.I.M., sub conditia indeplinirii dispozitiilor art. 14 alin. 1 din lege.
Regula 13 - Descrierea inventiei
(1) Descrierea inventiei trebuie sa contina in mod succesiv, in ordinea de mai jos, urmatoarele:
a) titlul inventiei asa cum a fost indicat in cererea de brevet de inventie intr-o formulare clara si concisa a obiectului inventiei, fara sa o divulge;
b) precizarea domeniului tehnic, in care poate fi folosita inventia, fara sa divulge solutia;
c) prezentarea stadiului anterior al tehnicii, in masura in care solicitantul il cunoaste si il considera util pentru intelegerea inventiei, cu indicarea documentelor care stau la baza acestuia; se va prezenta cel putin o solutie considerata cea mai apropiata de obiectul inventiei; cand descrierea cuprinde un grup de inventii care respecta criteriul unitatii, pentru fiecare inventie din grup se va prezenta cate o solutie din stadiul tehnicii;
d) expunerea inventiei astfel incat sa fie inteleasa problema tehnica pe care o rezolva (chiar daca problema tehnica nu este in mod explicit mentionata) si solutia de rezolvare, asa cum este ea revendicata; expunerea va fi insotita si de avantajele inventiei, in raport cu stadiul tehnicii; in cazul in care descrierea cuprinde un grup de inventii care respecta criteriul unitatii, expunerea fiecarei inventii din grup se va face separat;
e) prezentarea pe scurt a fiecarei figuri din desenele explicative, daca acestea exista;
f) prezentarea detaliata a obiectului inventiei pentru care se solicita protectie, a modului sau de executare si folosire/functionare, intr-un mod
suficient de clar, complet si corect, cu trimitere si la desene, daca acestea exista, astfel incat o persoana de specialitate sa o poata realiza; prezentarea va fi sustinuta de exemple concrete de realizare; in cazul unui grup de inventii, care respecta criteriul de unitate a inventiei, se va prezenta cel putin cate un exemplu de realizare pentru fiecare inventie din grup;
g) indicarea in mod explicit, daca aceasta nu rezulta in mod evident din prezentarea detaliata conform lit. f) sau din natura inventiei, a modului in care inventia indeplineste conditia de aplicare industriala.
(2) In descriere pot fi prezentate modele si formule matematice, algoritmi, fara ca prezentarea obiectului inventiei in exemplul de realizare sa se bazeze exclusiv pe acestea.
Regula 14 - Descrierea unei inventii din domeniul biotehnologiilor
(1) Fac exceptie de la modul si ordinea de prezentare prevazute de regula 13 descrierile inventiilor care au ca obiect un nou soi de planta, un hibrid sau o noua rasa de animal si acestea vor fi descrise in cap. III al prezentului regulament.
(2) Daca obiectul inventiei pentru care se cere protectie este un microorganism, pe langa cele prevazute de regula 13, descrierea va trebui sa contina, in conformitate cu art. 18 din lege, caracteristicile morfologice, taxonomice si biochimice ale acestuia si cel putin un procedeu de obtinere a acestuia, plecand de la un microorganism cunoscut. Pentru indeplinirea conditiei prevazute la art. 18 alin. 2 din lege, trebuie indicata denumirea microorganismului, numarul si data sub care a fost inregistrat, precum si institutia sau autoritatea la care a fost inregistrat noul microorganism.
(3) Daca obiectul inventiei pentru care se cere protectie este un procedeu nou de obtinere a unui microorganism avand cel putin o caracteristica morfologica, taxonomica sau biochimica noua, descrierea va cuprinde, pe langa cele prevazute de regula 13, si urmatoarele:
a) in capitolul "stadiul tehnicii", indicarea denumirii microorganismului de la care s-a plecat in aplicarea noului procedeu, caracteristicile lui morfologice, taxonomice si biochimice si institutia sau autoritatea de depunere, cu nume si data depunerii;
b) in capitolul "exemplu de realizare", dupa descrierea procedeului, se va descrie microorganismul obtinut prin caracteristicile sale morfologice,
taxonomice si biochimice, cu precizarea acelor caracteristici ce fac obiectul inventiei si/sau efectele tehnice noi obtinute.
(4) Daca obiectul inventiei este un nucleotid sau o secventa de acizi aminati, se considera ca descrierea este dezvaluita in conformitate cu art. 18 din lege, numai daca in descriere se va indica succesiunea aminoacizilor in nucleotid sau secventa.
Regula 15 – Revendicari
(1) Revendicarile determina intinderea protectiei conferite prin brevetul de inventie si trebuie sa indeplineasca urmatoarele cerinte:
a) trebuie sa defineasca, in termeni tehnici, obiectul pentru care se solicita protectia si sa indice elementele tehnice ale inventiei;
b) trebuie sa se bazeze, in intregime, pe descrierea inventiei.
(2) Revendicarile trebuie sa contina:
a) un preambul indicand titlul inventiei, elementele tehnice ale acesteia, care sunt necesare pentru definirea obiectului inventiei si care fac parte din stadiul tehnicii;
b) o parte caracteristica, precedata de expresia "caracterizat(a) prin aceea ca" si in care se expun, in mod concis, elementele tehnice noi ce definesc inventia, impreuna cu elementele tehnice enuntate in preambul.
(3) Elementele noi sunt prezentate in partea caracteristica a revendicarilor, cu mentionarea legaturilor lor de interdependenta (constructiva, functionala, sinergica etc.), pastrindu-se aceeasi denumire a elementelor si aceeasi pozitionare din textul descrierii si desenelor.
(4) Functie de complexitatea inventiei pot exista mai multe revendicari; acestea pot fi independente sau dependente.
(5) Revendicarea independenta trebuie sa asigure protectia inventiei, in limitele pentru care aceasta poate fi realizata cu aceleasi efecte tehnice si, totodata, sa contina elementele noi suficient de conturate, astfel incat sa asigure reproducerea obiectului inventiei.
(6) Daca cererea de brevet de inventie se refera la mai multe inventii si unitatea inventiei este respectata, se redacteaza cate o revendicare independenta pentru fiecare inventie.
(7) Fiecare revendicare independenta poate fi insotita de un numar rezonabil de revendicari dependente, care sa se refere la aceasta si sa dezvolte sau sa expliciteze elemente tehnice, deja enuntate in revendicarea independenta sau varianta de realizare a obiectului inventiei, cu conditia respectarii unitatii inventiei.
(8) Daca cererea de brevet de inventie contine desene explicative, toate elementele tehnice mentionate intr-o revendicare vor fi insotite de semnele de referinta respective, plasate intre paranteze.
(9) Revendicarile nu vor contine desene sau grafice, linii de programe, subrutine sau programe de calculator. Revendicarile pot contine tabele, formule chimice sau matematice, care sunt esentiale pentru a defini noutatea inventiei.
Regula 16 - Desenele explicative ale inventiei
(1) Desenele sunt necesare in masura in care contribuie la intelegerea inventiei si a elementelor de noutate ale ei. Desenele trebuie sa contina semne de referinta (cifre si/sau litere) care sa indice elementele componente, corespunzatoare prezentarii lor in exemplul de realizare din descriere.
(2) Fila continand desene nu va depasi formatul A4 sau, in cazuri exceptionale, A3 si va putea fi din calc, carton alb sau alt suport, cu conditia ca desenul sa aiba contrastul necesar pentru reproducerea prin metodele electrostatice.
Filele nu vor avea chenar sau alte linii care sa delimiteze desenele.
Marginile minime libere ale filelor trebuie sa fie pe fiecare latura de 2,5 cm.
(3) Schemele si diagramele se considera desene. Tabelele nu se considera desene.
(4) Desenele nu trebuie sa contina texte, cu exceptia unui cuvant sau a unor cuvinte izolate - atunci cand acest lucru este absolut necesar - cum sunt "apa", "abur", "deschis", "inchis" etc., iar pentru schemele si diagramele ce ilustreaza etapele unui procedeu, cateva cuvinte cheie, absolut necesare
intelegerii acestora. Fiecare cuvant folosit trebuie asezat in asa fel in desen incat sa permita inlocuirea lui fara sa acopere nici o linie a desenelor.
(5) Semnele de referinta care nu sunt mentionate in descriere nu trebuie sa apara in desene si invers.
(6) Semnele de referinta ale acelorasi elemente trebuie sa fie identice in descriere, revendicari si desene.
Regula 17 - Conditiile de forma a cererii de brevet de inventie
(1) Cererea, descrierea, revendicarile si desenele se intocmesc pe file separate, de format A4 si se depun la O.S.I.M. in 3 exemplare.
(2) Toate filele cererii de brevet de investitie trebuie sa fie intocmite pe o singura fata a filei si in asa fel incat sa poata fi separate in vederea reproducerii lor.
(3) Toate filele se numeroteaza cu cifre arabe, in ordine crescatoare.
(4) Descrierea si revendicarile vor fi dactilografiate la 1 1/2 - 2 randuri.
(5) Nu se admit, pe file, stersaturi, corecturi, cuvinte scrise deasupra sau randuri intercalate. Daca, totusi, acestea exista, solicitantul va semna la locul/locurile modificate, pe exemplarul original.
(6) Fiecare pagina a descrierii, in exemplarul original, va fi semnata de solicitant.
(7) Este indicat sa se foloseasca termeni, semne si simboluri tehnice, care sunt, in general, acceptate in ramura respectiva.
(8) Unitatile de masura pentru greutati, temperaturi, densitati etc. trebuie sa fie exprimate in sistemul international, chiar daca in descriere se mentin si alte sisteme de masura.
(9) Pentru indicatiile privind caldura, energia, lumina, sunetul si magnetismul, ca si pentru formulele matematice si unitatile electrice, trebuie sa se respecte normele din practica internationala; pentru formulele chimice, trebuie sa se foloseasca simbolurile, greutatile atomice si formulele moleculare de uz general.
(10) Terminologia si semnele din cererea de brevet de inventie trebuie sa fie folosite uniform pe tot cuprinsul acesteia.
(11) Nu pot face parte din depozitul unei cereri de brevet de inventie si se restituie solicitantului urmatoarele: produsul realizat conform inventiei, machetele, proiectele de executie privind inventia etc.
(12) Cererea de brevet de inventie nu trebuie sa cuprinda:
a) expresii sau desene contrare bunelor moravuri si ordinii publice;
b) declaratii denigratoare cu privire la produse, metode sau procedee, la meritele ori valabilitatea cererilor sau brevetelor de inventie ale altei persoane; comparatiile cu stadiul tehnicii nu sunt considerate ca fiind denigratoare.
Daca, totusi, descrierea va contine expresiile nepermise indicate mai sus, O.S.I.M. va proceda la eliminarea lor din text.
Regula 18 - Alte documente anexate cererii de brevet de inventie, care nu conditioneaza data depozitului
A. Rezumatul inventiei
(1) Rezumatul trebuie sa indice domeniul tehnic caruia ii apartine inventia si sa fie astfel redactat incat sa se inteleaga clar problema tehnica si esenta solutiei date de inventie, precum si domeniul de folosire a inventiei.
(2) Rezumatul are in exclusivitate un rol de a servi ca mijloc de selectie a informatiilor tehnice pentru specialisti, in scopul luarii deciziei privind necesitatea consultarii descrierii inventiei si desenelor, publicate in extenso.
(3) Rezumatul inventiei anexat cererii de brevet de inventie nu poate fi luat in considerare pentru nici un alt scop, cum ar fi aprecierea intinderii protectiei.
(4) In final, se va preciza figura explicativa sau formula chimica care se doreste a fi publicata o data cu rezumatul; rezumatul va contine, intre paranteze, si semnele de referinta corespunzatoare elementelor de noutate existente in desene.
(5) Rezumatul va contine maximum 150 de cuvinte.
B. Procura
In cazul in care depunerea cererii de brevet de inventie se face prin mandatar autorizat, este necesara depunerea unei procuri, sub semnatura privata, la inregistrarea cererii sau in termen de 3 luni de la data depozitului; in caz contrar se notifica solicitantului ca, in lipsa procurii, cererea se considera abandonata si se va respinge.
C. Actul de prioritate
(1) In cazul in care au fost invocate in cererea de brevet de inventie una sau mai multe prioritati conventionale conform art. 20 sau art. 21 din lege, este necesar sa se depuna unu sau mai multe acte de prioritate, in cel mult 3 luni de la data constituirii depozitului reglementar, conform art. 22 din lege.
Nedepunerea actelor de prioritate in termenul de mai sus conduce la nerecunoasterea prioritatii invocate.
(2) O.S.I.M. poate cere solicitantului o traducere conforma in limba romana a certificatului de prioritate, daca aceasta este necesara in vederea recunoasterii prioritatii invocate.
(3) Actul de prioritate, conform art. 20 din lege, trebuie sa contina un certificat eliberat de administratia la care s-a constituit primul depozit, din care sa rezulte cel putin tara, data si numarul depozitului, datele de identificare a solicitantului si titlul inventiei. Certificatul va fi insotit de o copie a primului depozit. Actul de prioritate poate confirma depozitul unei cereri de brevet de inventie, al unei cereri de protectie, al unui model de utilitate sau al unei cereri pentru acordarea dreptului de ameliorator, in cazul unui soi de planta sau al unei rase de animal.
