Laws and regulations governing the patent process

The legislation in Sweden.

International regulations, PCT

Policies concerning patent applications at PRV

PRV's guidelines for the patent department

Our service commitment to you as our customer:
We strive to be one of the foremost patent offices, providing short delivery times and high quality in search and examination. In our service commitment, we describe our commitments in more detail.

Service commitment

Library

The library is responsible for both internal and external information services. It provides a relevant range of databases and other information resources to support the novelty searches in the patent application process. The library conducts further training activities in order to ensure patent examiners skills in information retrieval. PRV's library is also a national expert library to the public in the field of intellectual property and patent information, and is a part of a network of academic libraries, with a special mission to promote research and development in Sweden.

Legal unit

The legal unit actively participates in national and international legislation developments and is represented in all groups presented below, except for GER. The legal unit also serves as a support function for patent examiners in patent-related legal issues.

Senior Patent Examiner

Patent examiners with a particular interest in patent practice have the opportunity to undergo an internal training program with the aim of becoming a Senior Patent Examiner. The program normally extends over two to three years, during which time the candidate undertakes a number of course modules primarily relating to patent practice. The training program concludes with an examination and a thesis. Having passed the examination, a Senior Patent Examiner may be granted the further authority to reject patent applications and to chair opposition proceedings. Each technical unit in the patent department has at least one Senior Patent Examiner assisting the Head of Unit in matters regarding patent quality assurance.

Council of Senior Patent Examiners (PER)

PER consists of a number of Senior Patent Examiners led by a chairman. Among other duties, the council is responsible for assessing and measuring patent examination quality, e.g. by reviewing reports and communications and reviewing complaints, and for the harmonization of patent practice across the technical units of the patent department.

Working group for planning-evaluation-assessment (PUB)

The group's task is primarily to support certainty in decisions taken in the patent process. PUB is responsible for continuously improving the patent department's guidelines to ensure that decisions are consistent with prevailing patent practice. Members of the group have a particular expertise in the legislative framework and applied practice in relation to the specific technology area in which they are active (mechanical, chemical or electrical engineering). PUB also actively monitors and communicates current national and international patent practice.

Council of search experts (GER)

GER is a working group consisting of patent examiners who specialize in search tools and search strategies. The group develops, implements and ensures access to effective and qualitative search tools and databases. GER is also responsible for training and supporting all patent examiners in matters relating to search strategies and methods.

Process development

The Process Council (PrR) governs the internal process development at the Patent Department. Here, decisions regarding improvements in the internal practices and routines are made. The Working Group for the Patent Process (PrG) supports the Process Council with studies and analyses, and assists with the implementation of the Council's decisions. The Process Council is chaired by the Process Owner, while PrG is a multifunctional working group consisting of formalities officers, patent examiners and a lawyer.

Training and education

The Patent Department has a comprehensive program for internal training of new employees, and also programs for further training of staff. The basic level of training aims to ensure that new employees obtain the knowledge and skills required to effectively deliver high-quality services to our customers. The duration of the program for patent examiners is individual and normally lasts at least 18 months. To improve their skills and to meet our quality requirements, patent examiners also participate in recurring refresher programs as well as other internal and external training courses.