(4) Invocarea prioritatii conform art. 21 din lege se justifica cu certificatul de garantie, care trebuie sa cuprinda:
- numele si adresa administratiei care a organizat expozitia in care a fost expusa inventia;
- - denumirea expozitiei, adresa si data deschiderii acesteia;
- - numele, prenumele si adresa persoanei fizice sau sediul persoanei juridice care a depus obiectul in expozitie;
- - data la care s-a facut expunerea publica;
- - numarul si data certificatului de garantie;
- - o copie a descrierii obiectului expus, certificata de administratia expozitiei din care sa rezulte ca obiectul expus este identic cu cel descris si o traducere in limba romana a acestei descrieri.
(5) Conform art. 47 din lege, invocarea unei prioritati este supusa unei taxe care trebuie platita in termen de 3 luni de la data depozitului.
Daca in cerere sunt invocate mai multe prioritati, pentru fiecare prioritate invocata se va plati taxa legal stabilita.
Neplata taxelor in termenul prevazut va conduce la nerecunoasterea prioritatilor invocate.
(6) Cand pentru o cerere de brevet de inventie sunt invocate una sau mai multe prioritati, prioritatea poate fi recunoscuta numai pentru acele elemente continute in cererea primului depozit sau in cererile ulterioare invocate, cu respectarea conditiei de unitate.
(7) Daca unele elemente ale inventiei pentru care prioritatea a fost invocata nu figureaza in nici o revendicare formulata in cererea anterioara, prioritatea poate fi recunoscuta, daca din ansamblul cererii anterioare rezulta evident aceste elemente.
(8) Invocarea prioritatii va fi publicata de O.S.I.M. in conditiile art. 23 din lege.
(9) Pot fi invocate pentru o cerere de brevet de inventie mai multe prioritati ale unor cereri anterioare provenind din tari diferite.
(10) Daca pentru o cerere de brevet de inventie au fost invocate mai multe prioritati, termenele de la care incepe data de prioritate sunt calculate tinand cont de data de prioritate cea mai veche.
(11) Nu se admite invocarea mai multor prioritati in cascada.
(12) Atunci cand se invoca una sau mai multe prioritati si O.S.I.M. a solicitat traducerea certificatului de prioritate, solicitantul sau succesorul sau in drepturi va indica si pasajele din descriere, revendicarile si, daca este cazul, desenul sau desenele care corespund fiecarui act de prioritate.
D. Autorizatia privind dreptul la invocarea prioritatii
(1) In cazul in care solicitantul cererii de brevet de inventie invoca un drept de prioritate care apartine altei persoane, pentru recunoasterea prioritatii este necesara depunerea la O.S.I.M. a unei autorizatii din partea cedentului, din care sa rezulte ca solicitantul are dreptul sa invoce prioritatea primului depozit.
(2) Termenul de depunere a autorizatiei este de maximum 3 luni de la invocarea prioritatii; in caz contrar, O.S.I.M. nu recunoaste prioritatea invocata.
E. Actul de certificare a depunerii microorganismelor
(1) Daca cererea de brevet de inventie se refera la un microorganism, in conformitate cu prevederile art. 18 alin. 2 din lege, este necesara depunerea la O.S.I.M. a unui act care sa certifice depunerea microorganismului intr-o institutie nationala de depozit, desemnata de Guvern sau la o autoritate de depozit internationala.
Actul care atesta constituirea depozitului microorganismului, intr-o colectie nationala sau internationala, oficial recunoscuta, in cazul in care se solicita acordarea unui brevet de inventie pentru un nou microorganism sau un procedeu in care este folosit un microorganism, trebuie sa contina in mod obligatoriu urmatoarele:
- denumirea si adresa colectiei nationale sau internationale, oficial recunoscuta, la care s-a facut depozitul microorganismului;
- - data (anul, luna, ziua) depunerii microorganismului in colectia nationala sau internationala, oficial recunoscuta;
- - denumirea microorganismului;
- - numarul depozitului microorganismului;
- - caracteristicile morfologice, taxonomice si biochimice ale microorganismului inregistrat.
2 Din acest act mentionat la alineatul precedent trebuie sa rezulte ca microorganismul a fost depus la o institutie de depozit la o data anterioara datei de inregistrare a cererii de brevet de inventie la O.S.I.M.
(3) Actul prevazut la pct. (1) trebuie depus la O.S.I.M. pana la luarea unei hotarari; in caz contrar, cererea se considera abandonata si se respinge.
F. Declararea inventatorilor
(1) Daca in cerere nu au fost declarati inventatorii, solicitantul este obligat sa-i declare pana in luna a 15-a de la data depozitului reglementar sau de la data prioritatii invocate; in cazul cererilor de brevet de inventie care se incadreaza in prevederile art. 44 alin. 2 si 3 din lege, declararea inventatorilor se va face pana la publicarea sau pana la luarea unei hotarari de catre O.S.I.M.
(2) In cazul in care solicitantul nu raspunde la notificarea O.S.I.M. privind declararea inventatorilor la termenele prevazute mai sus, cererea de brevet de inventie se considera abandonata si se respinge.
(3) Declararea inventatorilor se face pe raspunderea solicitantului.
Litigiile intervenite intre solicitanti si inventatori privind declararea acestora sunt de competenta instantelor judecatoresti conform art. 61 din lege.
Hotararile definitive ale instantei se depun la O.S.I.M. de catre partea interesata, in vederea executarii lor.
(4) Inventatorul sau inventatorii, declarati de solicitanti, pot cere in scris la O.S.I.M. sa nu fie mentionati la publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie sau in brevetul de inventie.
(5) In cazul in care solicitantul cere modificarea colectivului de inventatori, acesta trebuie sa depuna la O.S.I.M. o declaratie autentificata, din care sa rezulte ca persoanele initial mentionate in cerere ca inventatori sunt de acord cu:
a) excluderea unuia sau mai multora dintre ei;
b) includerea altor persoane, ordinea in care acestia urmeaza sa fie inscrisi in brevetul de inventie, dovada acceptului inventatorilor inclusi, cat si acordul lor pentru transmiterea drepturilor catre solicitant.
Depunerea declaratiei la O.S.I.M. poate fi facuta cel mai tarziu pana la luarea hotararii de acordare a brevetului de inventie; in caz contrar, O.S.I.M. nu ia in considerare cererea solicitantului de modificare a colectivului de inventatori.
G. Actul de transmitere a dreptului la eliberarea brevetului de inventie
(1) Daca inventatorul sau inventatorii au cedat dreptul la eliberarea brevetului de inventie unei persoane fizice sau juridice inainte de depunerea cererii de brevet de inventie, solicitantul va depune la O.S.I.M. actul din care rezulta aceasta transmitere.
(2) In cazul in care din documentatia cererii de brevet de inventie nu rezulta ca solicitantul este indreptatit la eliberarea brevetului de inventie, O.S.I.M. va cere acestuia actul in temeiul caruia are dreptul la brevet.
(3) Actul se va depune in original sau in copie autentificata, in termen de maximum 6 luni de la data solicitarii examinarii in fond; in caz contrar, cererea de brevet de inventie se considera abandonata si se respinge.
(4) Daca dreptul la eliberarea brevetului de inventie s-a transmis dupa constituirea depozitului reglementar, actul de transmitere va fi depus in forma prevazuta la pct. (2) pana la luarea unei hotarari de catre O.S.I.M.; in caz contrar, brevetul de inventie se elibereaza pe numele solicitantului cererii de brevet.
SECTIUNEA 5
Cereri internationale depuse prin procedura Tratatului de cooperare in domeniul brevetelor (P.C.T.)
Regula 19 - O.S.I.M. - oficiu receptor
(1) In vederea brevetarii inventiilor, in alte state, prin procedura prevazuta de Tratatul P.C.T., O.S.I.M. actioneaza in calitate de oficiu receptor pentru cererile internationale ai caror solicitanti sunt cetateni romani, cetateni straini cu domiciliul stabil in Romania sau persoane juridice romane si straine cu sediul in Romania, in conformitate cu dispozitiile Tratatului P.C.T. si ale Regulamentului P.C.T.
(2) Cererea internationala se intocmeste de solicitant, in 3 exemplare, si va respecta conditiile prevazute de Tratatul P.C.T. si Regulamentul P.C.T. Formularul tip al cererii este elaborat de Biroul International al Organizatiei Mondiale a Proprietatii Industriale (O.M.P.I.) si va fi completat de catre solicitant prin dactilografiere sau pe calculator, intr-una din limbile franceza, engleza, germana sau rusa. Descrierea, revendicarile si rezumatul vor fi redactate intr-una din aceste limbi, si anume, aceea aleasa de solicitant.
(3) Oficiul constata daca documentele cererii internationale indeplinesc conditiile prevazute de Tratatul P.C.T. si Regulamentul P.C.T.
(4) In cererea internationala, solicitantul trebuie sa declare inventatorii, sa indice statele desemnate in care doreste protectia inventiei sale, precum si sa invoce, daca este cazul, datele de prioritate ale primului depozit.
(5) Cererea internationala va fi semnata de solicitant sau de mandatarul autorizat; daca solicitantul va fi reprezentat de un mandatar autorizat, in cererea internationala este obligatoriu sa fie inscrise datele de identificare a mandatarului.
(6) In cazul cand intr-o cerere internationala se invoca prioritatea unuia sau a mai multor depozite nationale, actul sau actele respective de prioritate trebuie sa fie depuse la O.S.I.M., o data cu cererea, sau trimise ulterior de catre solicitant Biroului International al O.M.P.I. intr-un termen de maximum 16 luni de la data prioritatii cererii.
(7) O.S.I.M. verifica corectitudinea intocmirii cererii internationale, in conformitate cu dispozitiile Tratatului P.C.T. si Regulamentului P.C.T. si invita solicitantul, printr-o notificare, sa faca corecturile necesare intr-un termen de o luna. Daca solicitantul nu da curs acestei invitatii, O.S.I.M. considera cererea abandonata si o respinge. Decizia de apreciere a corecturilor, ca o constatare a lipsei acestora, trebuie luata in raport cu efectuarea unei publicari internationale rezonabile.
(8) In cazul in care cererea internationala indeplineste toate conditiile prevazute de Tratatul P.C.T. si Regulamentul P.C.T., aceasta va fi inscrisa in Registrul cererilor internationale depuse si O.S.I.M. va acorda data de depozit international.
(9) Solicitantul din cererea internationala este obligat sa plateasca taxele in moneda stabilita in Ghidul Depozantului P.C.T.
(10) Dovada de plata a taxelor referitoare la o cerere internationala trebuie depusa la O.S.I.M., fie o data cu cererea internationala, fie cel mai tarziu la o data la care O.S.I.M. sa poata respecta termenele prevazute de procedura Tratatului P.C.T. si Regulamentului P.C.T., pentru primirea la Biroul International al O.M.P.I., Administratia de Documentare Internationala sau Administratia de Examinare Preliminara Internationala a taxelor cuvenite, inscrise in Ghidul Depozantului P.C.T. Neprimirea la O.S.I.M. a dovezilor de plata a taxelor prevazute in procedura P.C.T. conduce la considerarea cererii
internationale ca abandonata si O.S.I.M. suspenda procedura de tratare a acesteia ca o cerere internationala.
(11) Solicitantul impreuna cu O.S.I.M. stabilesc Administratia Internationala care sa execute, pentru cererea internationala, procedurile prevazute in Tratatul P.C.T. si Regulamentul P.C.T.
(12) Oficiul de Stat pentru Inventii si Marci, ca oficiu receptor transmite cererea internationala la Biroul International al O.M.P.I. si la Administratia de Documentare Internationala cel mai tarziu in luna a 12-a de la data cererii internationale sau a 13-a, daca este invocata o prioritate.
(13) Regula 20 - O.S.I.M. - oficiu desemnat
(1) In cazul in care, in cererea internationala a unui solicitant strain, Romania a fost desemnata ca stat in care se solicita protectia inventiei, solicitantul, prin mandatar autorizat in Romania, va deschide in Romania faza nationala de tratare a cererii internationale, in termen de 20 de luni de la data prioritatii cererii internationale.
(2) Deschiderea fazei nationale se face prin depunerea la O.S.I.M. a formularului de solicitare a deschiderii fazei nationale, insotit de o copie a cererii internationale, traducerea cererii internationale in limba romana, intelegand prin aceasta descrierea, revendicarile, desenele, rezumatul inventiei si dovada de plata a taxelor nationale. Formularul pentru deschiderea fazei nationale este publicat in Ghidul Depozantului P.C.T.
(3) Data depozitului cererii de brevet de inventie va fi data cererii internationale si aceasta data va fi inscrisa in Registrul national al cererilor depuse, conform art. 11.3 din Tratatul P.C.T.
(4) O data deschisa faza nationala, cererea internationala va fi supusa procedurilor prevazute in legea nationala privind brevetele de inventie si in prezentul regulament.
(5) In cazul in care O.S.I.M. constata ca lipsesc acte sau notificari prevazute de Tratatul P.C.T. si Regulamentul P.C.T. (o copie a cererii internationale, notificarea privind desemnarea Romaniei, notificarea privind depunerea actelor de prioritate la Biroul International al O.M.P.I., notificarea privind administratia care executa documentarea sau examinarea preliminara, raportul de cercetare documentara, raportul de examinare preliminara, daca solicitantul a ales aceasta procedura etc.), O.S.I.M. va informa despre aceasta
Biroul International si va solicita completarea documentatiei cererii internationale.
(6) Pentru deschiderea fazei nationale, O.S.I.M., ca oficiu desemnat, nu va pretinde pentru o cerere internationala alte conditii de forma sau continut decat cele prevazute de Tratatul P.C.T. si de Regulamentul P.C.T.
(7) Pentru cererea internationala, intrata in faza nationala, solicitantul va remite la O.S.I.M. traducerea, revendicarile modificate de acesta, in urma efectuarii raportului de documentare din faza internationala, precum si traducerea titlului inventiei, daca acesta a fost modificat de Administratia de Documentare Internationala.
Modificarile revendicarilor, in aceasta situatie, nu trebuie sa depaseasca limitele dezvaluirii inventiei din cererea internationala, asa cum a fost ea depusa la oficiul receptor.
(8) Cand solicitantul nu remite traducerea revendicarilor depuse initial si traducerea revendicarilor modificate conform prevederilor Tratatului P.C.T., O.S.I.M. invita pe solicitant sa trimita, in termen de 90 de zile, traducerea, conform dispozitiilor Regulii 49.5 c-bis) din Regulamentul P.C.T., coroborat cu prevederile art. 28 din lege. In cazul in care in termenul fixat in invitatie nu a fost primita traducerea care lipseste, O.S.I.M. considera cererea retrasa si o respinge.
(9) Descrierea si revendicarile cererii internationale pentru care s-a deschis faza nationala in Romania, traduse in limba romana, vor fi publicate in termen de 6 luni de la data deschiderii fazei nationale, daca o prioritate a fost invocata, sau in termen de 18 luni de la data deschiderii fazei nationale, in conformitate cu prevederile art. 23 din lege si a regulii 25 din prezentul regulament.
(10) Protectia provizorie, prevazuta de art. 35 din lege, curge, pentru cererile internationale, dupa publicarea prevazuta la pct. (9) de mai sus.
Regula 21 - O.S.I.M. - oficiu ales
(1) In vederea intrarii in faza nationala de tratare a cererii internationale, conform art. 39 al Tratatului P.C.T., solicitantul trebuie sa prezinte, intr-un termen de 30 de luni de la data prioritatii cererii internationale, cand se prevaleaza si de un raport de examinare preliminara, internationala, traducerea in limba romana a cererii internationale, taxele nationale si o copie a cererii internationale, daca nu a avut loc comunicarea conform art. 20 al Tratatului
P.C.T., precum si formularul, conform pct. (2) al regulii 20 a prezentului regulament.
(2) In cazul cand a fost stabilit un raport de examinare preliminara internationala, traducerea modificarilor facute in virtutea art. 19 al Tratatului P.C.T. este ceruta numai daca modificarile respective sunt anexate la raport.
(3) Daca solicitantul, in conditiile prevazute de Tratatul P.C.T., retrage cererea de examinare preliminara, internationala, sau alegerea O.S.I.M., aceasta nu este considerata ca o retragere a cererii internationale, daca Romania ramane stat desemnat.
Regula 22 - Tratamentul cererilor internationale revizuite de O.S.I.M. ca oficiu desemnat
In cazul cand un oficiu receptor a refuzat sa acorde o data de depozit international sau a declarat ca cererea internationala este considerata retrasa sau cand Biroul International al O.M.P.I. o considera ca retrasa, deoarece nu a primit exemplarul original, O.S.I.M. va trata ca o cerere nationala acea cerere internationala, daca solicitantul va indeplini, pentru inregistrarea acesteia la O.S.I.M., conditiile prevazute de art. 14 si 16 din lege.
CAP. 2
Examinarea cererilor de brevet de inventie
SECTIUNEA 1
Examinarea preliminara
Regula 23 - Analiza depozitului national reglamentar
(1) Dupa constituirea depozitului national reglementar conform art. 14 alin. 1 din lege, cererile de brevet de inventie vor fi supuse unei analize preliminare, din care sa reiasa:
a) daca solicitantul are dreptul la brevet de inventie, in cazul in care el este alta persoana decat inventatorul sau inventatorii;
b) dreptul mandatarului autorizat pentru a reprezenta solicitantul in fata O.S.I.M.;
c) daca sunt declarati inventatorii;
d) daca prioritatea conventionala este corect invocata si sustinuta de acte de prioritate depuse la O.S.I.M.;
e) daca plata taxelor este corespunzatoare procedurilor solicitate in cererea de brevet de inventie;
f) indeplinirea conditiilor de forma a cererii de brevet de inventie;
g) indeplinirea conditiilor prescrise pentru intocmirea descrierii, revendicarilor si desenelor;
h) indeplinirea conditiilor prescrise pentru celelalte documente sau acte care sunt anexate la cererea de brevet de inventie;
i) daca cererea de brevet de inventie care cuprinde un grup de inventii respecta la prima vedere unitatea inventiei.
(2) Daca in urma analizei depozitului cererii de brevet de inventie si a documentelor anexate, O.S.I.M. constata iregularitati privind indeplinirea conditiilor prevazute de lege si prezentul regulament, acestea se notifica solicitantului, acordindu-i un termen de raspuns.
(3) Nici o procedura cu privire la cererea de brevet de inventie inregistrata de O.S.I.M. nu va incepe inca, daca nu s-au depus actele necesare solicitate si dovada platii taxelor, in termenele prevazute de lege si de prezentul regulament.
Regula 24 - Clasificarea cererii de brevet
O.S.I.M. clasifica cererea de brevet de inventie pe baza revendicarilor si obiectului inventiei, in termen de 30 de zile de la data depozitului reglementar, utilizand clasificarea internationala a brevetelor (editia in vigoare) si inscrie pe fiecare cerere de brevet de inventie indicii de clasificare a inventiei.
SECTIUNEA 2
Publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie
Regula 25 - Conditii de publicare
(1) Cererea de brevet de inventie, pentru care s-a constituit depozitul national reglementar, au fost platite taxele, iar O.S.I.M. nu a luat o hotarare, se publica in termenul prevazut la art. 23 sau 24 din lege, dupa caz.
(2) Termenul de depunere a dovezii de plata a taxei de publicare este de 3 luni de la constituirea depozitului, pentru cererile care invoca o prioritate, sau de 6 luni pentru celelalte cereri de brevet de inventie.
Taxa de publicare a cererii de brevet de inventie nu se datoreaza in cazul cererilor pentru care, o data cu inregistrarea, s-a solicitat examinarea in fond sau la cele pentru care s-a solicitat examinarea de urgenta, pana in luna a 6-a, de la data depozitului reglementar; pentru aceste proceduri se platesc celelalte taxe legale corespunzatoare.
(3) In cazul in care nu s-a solicitat expres procedura de publicare a cererii de brevet de inventie, plata taxei de publicare constituie acordul solicitantului pentru efectuarea acestei proceduri.
(4) Daca in termenul prevazut la pct. (2) taxa de publicare nu a fost platita si solicitantul nu a cerut examinarea in fond a cererii de brevet de inventie, cererea se considera abandonata si se respinge.
(5) Daca solicitantul a platit taxa de examinare intre lunile a 4-a pana la a 6-a de la data depozitului reglementar, fara sa plateasca si taxa de publicare, acest lucru se notifica solicitantului cu precizarea ca O.S.I.M. nu va trece la examinarea in fond, acordandu-se solicitantului un nou termen de 30 de zile, in care acesta va trebui sa aleaga una dintre variantele urmatoare:
a) sa plateasca taxa de publicare;
b) sa comunice acordul sau privind retinerea de catre O.S.I.M. a cuantumului taxei de publicare din taxa de examinare platita, urmand ca in vederea efectuarii examinarii in fond sa completeze taxa de examinare;
c) sa plateasca taxa de mentinere in regim confidential a cererii de brevet de inventie.
(6) Daca in termenul acordat de O.S.I.M. conform pct. (5) solicitantul nu da curs nici uneia dintre variantele a), b) sau c), cererea de brevet de inventie se considera abandonata si se respinge, iar taxele de examinare se returneaza solicitantului.
(7) Nu se publica urmatoarele cereri de brevet de inventie:
a) cererea de brevet de inventie respinsa sau retrasa in intervalul de la data depozitului reglementar pana la a 15-a luna;
b) cererea de brevet de inventie pentru care solicitantul a cerut examinarea o data cu inregistrarea cererii de brevet de inventie sau in termen de 3 luni de la data depozitului reglementar, a platit taxele de examinare si O.S.I.M. a luat hotararea de acordare a brevetului de inventie;
c) cererea de brevet de inventie pentru care s-a solicitat examinarea de urgenta pana in luna a 6-a de la data depozitului reglementar;
d) cererea de brevet de inventie care se incadreaza in prevederile art. 44 alin. 2 si 3 din lege si pentru care s-a platit pentru primul an de la data depozitului reglementar taxa legala de mentinere la secret.
(8) Daca, in urma analizei preliminare, O.S.I.M. constata ca cererea de brevet de inventie este evident neunitara, notifica aceasta solicitantului, acordindu-i un termen pentru divizare de cel mult 60 de zile inainte de publicare.
Daca solicitantul nu a facut divizarea pana la aceasta data, cererea de brevet de inventie se publica sub forma neunitara.
(10) Daca pana in luna a 15-a de la data depozitului reglementar, in urma analizei preliminare, solicitantul depune modificari sau completari la descriere, revendicari sau desene in vederea publicarii, este necesar ca solicitantul, fie sa transmita la O.S.I.M. paginile redactilografiate cu includerea modificarilor sau completarilor, fie sa reformuleze intreaga documentatie ce urmeaza sa fie publicata.
Regula 26 - Data publicarii
(1) Publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie se face prin depunerea la sala de lectura a O.S.I.M. sau prin tiparire a descrierii, revendicarilor si desenelor inventiei.
(2) Cererea de brevet de inventie publicata contine o parte editata de O.S.I.M., continand datele bibliografice ale cererii de brevet de inventie si rezumatul acceptat de solicitant, si o parte care contine descrierea, revendicarile si, dupa caz, desenele explicative redactate de solicitant conform conditiilor prescrise de acest regulament.
(3) Daca solicitantul a adus modificari sau completari descrierii pana in luna a 16-a de la data depozitului reglementar si examinarea in fond nu a fost ceruta, modificarile sau completarile se publica o data cu cererea de brevet de inventie.
(4) Taxele de publicare pentru cererile prevazute la art. 44 alin. 2 si 3 din lege se datoreaza de solicitant sau succesorul sau in drepturi, in termen de 3 luni de la data scoaterii lor din regimul secret; O.S.I.M. publica cererea de brevet de inventie in termen de 2 luni de la plata acestei taxe.
(5) Cererile de brevet de inventie publicate in conditiile art. 23 din lege beneficiaza de protectia provizorie prevazuta de art. 35 din lege de la data depozitului reglementar.
Intinderea protectiei provizorii acordate in conditiile art. 35 din lege este determinata numai de continutul revendicarilor, asa cum au fost ele publicate in cererea de brevet de inventie.
(6) Daca printr-o hotarare judecatoreasca se constata ca o alta persoana decat cea inscrisa in cererea de brevet de inventie publicata este inventator, O.S.I.M. executa hotararea si publica modificarea.
Regula 27 - Raportul de documentare
(1) O.S.I.M. intocmeste, la cererea solicitantului, un raport de documentare a cererii de brevet de inventie pe baza revendicarilor, descrierii si desenelor, daca sunt indeplinite cumulativ urmatoarele conditii:
a) s-a acordat o data de depozit reglementar;
b) au fost platite taxele pentru publicare si intocmirea raportului de documentare;
c) cererea de brevet de inventie nu a fost retrasa sau respinsa.
(2) Raportul de documentare a cererii de brevet de inventie se publica.
(3) Raportul de documentare contine materialele documentare selectate din stadiul tehnicii, materiale care sunt existente la dispozitia O.S.I.M. la data respectiva.
Solicitantul, in sprijinul efectuarii raportului de documentare, poate depune la O.S.I.M. materialele documentare publice de care dispune, urmand ca dupa
efectuarea raportului de documentare, O.S.I.M. sa returneze solicitantului aceste materiale, daca ele au fost originale. O.S.I.M. nu se va limita insa ca raportul de documentare sa fie efectuat numai pe baza materialelor transmise de solicitant.
(4) Taxa pentru raportul de documentare se poate plati pana in luna a 9-a de la data depozitului reglementar, caz in care raportul va fi publicat o data cu cererea; la cererile pentru care taxa a fost platita intre luna a 9-a si luna a 18-a, raportul de documentare se va publica ulterior publicarii cererii.
(5) O.S.I.M. returneaza solicitantului taxa pentru raportul de documentare si nu efectueaza raportul daca inventia se incadreaza in prevederile art. 12, 13 sau 18 din lege.
(6) In cazul in care cererea de brevet de inventie nu se publica conform art. 23 sau art. 44 alin. 2 sau 3 din lege si a fost platita taxa pentru un raport de documentare, aceasta taxa se returneaza solicitantului sau, cu acordul acestuia, taxa aferenta poate fi transferata pentru alte proceduri.
(7) In raportul de documentare se citeaza documentele publice din stadiul tehnicii care pot fi luate in considerare pentru aprecierea noutatii inventiei in legatura cu revendicarile la care se refera, indicand, daca este necesar, partile pertinente ale documentului invocat.
(8) In raportul de documentare se inscriu indicii clasificarii internationale a brevetelor de inventie in domeniul sau domeniile cercetate.
(9) Daca in procesul de efectuare a raportului de documentare se constata ca cererea de brevet de inventie contine doua sau mai multe inventii, respectiv nu satisface criteriul unitatii inventiei conform art. 19 alin. 1 din lege, si O.S.I.M. nu a notificat aceasta solicitantului dupa constituirea depozitului national reglementar, lipsa unitatii inventiei se notifica la momentul constatarii, cerind solicitantului:
a) plata suplimentara pentru efectuarea raportului de documentare si pentru celelalte inventii;
b) sa indice acea inventie sau grup de inventii din depozitul pentru care raportul de documentare poate fi executat in baza taxei platite.
Daca, in termenul acordat de O.S.I.M., solicitantul nu a platit taxele necesare si nu a indicat inventia aleasa, raportul de documentare se va efectua pentru prima inventie sau grup de inventii unitar, revendicat.
(10) Raportul de documentare efectuat se notifica solicitantului impreuna cu copii ale documentelor citate, pana la maximum 20 de pagini. La cererea solicitantului se pot transmite, contra cost, si celelalte copii ale documentelor citate in raport.
(11) Data de publicare a raportului este data de publicare a Buletinului Oficial de Proprietate Industriala, in care sunt anuntate cererile de brevet de inventie pentru care O.S.I.M. a efectuat un raport de documentare.
(12) Dupa publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie si a raportului de documentare, solicitantul poate cere modificarea revendicarilor. Aceste modificari se depun la O.S.I.M. si vor fi analizate in cursul examinarii de fond a cererii de brevet de inventie, daca aceasta examinare a fost ceruta conform art. 26 din lege.
SECTIUNEA 3
Examinarea in fond a cererilor de brevet de inventie
Regula 28 - Conditii pentru inceperea examinarii in fond
(1) Procedura de examinare in fond a unei cereri de brevet de inventie incepe daca este indeplinita una dintre conditiile urmatoare:
a) examinarea a fost ceruta in scris in termen de 30 de luni de la data depozitului reglementar si taxa de examinare a fost platita in termen de 3 luni de la solicitarea examinarii;
b) dovada de plata a taxei de examinare a fost depusa la O.S.I.M. in termen de 30 de luni de la data depozitului reglementar.
(2) Termenul de 18 luni pentru efectuarea examinarii in fond a cererii de brevet de inventie conform art. 29 alin. 1 din lege curge de la data indeplinirii uneia dintre conditiile prevazute la pct. (1) lit. a) sau b) din aceasta regula.
(3) In functie de momentul in care se cere examinarea in fond a cererii de brevet de inventie, O.S.I.M. va proceda dupa cum urmeaza:
a) daca solicitarea examinarii s-a facut o data cu inregistrarea cererii de brevet de inventie sau in termen de 3 luni de la data depozitului reglementar si taxa a fost platita in acest termen, cererea de brevet de inventie nu se publica si O.S.I.M. va lua o hotarare in termen de 18 luni de la data depozitului
reglementar; in cazul in care taxa de examinare nu a fost platita in termen de 3 luni de la data depozitului reglementar, cererea va urma procedura de publicare conform art. 23 din lege;
b) daca solicitarea examinarii s-a facut incepand cu luna a 4-a pana in luna a 30- a de la data depozitului reglementar si taxele de examinare si publicare au fost platite, cererea de brevet de inventie va fi examinata in termen de 18 luni de la data solicitarii examinarii, iar cererea urmeaza procedura de publicare prevazuta la art. 23 din lege;
c) daca se solicita examinarea de urgenta si s-a platit taxa corespunzatoare, O.S.I.M. va examina cererea de brevet de inventie in termen de 6 luni de la data prezentarii dovezii de plata a taxei de urgenta; publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie va fi conditionata de data la care s-a solicitat examinarea cu urgenta, respectiv daca aceasta s-a facut pana in luna a 15-a de la data depozitului reglementar, cererea de brevet de inventie nu se publica, iar dupa aceasta luna, ea va urma procedura de publicare conform art. 23 din lege.
(4) Daca dupa publicare o alta persoana cere examinarea in fond, acest fapt se notifica solicitantului.
(5) In cazul retragerii cererii de brevet de inventie dupa inceperea examinarii, taxele de examinare nu se restituie.
(6) O.S.I.M. efectueaza examinarea in fond a cererilor din fiecare domeniu de specialitate in ordinea datei de depozit reglementar si a indeplinirii conditiilor prevazute de prezentul regulament.
Regula 29 - Dezvaluirea inventiei
(1) Dezvaluirea inventiei in descrieri, revendicari si desene, dupa caz, trebuie sa indeplineasca prevederile art. 18 din lege.
(2) Daca O.S.I.M. constata ca inventia nu este suficient dezvaluita, aceasta se notifica solicitantului.
(3) Atunci cand, din proprie initiativa sau la cererea O.S.I.M., solicitantul aduce modificari descrierii, desenelor sau revendicarilor, aceste modificari trebuie sa respecte prevederile art. 28 alin. 3 din lege.
(4) Modificarile si completarile aduse de solicitant vor fi admise de O.S.I.M. daca:
a) se refera la elemente existente in descrierea si desenele din depozitul initial si contin precizari si explicatii cu privire la acestea;
b) se refera la continutul revendicarilor, dar se bazeaza pe elemente existente in descrierea si desenele din depozitul initial;
c) se refera la desene, dar se bazeaza pe elemente existente in descriere;
d) nu sunt continute in depozitul initial, dar nu fac obiectul unor noi revendicari sau nu introduc elemente noi in revendicarile initiale, ele fiind destinate unei bune intelegeri a inventiei sau largirii domeniului de folosire a inventiei.
(5) Daca modificarile sau completarile aduse de solicitant nu sunt admise, O.S.I.M. va notifica motivat solicitantului si va trece la examinarea cererii de brevet de inventie privind indeplinirea conditiilor prevazute de art. 10 din lege si regulii 32 lit. C. din prezentul regulament.
(6) Daca modificarile sau completarile aduse de solicitant au fost admise, O.S.I.M. notifica aceasta solicitantului si cere refacerea paginilor din descriere sau desene, care cuprind modificarile sau completarile aduse.
Regula 30 - Stadiul tehnicii
(1) Stadiul tehnicii, fata de care este comparata inventia pentru stabilirea noutatii, cuprinde cunostintele accesibile publicului, oriunde in lume, inainte de data depozitului reglementar sau a prioritatii recunoscute, cu conditia ca data punerii la dispozitia publicului sa fie identificabila.
(2) Din stadiul tehnicii fac parte cererile de brevet de inventie publicate in conformitate cu art. 23 si 24 din lege.
(3) Daca o cerere a fost retrasa, abandonata sau respinsa inainte de publicarea ei, aceasta nu este considerata ca facand parte din stadiul tehnicii.
(4) O.S.I.M. nu ia in considerare divulgarea facuta in intervalul de 12 luni care a precedat inregistrarea unei cereri de brevet de inventie sau a prioritatii recunoscute, daca aceasta divulgare:
a) emana de la inventator sau succesorul sau in drepturi;
b) a fost facuta de un tert si inventatorul sau succesorul sau in drepturi confirma in scris la O.S.I.M. ca informatiile respective au fost obtinute direct sau indirect de la el.
(5) O.S.I.M. nu ia in considerare divulgarea prin publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie in conformitate cu art. 23 si 24 din lege, daca inventatorul sau succesorul sau in drepturi, in intervalul de 12 luni de la publicare, revendica, intr-o noua cerere de brevet de inventie, parti nerevendicate din prima sa cerere de brevet de inventie publicata.
Regula 31 - Unitatea inventiei
(1) Cererea de brevet de inventie trebuie sa se refere numai la o singura inventie sau la un grup de inventii, astfel legate incat sa formeze un singur concept inventiv general.
(2) Unitatea inventiei permite ca intr-o singura cerere de brevet de inventie sa poata fi incluse:
a) revendicari independente de categorii diferite;
b) revendicari independente de aceeasi categorie;
c) revendicari dependente.
(3) Daca o cerere de brevet de inventie se refera la un grup de inventii, unitatea inventiei este respectata daca este indeplinita cel putin una dintre urmatoarele conditii:
a) grupul de inventii contribuie la rezolvarea aceleiasi probleme tehnice;
b) determina obtinerea acelorasi efecte tehnice;
c) intre ele exista o interdependenta tehnica;
d) cel putin una dintre inventiile din grup nu poate fi realizata sau aplicata fara celelalte;
e) lipsa a cel putin unei inventii din grup face aplicabila pe oricare din celelalte inventii din grup.
(4) Intr-o cerere de brevet de inventie care se refera la un grup de inventii si care satisfac conditiile de la pct. (3) din aceasta regula se admit revendicari independente de categorii diferite, grupate in una dintre urmatoarele posibilitati:
a) o revendicare independenta pentru un produs dat, o revendicare independenta pentru un procedeu special conceput pentru fabricarea produsului si o revendicare independenta pentru o folosire a produsului;
b) o revendicare independenta pentru un procedeu dat si o revendicare independenta pentru un mijloc special conceput pentru realizarea procedeului;
c) o revendicare independenta pentru un produs dat, o revendicare independenta pentru un procedeu special conceput pentru fabricarea produsului si o revendicare independenta pentru un mijloc special conceput pentru realizarea procedeului.
(5) Intr-o cerere de brevet de inventie care se refera la un grup de inventii care satisfac conditiile de la pct. (3) din aceasta regula se admit doua sau mai multe revendicari independente de aceeasi categorie (exemplu: produs, procedeu, mijloc de folosire) numai daca nu pot fi acoperite in intregime printr-o singura revendicare generica.
(6) Daca o cerere de brevet de inventie se refera la doua sau mai multe inventii care nu satisfac conditia unitatii inventiei conform pct. (2) din aceasta regula, cererea de brevet de inventie este neunitara si pentru protectia tuturor inventiilor este necesara divizarea cererii de brevet de inventie.
(7) In cazul in care se constata ca cererea de brevet de inventie este neunitara, O.S.I.M. notifica aceasta solicitantului sau succesorului sau in drepturi.
Solicitantul are posibilitatea sa divizeze cererea, depunind la O.S.I.M. cate o cerere de brevet de inventie divizionara pentru fiecare grup de inventii care respecta conditiile unitatii inventiei si are obligatia ca, in termen de 6 luni de la solicitarea examinarii, sa depuna o optiune scrisa si o descriere, revendicari si desene pentru inventia care va fi examinata in depozitul initial.
In lipsa acestei optiuni, O.S.I.M. va examina prima inventie revendicata sau primul grup de inventii care respecta conditia unitatii inventiei.
(7) Cererile de brevet de inventie divizionare se pot depune la O.S.I.M. pana la luarea unei hotarari asupra depozitului initial; in aceste conditii, cererile divizionare depuse vor beneficia de data de depozit al cererii din care au fost
divizate, precum si de dreptul de prioritate a acesteia, daca solicitantul va respecta, pentru fiecare inventie divizionara, limitele dezvaluirii ei din primul depozit.
(8) In cazul in care in cererea de brevet de inventie initiala au fost invocate prioritati multiple, solicitantul va trebui sa indice in fiecare cerere divizionara prioritatea corespunzatoare.
(9) In cazul in care, pana la luarea unei hotarari asupra primului depozit, solicitantul nu a depus cereri de brevet de inventie divizionare, inventiile care nu respecta conditia unitatii vor ramane in descriere, fara insa sa faca obiectul revendicarilor.
(10) Lipsa unitatii inventiei nu poate fi invocata in cadrul actiunilor de revocare sau de anulare a unui brevet de inventie.
Regula 32 - Examinarea indeplinirii conditiilor pentru existenta inventiei brevetabile
A. Noutatea
(1) Noutatea unei inventii brevetabile se stabileste in conformitate cu prevederile art. 8 din lege, in raport cu continutul revendicarilor si al domeniului de aplicare precizat in descriere.
(2) La stabilirea noutatii unei inventii, materialele din stadiul tehnicii nu pot fi luate in considerare decat individual, pentru fiecare inventie (nu sunt opozabile materialele din stadiul tehnicii in sistem mozaic).
(3) Intr-un grup de inventii care respecta unitatea inventiei, materialele din stadiul tehnicii vor fi luate in considerare individual, pentru fiecare inventie.
(4) Fac parte din stadiul tehnicii, pentru stabilirea noutatii, continutul cererilor de brevet de inventie astfel cum au fost ele depuse la O.S.I.M., care au o data de depozit reglementar sau de prioritate anterioara si care au devenit publice inainte sau dupa data cererii ulterioare.
(5) Sunt considerate materiale pertinente acele materiale din stadiul tehnicii al caror continut acopera partial sau total intinderea protectiei cerute de solicitant prin revendicari.
(6) O.S.I.M. notifica solicitantului sau succesorului sau in drepturi materialul documentar pertinent din stadiul tehnicii, considerat ca acopera partial sau total elementele noi revendicate in cererea de brevet de inventie.
Notificarea va fi insotita de copia materialului documentar si va contine un comentariu privind elementele din revendicari care se regasesc in material.
O.S.I.M. va acorda un termen solicitantului pentru raspuns. Daca solicitantul raspunde in termen, dovedind interes pentru a-si sustine cererea de brevet, O.S.I.M. va continua corespondenta cu solicitantul pana la lamurirea tuturor obiectiilor, in vederea luarii unei hotarari juste. Nici o hotarare nu poate fi luata de O.S.I.M. daca materialul documentar nu a fost transmis solicitantului.
B. Activitatea inventiva
(1) Activitatea inventiva se apreciaza in raport cu revendicarile si cu problema tehnica pe care o rezolva inventia, in conformitate cu prevederile art. 9 din lege.
(2) La aprecierea activitatii inventive se stabileste stadiul tehnicii din care se formeaza un mozaic de solutii tehnice ce se compara, in totalitatea lui, cu revendicarile. Cererile de brevet de inventie inregistrate la O.S.I.M., care au devenit publice dupa data de depozit a cererii care se afla in examinare, nu sunt luate in considerare la aprecierea activitatii inventive, chiar daca data lor de depozit este anterioara.
Daca din analiza totalitatii solutiilor din stadiul tehnicii rezulta, printr-o sinteza ulterioara, ca o persoana de specialitate in domeniu, fara sa depuna un efort creativ, poate ajunge la solutia care face obiectul cererii de brevet de inventie, atunci acest obiect nu are la baza o activitate inventiva.
(3) O inventie este considerata ca implicand o activitate inventiva daca este indeplinita cel putin una dintre conditiile urmatoare:
a) nu rezulta ca evidenta in stadiul tehnicii din domeniul de aplicare a inventiei sau dintr-un domeniu apropiat acestuia;
b) specialistul din domeniu, pe baza cunostintelor din stadiul tehnicii, nu poate rezolva problema asa cum o rezolva inventia;
c) necesitatea rezolvarii problemei exista de mult timp si rezolvarile cunoscute nu sunt la nivelul rezolvarii din inventie;
d) inventia este folosita cu sau fara modificari intr-un alt domeniu pentru solutionarea unei alte probleme si efectul tehnic obtinut este fie acelasi, fie neasteptat sau superior efectelor obtinute de alte inventii din domeniul in care se transpune inventia, cu conditia ca cele doua domenii sa nu fie apropiate;
e) consta in combinarea elementelor cunoscute din stadiul tehnicii, astfel incat rezulta o legatura organica functionala, o influentare reciproca, o interactiune sau o interconditionare si aceasta conduce la obtinerea unui efect global pozitiv;
f) inventia are ca obiect un procedeu analog care realizeaza un efect tehnic nou sau prin acest procedeu se obtine o substanta cu calitati noi, neasteptate sau superioare ori daca materiile prime sunt noi chiar daca efectele tehnice obtinute sunt aceleasi.
(4) O inventie nu implica o activitate inventiva daca:
a) consta intr-o simpla enuntare a unei probleme tehnice fara a o rezolva, chiar daca problema este noua;
b) rezolva numai o problema privind economisirea de materiale sau energie, optimizarea dimensiunilor sau reducerea preturilor de cost, fara a se obtine efecte tehnice noi sau superioare;
c) rezolva problema numai printr-o simpla inlocuire de materiale cu caracteristici cunoscute care conduc la efecte previzibile;
d) problema se refera numai la o modificare a formei sau a aspectului in scop estetic;
e) rezolva problema printr-o simplificare, fara sa mentina cel putin performantele cunoscute din stadiul tehnicii;
f) rezolvarea problemei se face prin mijloace echivalente existente in stadiul tehnicii si conduce la obtinerea acelorasi efecte;
g) rezolvarea problemei se face prin folosirea in comun a doua sau mai multe solutii cunoscute si daca efectul tehnic previzibil rezulta din simpla insumare a efectelor fiecarei solutii (juxtapunerea solutiilor cunoscute);
h) rezolvarea unei probleme din domeniul chimiei sau biologiei care consta intr- o selectie a unui caz particular dintr-o multime de componenti, protejata
anterior, fara ca acest caz selectat sa conduca la calitati sau efecte deosebite comparativ cu cele ale multimii componentilor din care a fost selectat;
i) rezolvarea problemei se refera la alegerea unui material corespunzator cunoscut si/sau la executarea unor modificari constructive dupa reguli in sine cunoscute;
j) inventia se refera la un produs natural asupra caruia nu s-a intervenit tehnologic.
(5) In cazul in care in urma examinarii de fond se apreciaza ca obiectul inventiei nu indeplineste conditia existentei unei activitati inventive, aceasta se notifica solicitantului, anexindu-se materialele din stadiul tehnicii luate in considerare la aprecierea activitatii inventive si se acorda un termen pentru raspuns.
C. Aplicabilitate industriala
(1) O inventie este susceptibila de aplicare industriala conform art. 10 din lege, daca din descrierea inventiei rezulta cumulativ urmatoarele:
a) obiectul inventiei poate fi folosit cel putin intr-un domeniu;
b) problema tehnica si rezolvarea ei;
c) dezvaluirea inventiei in exemplele de realizare, astfel incat o persoana de specialitate in domeniu sa poata realiza inventia fara a desfasura o activitate inventiva conform art. 18 din lege;
d) inventia poate fi reprodusa cu aceleasi caracteristici si efecte, ori de cate ori este necesar.
(2) Daca, in urma examinarii de fond, se constata ca descrierea inventiei prezentate de solicitant nu indeplineste una din conditiile prevazute la pct. (1) de mai sus, aceasta se notifica solicitantului, acordindu-i-se un termen pentru raspuns.
Regula 33 - Inventia de perfectionare
(1) Solicitantul unui brevet de inventie de perfectionare poate fi titularul unui brevet de inventie in vigoare sau o terta persoana.
(2) In cererea de brevet de inventie solicitantul va mentiona explicit ca inventia perfectioneaza o alta inventie, indicand datele necesare identificarii acesteia.
(3) O.S.I.M. va notifica solicitantului prevederile art. 36 din lege, in cazul in care acesta este diferit de titularul brevetului de inventie in vigoare.
(4) Descrierea inventiei de perfectionare va cuprinde, de regula, in capitolul "stadiul tehnicii" aceleasi materiale cu cele luate in considerare in descrierea inventiei pe care o perfectioneaza, daca intre datele lor de depozit reglementar nu au mai aparut si alte materiale pertinente.
(5) La redactarea revendicarilor inventiei de perfectionare solicitantul va mentiona, in partea caracteristica, elementele noi ale inventiei in interdependenta tehnica numai cu acele elemente ale inventiei pe care le perfectioneaza si la care se aplica, astfel incat sa rezulte legatura lor organica.
(6) O.S.I.M. hotaraste acordarea unui brevet de inventie de perfectionare in aceleasi conditii ca si la celelalte inventii brevetabile si anume cele prevazute de art. 7, 8, 10, 18 si 19 din lege.
(7) In examinarea noutatii inventiei de perfectionare se vor lua in considerare stadiul tehnicii citat in descrierea inventiei pe care o perfectioneaza, precum si materialele din stadiul tehnicii aparute intre datele de depozit reglementar al celor doua inventii.
(8) In cursul examinarii unei cereri de brevet de inventie de perfectionare, O.S.I.M. analizeaza, pe baza revendicarilor, daca inventia poate fi aplicata independent de inventia la care se refera perfectionarea.
(9) O.S.I.M. hotaraste acordarea unui brevet de inventie de perfectionare numai in cazul in care este indeplinita conditia de la pct. (8) de mai sus si inventia la care se refera perfectionarea este protejata printr-un brevet in vigoare.
(10) Regula 34 - Notificarile O.S.I.M.
(1) In notificarile transmise solicitantului, O.S.I.M. indica termenul de raspuns. Solicitantul, pentru motive justificate, poate solicita prelungirea termenului de raspuns.
(2) O.S.I.M. nu poate lua hotarari inainte de expirarea termenului acordat solicitantului pentru raspuns.
(3) Daca in termenul fixat solicitantul nu raspunde si nici nu a cerut o prelungire a termenului de raspuns, cererea se considera abandonata si se respinge.
SECTIUNEA 4
Hotararile O.S.I.M.
Regula 35 - Comisia de examinare
(1) In urma examinarii cererii de brevet de inventie, in conformitate cu prevederile legii si prezentului regulament, examinatorul de stat de specialitate intocmeste raportul de examinare, pe baza caruia o comisie de examinare din O.S.I.M. ia hotararea de acordare a brevetului de inventie sau de respingere a cererii de brevet de inventie.
(2) Cand este cazul, comisia ia act de retragere a cererii de brevet de inventie.
(3) Comisiile de examinare din O.S.I.M. sunt constituite pe domenii de specialitate.
(4) Comisia de examinare este formata din presedinte, desemnat de directorul general al O.S.I.M. si 2 membri desemnati de seful serviciului de examinare de specialitate.
(5) Examinatorul de stat de specialitate care a intocmit raportul de examinare nu este membru al comisiei de examinare.
(6) Toate hotararile luate de comisie se comunica solicitantului sau succesorului sau in drepturi, in termen de 30 de zile de la luarea lor, si se inscriu in Registrul national al cererilor de brevet de inventie depuse.
(7) Hotararile de acordare a brevetului de inventie se publica in Buletinul Oficial de Proprietate Industriala, in termen de 30 de zile.
(8) Incepand cu data publicarii fiecarui Buletin Oficial de Proprietate Industriala, inventiile pentru care s-a acordat brevet, anuntate in acest buletin, se
publica prin punerea la dispozitia persoanelor interesate a descrierii, revendicarilor si desenelor, la sediul O.S.I.M., timp de 6 luni de la aceasta data.
(9) Descrierea si desenele inventiilor care urmeaza a fi publicate dupa luarea hotararii de acordare a brevetului de inventie vor trebui sa poarte acordul solicitantului sau succesorului sau in drepturi asupra continutului. SECTIUNEA 5
Atacarea hotararilor O.S.I.M. pe cale administrativa
Regula 36 - Contestatia si cererea de revocare
(1) Impotriva hotararii O.S.I.M. privind cererea de brevet de inventie, persoanele interesate pot formula contestatii sau cereri de revocare in termenele prevazute de lege si prezentul regulament.
(2) Hotararile O.S.I.M. pot fi contestate de catre solicitant in termen de 3 luni de la comunicare, conform art. 55 din lege.
(3) Potrivit art. 56 din lege, orice persoana interesata poate cere revocarea, in tot sau in parte, a hotararilor de acordare a brevetului de inventie in termen de 6 luni de la publicarea descrierii, revendicarilor si desenelor, pentru neindeplinirea oricarei conditii prevazute la art. 7-11 din lege. Cererea de revocare va cuprinde expunerea pe larg a motivelor si documentele publice in sustinere, fara a putea fi invocata nerespectarea conditiilor de forma sau procedura. O copie a cererii de revocare se notifica de catre O.S.I.M. titularului, in vederea expunerii argumentelor sale; notificarea va indica termenul de solutionare a cererii de revocare pana la care titularul va comunica pozitia sa.
Regula 37 - Comisia de reexaminare a O.S.I.M.
(1) Contestatiile si cererile de revocare se solutioneaza de catre comisia de reexaminare, formata din presedinte si 2-4 membri desemnati de catre directorul general al O.S.I.M.
(2) Presedintele comisiei de reexaminare este directorul general al O.S.I.M. ori imputernicitul acestuia.
(3) Componenta comisiei de reexaminare este alta decat cea a comisiei de examinare care a luat hotararea atacata. Membrii comisiei pot fi sefii de serviciu ori loctiitorii de drept, sau examinatorii de stat de specialitate, gr. I. Unul din membrii comisiei este consilier juridic.
(4) Comisia va da posibilitatea partii interesate sa-si prezinte punctul de vedere, fie reprezentat, fie personal sau asistat.
(5) Dosarul cererii de brevet de inventie va fi prezentat comisiei de reexaminare de catre presedintele comisiei de examinare si examinator, care vor prezenta in scris, pana la solutionare, punctul lor de vedere cu privire la contestatia sau cererea de revocare formulata.
(6) Comisia de reexaminare poate hotari:
a) admiterea contestatiei sau cererii de revocare, dispunand acordarea brevetului de inventie ori respingerea cererii de brevet de inventie, sau trimiterea cauzei spre reexaminare in serviciul de specialitate al O.S.I.M.;
b) respingerea contestatiei sau cererii de revocare.
(7) Hotararile comisiei de reexaminare se iau cu majoritate de voturi si se comunica in termen de 15 zile.
(8) Hotararile de respingere luate de comisia de reexaminare pot fi atacate la Tribunalul municipiului Bucuresti, in termen de 3 luni de la comunicare.
(9) Comisia de reexaminare se va putea sesiza din oficiu asupra iregularitatilor oricarei proceduri in care se afla o cerere de brevet de inventie, precum si asupra hotararilor luate si va proceda, dupa caz, potrivit art. 30 din lege.
(10) Contestatiile formulate sub incidenta Legii nr. 62/1974 vor fi solutionate de comisia de reexaminare.
SECTIUNEA 6
Eliberarea brevetului de inventie
Regula 38 - Conditii pentru eliberarea brevetului de inventie
(1) O.S.I.M. elibereaza brevetul de inventie in conditiile art. 31 din lege, daca nu a fost revocata hotararea de acordare a brevetului de inventie in conditiile art. 56 din lege si taxa legala pentru tiparirea si eliberarea brevetului de inventie a fost platita de titular.
(2) Titularul brevetului de inventie va plati taxa de tiparire si eliberare a brevetului de inventie in termen de 6 luni de la publicarea hotararii.
(3) O.S.I.M., in termen de 3 luni de la data la care hotararea de acordare a brevetului a ramas definitiva, tipareste descrierile, revendicarile si desenele, in fascicul, si elibereaza brevetul de inventie titularului de brevet.
(4) Dupa eliberarea brevetului de inventie, titularul datoreaza taxele de mentinere in vigoare a brevetului, pe perioada de la data depozitului reglementar pana la eliberarea brevetului conform legii. Aceste taxe se platesc o data pentru toata perioada, in maximum 3 luni de la data eliberarii brevetului de inventie.
(5) In cazul in care titularul nu a achitat taxele de mentinere in vigoare conform pct. (4) de mai sus, O.S.I.M. publica decaderea brevetului de inventie in Buletinul Oficial de Proprietate Industriala, imediat dupa expirarea termenului. Titularul poate cere la O.S.I.M. revalidarea brevetului in conditiile prevazute de art. 40 din lege.
CAP. 3
Protectia prin brevet a noilor soiuri de plante si rase de animale
Regula 39 – Definitii
Soi inseamna un grup de plante ce apartin unui taxon botanic cunoscut, de rangul cel mai scazut, care raspunde conditiilor pentru acordarea unui brevet de inventie, cu recunoasterea dreptului de ameliorator:
- definit prin expresia caracterelor unui anumit genotip sau unei combinatii de genotipuri;
- - distinct de orice alt grup de plante, prin cel putin un caracter;
- - considerat ca o entitate cu privire la aptitudinea sa de a fi reprodus intocmai.
Rasa inseamna un grup de animale ce apartin unei specii sau varietati de animale cunoscute, de rangul cel mai scazut, care raspund conditiilor pentru acordarea unui brevet de inventie cu recunoasterea dreptului de ameliorator.
Material de inmultire pentru soiuri inseamna seminte, rasaduri, material de plantat, diferite parti de plante folosite pentru inmultire.
Material de inmultire pentru rase inseamna embrioni, sperma, animale vii, oua folosite pentru inmultire.
Ameliorator inseamna persoana fizica care a creat sau a descoperit si dezvoltat un soi sau o rasa. In cazul in care la aceasta au contribuit mai multe persoane, toate sunt considerate amelioratori.
Dreptul amelioratorului inseamna dreptul exclusiv al titularului de brevet de inventie de a exploata inventia al carei obiect il constituie un soi de planta sau o rasa de animal.
Mentinator inseamna persoana fizica sau juridica responsabila in mentinerea unui soi sau a unei rase; in cazul de fata, titularul brevetului de inventie poate fi amelioratorul, persoana fizica sau juridica, careia i-a fost transmis acest drept sau succesorul sau in drepturi.
Regula 40 – Competente
(1) Potrivit legii, O.S.I.M. elibereaza brevete de inventie pentru noile soiuri de plante si rase de animale, daca acestea respecta conditiile prevazute de art. 7 alin. 3 si art. 11 din lege.
Nici o alta conditie nu poate fi impusa pentru eliberarea brevetului de inventie, daca solicitantul indeplineste toate formalitatile prevazute de prezentul regulament. (2) O.S.I.M. considera indeplinite conditiile prevazute de art. 7 alin. 3 si art. 11 din lege, daca ele au fost confirmate in scris de catre autoritatile competente carora le revine responsabilitatea cu privire la verificarea si testarea noilor soiuri sau rase.
(3) Prin acordarea brevetului de inventie se recunoaste dreptul de ameliorator al soiului sau rasei, pentru o perioada de minimum 20 de ani, drept ce va fi inscris in brevetul eliberat.
(4) In cazul in care noul soi de planta sau noua rasa de animal au fost create in conditiile prevazute de art. 5 alin. 1 lit. a) sau alin. 2 din lege de catre amelioratorul care este salariat, titularul brevetului de inventie va fi unitatea in care s-a creat soiul sau rasa, acesteia recunoscindu-i-se dreptul de ameliorator al soiului sau rasei, cu obligatia legala de a plati o remuneratie suplimentara, echitabila, amelioratorului soiului sau rasei, remuneratie stabilita prin act aditional la contractul de munca individual al acestuia.
Regula 41 - Conditii specifice pentru existenta unei inventii brevetabile al carei obiect este un soi sau o rasa
A. Noutatea
(1) Soiul sau rasa sunt considerate noi in sensul art. 7 alin. 3 si art. 11 din lege, daca, la data depunerii cererii pentru acordarea protectiei, materialul de inmultire recoltat nu a fost vandut sau nu a fost pus la dispozitia tertilor printr-un alt mod de catre ameliorator sau cu acordul acestuia, in urmatoarele conditii:
(i) pe teritoriul Romaniei cu un an inaintea depunerii cererii de brevet de inventie;
(ii) pe teritoriul altor state cu mai mult de 4 ani inaintea depunerii cererii de brevet de inventie sau 6 ani inaintea inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie pentru arbori, pomi fructiferi si vita-de-vie.
(2) Faptul ca un soi este cunoscut sau ca existenta sa a fost dezvaluita nu face ca acesta sa-si piarda noutatea in sensul pct. (1) de mai sus.
B. Distinctivitatea
(1) Soiul sau rasa sunt considerate distincte daca se disting clar de orice alt soi sau rasa a caror existenta este notoriu cunoscuta la data inregistrarii cererii.
(2) In particular, depozitul unei cereri de brevet de inventie sau inscrierea unui soi intr-un registru oficial din orice alta tara este considerat ca notoriu cunoscut incepand cu data depozitului reglementar al cererii, cu conditia ca acesta sa conduca la acordarea protectie sau, dupa caz, cu data la care acest soi a fost inscris intr-un registru oficial de noi soiuri.
C. Omogenitatea
(1) Soiul sau rasa vor fi considerate omogene daca sunt suficient de uniforme in caracterele lor, relevante sub rezerva unei variatii previzibile, tinand seama de particularitatile lor de inmultire sexuala sau vegetativa.
D. Stabilitatea
Soiul sau rasa vor fi considerate stabile daca dupa inmultiri repetate sau, in cazul unui ciclu de inmultire, la sfarsitul fiecarui ciclu, raman neschimbate in ceea ce priveste caracterele relevante.
Regula 42 - Inregistrarea si publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie (1) Inregistrarea si publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie se fac in conditiile prevazute de lege si de prezentul regulament, cu urmatoarele cerinte suplimentare:
a) soiul sau rasa vor fi individualizate prin denumire, asa cum prevede regulamentul, atat in cererea de brevet de inventie, cat si in descriere si revendicare; b) pentru respectarea conditiei de unitate a inventiei, pentru fiecare soi sau rasa identificata prin denumirea sa se vor intocmi cereri de brevet de inventie separate;
c) la cererea de brevet de inventie se va anexa o declaratie a solicitantului, din care sa rezulte ca soiul sau rasa nu au fost oferite pentru vanzare sau comercializare in Romania cu un an inaintea depunerii cererii de brevet de inventie la O.S.I.M., sau in strainatate, cu 4 ani inainte;
d) la cererea de brevet solicitantul trebuie sa anexeze o declaratie cu privire la efectuarea testelor conform prevederilor art. 7 alin. 3 din lege. In cazul in care aceste teste exista, ele trebuie sa fie anexate si trebuie sa provina de la o autoritate competenta;
e) descrierea si revendicarile vor fi insotite, daca este necesar, de fotografii ale soiului sau rasei, realizate color sau alb-negru, cu indicarea codului de culoare;
f) actele de prioritate, in cazul solicitantilor straini care au efectuat un prim depozit in alta tara membra a Conventiei de la Paris, trebuie sa contina rezultatele testelor emise de autoritatea competenta privind indeplinirea conditiilor prevazute la art. 7 alin. 3 din lege.
(2) Descrierea soiului sau rasei trebuie sa fie astfel intocmita incat sa evidentieze caracteristicile si conditiile impuse de art. 7 alin. 3 si art. 11 din lege, in urmatoarele capitole expuse succesiv in ordinea de mai jos:
a) Titlul (denumirea) noului soi sau a noii rase
Titlul va cuprinde denumirea generica a noului soi sau a noii rase, denumirea ei stiintifica in limba latina (gen, specie, subspecie, varietate, covarietate), in conformitate cu codul international pentru nomenclatura plantelor cultivate si a raselor;
b) Domeniul de activitate, cu precizarea pozitiei taxonomice.
Acest capitol va cuprinde modul de ameliorare a noului soi de planta sau a noii rase de animale (incrucisare, selectie etc.), domeniul de aplicare (agricultura, legumicultura, pomicultura, floricultura, viticultura, sericicultura, zootehnie etc.).
c) Stadiul cunoscut al tehnicii
Acest capitol va cuprinde o scurta prezentare a soiurilor sau raselor de aceeasi categorie, cu care se aseamana si s-ar putea confunda. Se vor prezenta, pe scurt, caracterele morfologice, fiziologice, biochimice si de productie ale acestor soiuri si rase, dupa caz.
d) Problema pe care o rezolva inventia
In acest capitol se prezinta problema pe care o rezolva noul soi de planta sau noua rasa de animal si care se poate referi la urmatoarele probleme principale:
- productii mai mari si asigurate;
- rezistenta sporita la factorii naturali nefavorabili;
- rezistenta sporita la agentii patogeni (boli si daunatori);
- marirea procentului de substante utile etc.
e) Prezentarea solutiei tehnice
In acest capitol se prezinta caracterele importante: morfologice, fiziologice, biochimice, distincte, omogene si stabile ale noului soi de planta sau ale noii rase de animal.
f) Prezentarea fotografiilor (figurilor)
La fiecare descriere se vor anexa fotografiile de foarte buna calitate, care sa ilustreze aspectul plantei intregi si al partilor constructive reprezentative (ramuri, frunze, inflorescente, flori, fructe intregi si sectionate, seminte), daca este necesar pentru identificare.
La acestea, daca autorul considera necesar, se pot adauga si alte aspecte. Acelasi lucru este valabil si pentru noile rase.
In cazul in care se revendica culori sau nuante de culori, la descriere se anexeaza, in mod obligatoriu, fotografii color.
Descrierea detaliata a noului soi de planta sau a noii rase de animal (exemplu de realizare)
Acest capitol va cuprinde, in prima parte, locul si modul de obtinere a noului soi de planta sau a noii rase de animal (genitorii, modul de lucru, lucrarile de ameliorare si de selectie, eventual si scheme de lucru).
Descrierea se va face conform normelor stabilite de autoritatile competente, in conformitate cu standardele internationale.
Vor fi prezentate caracterele fiziologice, rezistenta la factorii climatici, la boli, la cadere, precocitate, perioada de vegetatie, scuturare, biochimice (gustul, aroma, parfumul), precum si continutul in elemente chimice si de productie la unitatea de suprafata.
In cadrul descrierilor este recomandabil ca nuantele de culori sa fie prezentate sub forma unor indici de culoare, conform unui catalog oficial.
In acest capitol se vor prezenta si sub forma enuntiativa, fara motivari, principalele avantaje care se obtin prin cultivarea noului soi sau a noii rase, conform inventiei, fara indicarea valorilor economice sau sociale.
(3) Revendicarile trebuie sa indeplineasca urmatoarele cerinte:
- sa fie clare, concise, sa reflecte caracterele morfologice si fiziologice distincte ale soiului sau rasei care la individualizeaza si care sa fie omogene si stabile;
- in preambulul primei revendicari independente se vor trece denumirea soiului sau rasei, cu denumirea taxonomica a speciei, precum si elementele din prima faza a descrierii; dupa expresia: "caracterizat prin aceea ca ..." se vor enunta caracterele morfologice relevante, care permit individualizarea noului soi sau a noii rase;
- in revendicarea a doua, dependenta de prima, se vor prezenta caracteristicile fiziologice;
- in revendicarea a treia, dependenta de prima si a doua, se vor prezenta caracteristicile biochimice si tehnologice.
Se pot formula si alte revendicari dependente, care sa detalieze revendicarile independente la care se refera sau care pot sa prezinte o metoda sau un procedeu de utilizare a soiului sau rasei respective ori alte caracteristici.
(4) Rezultatul inventiei trebuie sa contina denumirea completa a noului soi sau a noii rase, inclusiv denumirea taxonomica, domeniul de aplicare, principalele caractere morfologice, fiziologice si tehnologice, care le individualizeaza.
Regula 43 - Denumirea soiului sau rasei
(1) Soiul de planta sau rasa de animal vor fi desemnate printr-o denumire destinata identificarii si desemnarii lor genetice.
(2) Denumirea nu trebuie sa fie compusa numai din cifre, cu exceptia cazurilor cand aceasta practica este recunoscuta pentru desemnarea soiurilor sau raselor respective. Ea nu trebuie sa induca in eroare sau sa dea nastere la confuzii cu privire la caracteristicile, valoarea sau identificarea soiului, rasei sau cu privire la identificarea producatorului. Ea trebuie sa fie diferita de alte denumiri existente.
(3) Denumirea soiului sau rasei este indicata de producator o data cu inregistrarea cererii de brevet de inventie. Daca O.S.I.M. constata ca denumirea nu raspunde exigentelor de la pct. (2) de mai sus, se refuza inregistrarea denumirii si se cere producatorului sa propuna o alta denumire, intr-un termen de 2 luni de la data inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie.
Denumirea soiului sau a rasei va fi inscrisa in brevetul de inventie eliberat.
(4) Drepturile anterioare ale tertilor nu vor fi afectate daca, in virtutea unui drept anterior, utilizarea denumirilor soiului sau rasei este interzisa unei persoane care, conform pct. (6) de mai jos este obligata sa o foloseasca; in acest caz, O.S.I.M. va cere solicitantului sa dea o alta denumire acestuia.
(5) O.S.I.M. va inregistra denumirea asa cum este ceruta de solicitantul strain, cu exceptia cazurilor cand aceasta denumire este neadecvata pe teritoriul Romaniei si, in acest caz, se va cere solicitantului sa propuna o alta denumire.
(6) Orice alta persoana, care ofera pentru vanzare materiale pentru inmultire dintr-un soi sau o rasa protejata pe teritoriul Romaniei, este obligata sa foloseasca denumirea inregistrata la O.S.I.M. chiar si dupa expirarea termenului
de protectie, cu exceptia dispozitiilor pct. (4) de mai sus referitor la drepturile anterioare.
(7) In cazul in care solicitantul a omis sa indice, in cererea de brevet de inventie si/sau descriere, denumirea soiului sau rasei, O.S.I.M. va notifica aceasta solicitantului, acordindu-i un termen pentru completarea cererii de brevet de inventie cu denumirea propusa.
(8) Atunci cand denumirea propusa nu satisface cerintele cuprinse in pct. (1)- (7), O.S.I.M. notifica aceasta solicitantului, invitindu-l sa-si modifice denumirea intr-un termen acordat. Daca solicitantul nu da curs acestei invitatii in termenul acordat, cererea de brevet de inventie de soi sau rasa se respinge.
(9) Atunci cand un soi sau rasa sunt oferite pentru vanzare, acestea pot fi insotite de o marca, de o denumire comerciala sau de alte indicatii similare, care permit sa fie usor recunoscute.
(10) Pentru comercializarea unui nou soi sau a unei noi rase care a obtinut protectie, trebuie sa se eticheteze materialul de inmultire in mod vizibil, astfel incat sa fie usor recunoscut si/sau poate fi insotit de un semn distinctiv.
(11) O.S.I.M. va publica in Buletinul Oficial de Proprietate Industriala denumirile soiurilor sau raselor, conform regulii.
Regula 44 - Testele pentru soiuri si rase
(1) In cazul in care, la inregistrarea cererii de brevet de inventie, solicitantul declara ca soiul sau rasa nu au fost verificate si testate de autoritatea competenta, O.S.I.M. va invita imediat solicitantul sa transmita autoritatilor competente documentele necesare si sa informeze in scris O.S.I.M. asupra datei la care aceste documente au fost depuse. In acelasi timp, O.S.I.M. va notifica si autoritatii competente datele cererii de brevet de inventie inregistrate.
(2) Autoritatea competenta pentru primirea documentatiei necesare va stabili locul si data testarii soiului sau rasei, va notifica aceasta solicitantului, putand totodata sa ceara, intr-un anumit termen, solicitantului, urmatoarele:
a) furnizarea de materiale pentru efectuarea testelor de crestere;
b) furnizarea informatiilor pentru efectuarea testelor de crestere a soiului sau rasei respective;
c) va desemna cantitatea si natura materialului de inmultire necesar testelor;
d) felul testelor si metodelor standard ce se aplica.
(3) Autoritatea responsabila cu efectuarea testarilor va informa periodic solicitantul asupra stadiului si problemelor ce se ivesc in timpul testarilor, solicitindu-i acestuia, dupa caz, asistenta tehnica.
(4) La incheierea lucrarilor de testare, autoritatea responsabila cu efectuarea testarilor va redacta un raport care va trebui sa contina:
a) rezultatele testarilor;
b) caracteristicile morfologice si fiziologice ale soiului sau rasei, analizate in comparatie cu cele ale genitorilor din care provine;
c) concluziile privind conditiile prevazute in art. 7 alin. 3 si art. 11 din lege.
Acest raport se transmite sub semnatura, in copie, direct la O.S.I.M. si la solicitant, intr-un interval de 2 ani de la inceperea testelor.
(5) Solicitantul, in termen de 2 luni de la primirea raportului, are posibilitatea de a se pronunta asupra rezultatelor transmise de autoritatea respectiva.
(6) In cazul nerespectarii termenelor de efectuare a testelor sau in caz de litigiu, O.S.I.M. va apela la alte autoritati calificate din tara sau din strainatate, in vederea efectuarii acestor teste.
(7) In cazul in care autoritatea responsabila cu efectuarea testarilor este ea insasi solicitantul unui brevet de inventie, raportul privind rezultatele testarilor va fi avizat de o alta autoritate competenta din Romania.
(8) In procedura de examinare, O.S.I.M. va lua in considerare testele efectuate de alte autoritati competente din strainatate, daca acestea sunt parti la tratate si conventii internationale la care este si Romania parte sau pe baza de reciprocitate.
Regula 45 - Examinarea cererilor de brevet de inventie care au ca obiect un soi de planta sau o rasa de animal
(1) Examinarea in fond a cererilor se efectueaza dupa verificarea conditiilor prevazute de regula 28.
(2) Examinarea in fond a cererilor de brevet de inventie care au ca obiect un soi de planta sau o rasa de animal consta in analiza indeplinirii conditiilor prevazute de art. 7 alin. 3 si art. 11 din lege, precum si a respectarii prevederilor din regulile referitoare la testele de crestere efectuate de catre autoritatile competente.
(3) In cazul in care se constata ca sunt indeplinite conditiile prevazute la pct. (1) de mai sus, O.S.I.M. hotaraste acordarea brevetului de inventie; in caz contrar, cererea de brevet de inventie se respinge.
(4) Pentru alte proceduri decat cele prevazute in prezentul capitol, se aplica dispozitiile regulamentului privind examinarea cererii de brevet de inventie.
Regula 46 - Drepturile si obligatiile ce decurg din protectia prin brevet de inventie a soiurilor si raselor
(1) In conformitate cu art. 34 si 35 din lege, urmatoarele acte privitoare la materialul de inmultire necesita autorizatia amelioratorului sau succesorului sau in drepturi:
(2) i) producerea sau reproducerea (multiplicarea);
ii) conditionarea in scopul inmultirii;
iii) oferirea pentru vanzare;
iv) vanzarea sau alte forme de comercializare;
v) exportarea;
vi) importarea;
vii) stocarea in scopul efectuarii actelor de mai sus.
Amelioratorul sau succesorul sau in drepturi poate acorda autorizatia in anumite conditii sau cu anumite limitari.
(3) In conformitate cu art. 34 si 35 din lege, actele privitoare la materialul recoltat, prezentate la pct. (1) (i-vii) necesita, de asemenea, autorizatia amelioratorului sau a succesorului sau in drepturi.
(4) Prevederile cuprinse la pct. (1)-(3) din prezenta regula se aplica pentru:
i) soiurile sau rasele care deriva dintr-un soi sau o rasa protejata, cu exceptia cazului in care soiul sau rasa protejata nu sunt ele insele provenite din soiuri sau rase derivate;
ii) soiurile sau rasele care nu se disting clar, respectiv nu indeplinesc conditiile prevazute de art. 7 alin. 3 din lege si din regula 46 din prezentul regulament;
iii) soiurile sau rasele a caror producere necesita folosirea repetata a unui soi sau a unei rase protejate;
iv) soiurile sau rasele derivate, ce pot fi obtinute prin selectarea unei mutante naturale sau induse sau obtinute somaclonal, selectia unui individ din soiul initial, retroincrucisare sau transformare prin inginerie genetica.
Regula 47 - Exceptii privind dreptul amelioratorului
(1) Dreptul amelioratorului nu se extinde si la urmatoarele acte:
i) actele efectuate intr-un cadru privat sau pentru scopuri necomerciale;
ii) actele efectuate in scopul crearii altor soiuri sau rase, conform regulii anterioare;
iii) actele efectuate in scop experimental.
(3) Dreptul amelioratorului nu se extinde nici in cazul actelor efectuate de micii fermieri care cumpara material de inmultire dintr-un soi sau o rasa protejata, in scopul cultivarii pentru consum.
Regula 48 - Obligatiile titularului de brevet de inventie
Titularul brevetului de inventie pentru un soi de planta sau o rasa de animal este obligat sa fie mentinatorul pe toata durata de valabilitate de protectie, respectiv sa detina material de inmultire.
In cazul in care, pe perioada de protectie, titularul nu poate furniza, la cererea autoritatii competente, material de inmultire, aceasta autoritate va notifica O.S.I.M. ca titularul este considerat decazut din drepturi.
O.S.I.M. va inscrie decaderea in registrul brevetelor de inventie si o va publica in Buletinul Oficial de Proprietate Industriala.
CAP. 4
Dispozitii privind aplicarea art. 5 din lege - inventiile salariatilor
Regula 49 - Dreptul salariatului la brevet de inventie
(1) Dreptul la brevetul de inventie, in cazul inventiilor create de salariat, apartine salariatului, in urmatoarele situatii:
a) exista o clauza contractuala prin care dreptul la brevet de inventie apartine salariatului;
b) inventia a fost creata in conditiile art. 5 alin. 1 lit. b) din lege si nu exista o clauza contrara intr-un contract privind inventiile salariatului;
c) inventia realizata de salariat in timpul contractului individual de munca nu este in legatura cu activitatea unitatii si nu a fost creata prin exercitarea functiei salariatului sau;
d) inventia se creeaza intr-una din situatiile de la regula 40 si salariatul a informat in scris unitatea, conform prevederilor de la regula 50, dar, in termen de 60 de zile de la data informarii, unitatea nu a depus cererea de brevet de inventie la O.S.I.M. si nu exista o alta conventie intre parti;
e) unitatea nu este interesata, conform prevederilor art. 65 alin. 2 din lege.
Regula 50 - Dreptul unitatii la brevetul de inventie
(1) Potrivit art. 5 din lege, dreptul la brevetul de inventie, in cazul inventiilor create de salariati, apartine unitatii, in urmatoarele situatii:
a) inventia a fost creata in cadrul unui contract cu misiune inventiva. Contractul cu misiune inventiva poate fi un contract individual de munca incheiat la angajare, un contract de munca reinnoit, care prevede o misiune inventiva sau un act anexat la contractul de munca individual existent, daca intervine o misiune inventiva.
Misiunea inventiva va face obiectul unei clauze speciale a contractului, prin care se stabileste, in mod explicit, domeniul tehnic, problema sau problemele tehnice, pentru a caror rezolvare salariatul se angajeaza sa le solutioneze cu aport creativ corespunzator functiei sale;
b) inventia a fost creata in cadrul unui contract de cercetare.
In contractul de cercetare se poate prevedea o clauza prin care dreptul la eliberarea brevetului de inventie apartine fie unitatii care a comandat cercetarea, fie unitatii de cercetare, fie ambelor unitati.
Daca in contractul de cercetare nu este prevazuta o asemenea clauza, dreptul la brevet de inventie apartine unitatii care a comandat cercetarea;
c) inventia a fost creata in conditiile art. 5 alin. 1 lit. b) din lege si exista, intr-un contract incheiat cu salariatul, o clauza prin care dreptul la eliberarea brevetului de inventie apartine unitatii.
Regula 51 - Relatiile dintre salariatii - inventatori si unitatea in care lucreaza
(1) Salariatul, autor al unei inventii, trebuie sa informeze imediat, in scris, conducatorul unitatii in care lucreaza asupra inventiei create in conditiile prevazute de art. 5 din lege.
(2) In cazul in care inventia a fost creata de mai multi inventatori, informarea va fi facuta in comun de toti inventatorii sau de imputernicitul acestora.
(3) Informarea va contine suficiente date pentru a permite unitatii sa aprecieze incadrarea inventiei intr-una din categoriile prevazute la art. 5 din lege si in regulile 49 si 50.
Informarea va contine:
- obiectul inventiei si domeniul de aplicare;
- conditiile in care a fost creata inventia;
- incadrarea inventiei in prevederile art. 5 din lege, facuta de salariatul inventator.
(4) Informarea trebuie insotita de o descriere a inventiei, in cazul in care unitatea are dreptul la brevetul de inventie.
Descrierea va expune problema pusa, tinand cont de stadiul tehnicii, solutia propusa si un exemplu de realizare.
(5) Informarea cu privire la inventie se face personal, cu numar de inregistrare la unitate prin scrisoare recomandata, astfel incat sa poata constitui un mijloc de proba al informarii unitatii, cu respectarea confidentialitatii.
(6) Termenul de 60 de zile prevazut la art. 5 alin. 5 din lege incepe sa curga de la data inregistrarii informarii insotite de descriere.
(7) Daca unitatea si salariatul nu au ajuns la o intelegere privind dreptul la brevet de inventie, litigiul este de competenta instantelor judecatoresti, conform art. 61 din lege. In acest caz, in vederea asigurarii protectiei inventiei, cererea de brevet de inventie va fi depusa la O.S.I.M. de catre inventator inainte de sesizarea instantei judecatoresti, cu obligatia acestuia de a informa unitatea.
(8) Incalcarea, in toate cazurile, a obligatiei de informare reciproca atrage raspunderea pentru prejudiciile cauzate conform art. 5 alin. 4 din lege.
(9) Unitatea si salariatul, pe tot parcursul procedurii pana la publicarea cererii de brevet de inventie, se vor abtine de la orice divulgare a inventiei.
(10) In cazul unei inventii create in conditiile art. 5 alin. 1 lit. b) din lege, pentru care dreptul la brevet de inventie apartine salariatului, acesta are obligatia sa faca prima oferta de licenta sau de cesiune unitatii al carei angajat este.
Unitatea, ca urmare a ofertei, trebuie sa-si manifeste interesul pentru preluarea de drepturi in termen de 3 luni de la oferta, in cadrul unui contract incheiat cu salariatul sau.
Daca in acest interval unitatea nu si-a exprimat interesul, inventatorul, titular al brevetului de inventie, are dreptul de a exploata inventia sa pe baza de contract cu orice tert.
Daca unitatea si-a manifestat interesul, dar nu s-a ajuns la o intelegere privind pretul contractului, litigiul se solutioneaza de instantele judecatoresti potrivit art. 61 din lege.
(11) Ministerul Apararii Nationale, Ministerul de Interne, Serviciul Roman de Informatii vor elabora metodologia privind inventiile create in domeniul lor de activitate, respectand conditiile art. 5 din lege si ale prezentului regulament.
Regula 52 - Drepturile banesti ale inventatorilor salariati
(1) In cazul inventiilor pentru care dreptul la brevet de inventie apartine unitatii, conform regulii 50, inventatorul salariat are dreptul la o remuneratie suplimentara independent de salariul de incadrare, remuneratie stabilita prin contractul cu misiune inventiva sau intr-un act aditional la contractul individual de munca, potrivit art. 5 lit. a) din lege.
(2) Cuantumul remuneratiei suplimentare, modul si termenele de plata se stabilesc prin negociere intre parti.
Remuneratia suplimentara poate consta intr-o suma fixa, independent de aplicarea inventiei si redevente.
(3) In cazul in care inventia a fost creata in cadrul unui contract de cercetare, remuneratia suplimentara cuvenita salariatului inventator se va negocia cu unitatea al carei angajat este, prin act aditional la contractul individual de munca, potrivit art. 5 alin. 2 din lege.
CAP. 5
Drepturile banesti ale inventatorilor prevazute de art. 66 alin. 2 din lege
Regula 53 - Inventiile aplicate si nerecompensate sau partial recompensate
(1) In intelesul art. 66 alin. 2 din lege, din drepturile banesti cuvenite inventatorului pentru inventiile nerecompensate sau partial recompensate pana la data intrarii in vigoare a legii se cuprind toate drepturile materiale prevazute de legile anterioare, inclusiv echivalentul banesc al celorlalte drepturi legale rezultate din calitatea de autor al inventiei, aplicate in economia nationala.
Aceste obligatii banesti sunt restante ca urmare a neindeplinirii de catre stat, reprezentat prin unitatile titulare de brevet de inventie si prin alte unitati care au aplicat inventiile, au obligatiile legale si contractuale rezultate din actul de cesiune incheiat cu privire la dreptul de eliberare a brevetului.
(2) La negocierea drepturile banesti prevazute de art. 66 alin. 2 din lege se va putea utiliza:
a) postcalculul avantajelor economice anuale obtinute prin aplicarea inventiei, intocmit de unitatea care a aplicat inventia.
In cazul in care postcalculul nu este intocmit la data intrarii in vigoare a prezentului regulament, unitatea care a aplicat inventia are obligatia, la solicitarea inventatorului, sa intocmeasca si sa aprobe postcalculul;
b) avantajele economice sau sociale stabilite de unitate prin apreciere, atunci cand nu se poate efectua un postcalcul direct al avantajelor economice (diferenta de costuri, eliminarea sau reducerea importurilor etc.).
(3) In vederea inceperii negocierii, inventatorii, pe baza postcalculul intocmit de unitatea care a aplicat inventia, solicita acesteia drepturile banesti cuvenite, completind si inaintand unitatii nota de calcul (anexa nr. 1 sau anexa nr. 2 la prezentul regulament), in functie de data inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie la O.S.I.M., respectiv inainte sau dupa data de 2 februarie 1975.
(4) Totalul inscris in nota de calcul (partea I a anexei nr. 1 sau 2) reprezinta nivelul minim de la care partile vor putea incepe negocierea.
Rezultatele negocierii se consemneaza in nota de negociere (partea a II-a a anexei nr. 1 sau 2), care se semneaza si constituie un contract ce se executa conform dispozitiilor legale.
(4) Daca partile nu ajung la o intelegere in urma negocierilor, litigiul este de competenta instantelor judecatoresti.
ANEXA 1
(pentru situatiile in care data de inregistrare a cererii de brevet de inventie este inainte de 2 februarie 1975, cand a intrat in vigoare Legea nr. 62/1974)
PARTEA I
NOTA DE CALCUL
a drepturilor banesti de la care va incepe negocierea intre unitate si inventator in baza art. 66 alin. 2 din Legea nr. 64/1991
1. Nr. brevetului de inventie si autorul(ii) ...........................
2. Unitatea care a emis postcalculul anexat al avantajelor economice sau sociale obtinute prin aplicarea inventiei si nr. de inregistrare sub care a fost emis ................................
3. Unitatea care a emis postcalculul sau care prin preluare (in totalitate sau in parte) a patrimoniului unitatii de la pct. 2 sau a activitatii aferente inventiei urmeaza sa negocieze cu inventatorul si sa faca plata direct catre inventator ............................................................
4. Economia anuala postcalculata a anului de aplicare, ales de inventator pentru negociere ......................................................
5. Recompensa calculata conform tabelului de la art. 35 din H.C.M. nr. 2250/1967 .............................................................
6. Majorarea recompensei cu 50% (conform art. 36 din H.C.M. nr. 2250/1967) .......................................................................
7. Restituirea cheltuielilor, direct catre inventator, pentru toate documentatiile tehnice sau economice, proiecte, studii, cercetari cu prototipuri si piloti, montaje si altele asemenea, efectuate de inventator pentru aplicarea inventiei, potrivit Decretului nr. 884/1967. Daca nu exista tarifare oficiala, inventatorul poate oferta:
7.1. tarifare dupa normele de proiectare - cercetare in vigoare la data ea mai apropiata de intocmire a documentatiilor, la care se aplica costul actual al orei- medii de proiectare-cercetare ..............
7.2. tarifare directa dupa tarifele actuale in vigoare ................
8. Cota in proportie de 50% din economia postcalculata a anului de negociere
ales (poz. 4) si 25% din economia postcalculata a anului urmator - cand acesti ani sunt ulteriori datei de intrare in vigoare a Decretului nr. 383/1984
(1.11.1984): 0,5 x ................ = ...............0,25 x ................ = ...............TOTAL = ..............................
9. Indexare:
Salariul minim pe economie in anul efectuarii platii
(5) + (6) + (8) x ----------------------------------------------------- Salariul minim pe economie in anul de negociere ales
10. TOTAL reprezentand obligatia fixa de plata a partii debitoare catre inventatorul cedent, pe baza contractului de cesiune legal, dintre inventator si stat si de la care incepe negocierea
(7) + (9) = .............................................Numele inventatorului: ..........................
cu si
unitatea semnatura
Data ........................
PARTEA a II-a
NOTA DE NEGOCIERE
1. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, in cazul cand durata de aplicare efectiva de catre unitate a inventiei, conform postcalculului unitatii, depaseste durata anului de aplicare pentru care s-a calculat recompensa fixa, stabilita de legea aplicabila la data inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie ............................................
Negocierea va incepe de la totalul partii I (poz. 10), din care se va stabili, de comun acord, o cota anuala care prin inmultire cu restul numarului anilor de aplicare (exclusiv anul de calcul al recompensei) determina adaosul negociat la partea I ................................
Cand inventia se aplica si in prezent se va intocmi un contract nou.
2. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, in cazul cand, prin aplicarea inventiei de catre unitate, pe langa avantajele economice postcalculate s-au obtinut si avantaje sociale, inca neevaluate, cum sunt: reducerea toxicitatii locului de munca, reducerea poluarii mediului inconjurator, reducerea efortului fizic al personalului de exploatare, disponibilizarea in alte scopuri a unor utilaje importate si altele asemenea ........................
3. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, reprezentand dobanda la creantele datorate inventatorului .............................
4. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, reprezentand contravaloarea prejudiciilor materiale si sociale produse inventatorului, urmare incalcarii obligatiilor legale de catre unitatea care a aplicat inventia (neanuntarea O.S.I.M., neinscrierea in plan a sarcinilor de experimentare, depasirea termenului legal de experimentare etc.) .............
5. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, reprezentand diferenta dintre impozitul datorat la data negocierii si impozitul datorat la data cand dupa lege trebuia facuta plata ........................................
6. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, reprezentand prestatia in ore peste program si cu cheltuieli proprii ale inventatorului pentru intocmirea formelor de brevetare, prevazute de lege a fi executate cu aportul unitatii ............
7. TOTAL stabilit prin negociere directa intre inventator si unitate: (1) + (2) + (3) + (4) + (5) + (6) = ...................................
8. Plata integrala sau partiala in suma de ................ se va face la data de ........... prin virare in contul personal al inventatorului nr. ...... deschis la ............
9. Pentru diferenta neachitata de lei ................ se intocmeste un act care va fi autentificat.
Conducerea unitatii, Inventator,
..................... .............
Data ................
ANEXA 2
(pentru situatiile in care data de inregistrare a cererii de brevet este dupa 2 februarie 1975, cand a intrat in vigoare Legea nr. 62/1974)
PARTEA I
NOTA DE CALCUL a drepturilor banesti de la care va incepe negocierea intre unitate si inventator in baza art. 66 alin. 2 din Legea nr. 64/1991
1. Nr. brevetului de inventie si autorul(ii) ...........................
2. Unitatea care a emis postcalculul anexat al avantajelor economice sau sociale obtinute prin aplicarea inventiei si nr. de inregistrare sub care a fost emis ..................................................................
3. Unitatea care a emis postcalculul sau care, prin preluare (in totalitate sau in parte) a patrimoniului unitatii de la pct. 2 sau a activitatii
aferente inventiei, urmeaza sa negocieze cu inventatorul si sa faca plata direct catre inventator ............................................................
4. Economiile anuale postcalculate din 5 (cinci) ani de aplicare consecutivi alesi din postcalcul de inventator pentru negociere ........................
5. Recompensele anuale calculate conform tabelului 4 din Decretul nr. 93/1976 pentru fiecare an din cei 5 (cinci) ani de aplicare consecutivi, plafonate anual la 3 salarii cercetator gr. I .................................
6. TOTALUL recompenselor calculate la poz. 5 ..............................
7. Cota in proportie de 50% din economia postcalculata a primului an de negociere ales si 25% din economia postcalculata a anului urmator cand acesti ani sunt ulteriori datei de intrare in vigoare a Decretului nr. 383/1984 (1.11.1984):
8. 0,5 x ................ = ...............
0,25 x ................ = ...............
8. Echivalentul banesc al drepturilor legale rezultate din calitatea de autor al inventiei aplicate in economia nationala (indemnizatia baneasca prevazuta de titlul stiintific in vigoare de la data cand trebuia facuta plata recompensei pana la negociere, plus indemnizatiile pentru ordin si medalie in aceeasi perioada; valoarea treptelor intre salariul inventatorului si gradul profesional urmator de care a fost lipsit, precum si indemnizatia de conducere prevazuta de functia urmatoare de la orice loc de munca al inventatorului, ambele de la data cand trebuia facuta plata inventiei pana la negociere) .......
9. Indexare:
Salariul minim pe economie in anul efectuarii platii
(5) + (7) + (8) x ---------------------------------------------------------
Salariul minim pe economie in primul an de negociere ales
10. TOTAL reprezentand obligatia fixa de plata a partii debitoare catre inventatorul cedent, pe baza contractului de cesiune dintre inventator si stat si de la care incepe negocierea cu unitatea ...............
Numele si semnatura inventatorului ..........................
Data ........................
PARTEA a II-a
NOTA DE NEGOCIERE
1. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, in cazul cand durata de aplicare efectiva de catre unitate a inventiei, conform postcalculului unitatii, depaseste durata celor 5 (cinci) ani consecutivi de aplicare pentru care s-a calculat recompensa fixa stabilita de legea aplicabila la data inregistrarii cererii de brevet de inventie ............................................
Negocierea va incepe de la totalul partii I (poz. 10), din care se va stabili, de comun acord, o cota anuala care prin inmultire cu restul numarului anilor de aplicare (exclusiv cei 5 (cinci) ani consecutivi de calcul al recompensei) determina adaosul negociat la partea I ..........................
Cand inventia se aplica si in prezent se va intocmi un contract nou.
2. Adaos prin negociere la partea I in cazul cand prin aplicarea inventiei de catre unitate, pe langa avantajele economice postcalculate s-au obtinut si avantaje sociale inca neevaluate, cum sunt: reducerea toxicitatii locului de munca, reducerea poluarii mediului inconjurator, reducerea efortului fizic al personalului de exploatare, disponibilizarea in alte scopuri a unor utilaje importate si altele asemenea ........................
3. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, reprezentand dobanda la creantele datorate inventatorului .............................
4. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, reprezentand contravaloarea prejudiciilor materiale si sociale produse inventatorului, urmare incalcarii obligatiilor legale de catre unitatea care a aplicat inventia (neanuntarea O.S.I.M., neinscrierea in plan a sarcinilor de experimentare, depasirea termenului legal de experimentare etc.) .............
5. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, reprezentand diferenta dintre impozitul datorat la data negocierii si impozitul datorat la data cand dupa lege trebuia facuta plata ........................................
6. Adaos prin negociere la partea I, reprezentand prestatia in ore peste program si cu cheltuieli proprii ale inventatorului pentru intocmirea formelor de brevetare prevazute de lege a fi executate cu aportul unitatii ............
7. TOTAL stabilit prin negociere directa intre inventator si unitate:
(1) + (2) + (3) + (4) + (5) + (6) = ...................................
8. Plata integrala sau partiala in suma de ................ se va face la data de ........... prin virare in contul personal al inventatorului nr. ...... deschis la ............
9. Pentru diferenta neachitata de lei ................ se intocmeste un act care va fi autentificat.
Conducerea unitatii, Inventator,
..................... .............
Data ................