BUSINESS BRIEF: SWEDEN


BUSINESS BRIEF: SWEDEN Patents


How do you register or secure patent rights, and is national or international coverage most appropriate?


A Swedish patent application is filed with the Swedish Patent and Registration Office, and is granted for a term of up to 20 years from the submission date (if the annual renewal fees are paid), with an extension of up to five years possible for medical and plant protection patents.


Te national application can be filed in Swedish, but there is also the opportunity to prepare for the international phase by filing an application in English, with a later supplement in Swedish.


Under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, international patents designating Sweden have the same effect as a national application, covering the Swedish territory.


What are the costs of obtaining and defending a patent?


Te basic filing fee for a Swedish national patent is SEK 3,000 (€340), with an additional fee for each patent claim beyond the first 10 of SEK 150 (€17). Te issue fee is SEK 1,400 (€158), and SEK 175 (€20), for each page exceeding eight. Attorney fees have to be paid for the filing and examination proceedings. Te costs for a district court decision tend to range between SEK 300,000 (€34,000) and SEK 2 million (€226,000), depending on the complexity of the case.


Where can you find information on existing patents in your jurisdiction ?


Te Swedish patent database can be found at the website of the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV, www.prv.se).


Is there anything unusual about the patent law that companies should be aware of? What are the most common mistakes businesses make?


Filing a patent application in Sweden is a quick and inexpensive way to get a patent protection. Te first


office action is issued within six months from the filing date, and this office action can in fact be the formal information that the patent office intends to grant the patent. Within a further approximately three to four months—aſter payment of all official fees—the patent will be granted and issued.


Te most common mistake is that even large companies inform the media and possible financial partners before securing the patent with an application or, at least, a proper non-disclosure agreement.


What are the key threats to patent owners, and what is the best strategy if you suspect someone is infringing your patent?


Patent infringement, especially in the medical and soſtware technology sectors, is rather common. In case of infringements by business partners, mediation is the best way to find a solution; in other cases a distinct cease and desist letter is the best start.


Have there been any changes to the patent law(s) in the last 12 months?


Te Swedish government is reviewing the possibility of filing Swedish national patent applications in English. A special investigator has been appointed to decide whether it should be possible to get Swedish patents granted in English, and his proposal is expected later in 2012.


Trademarks


How do you register or secure trademark rights, and what protection does it grant? Trademark protection in Sweden can be obtained by use, by a national Swedish trademark registration, by a Madrid protocol registration covering Sweden and/or by a Community trademark registration.


An unregistered trademark is protected only in the part of Sweden where it has become used and known, and only as long as it is in use.


All other formally registered trademarks have full protection in Sweden, preventing third parties from using and registering a trademark, design


140 World Intellectual Property Review Annual 2012


or company name that is confusingly similar and related to the same, or similar, goods or services.


What are the costs of registering and defending a trademark?


Te official filing fee for a Swedish trademark application is 1,500 SEK (€170), and SEK 700 (€80) per additional class (if filed electronically). Te costs for a district court decision tend to range between 60,000 SEK (€6,800) and 150,000 SEK (€17,000).


What are the key threats to trademark owners and what is the best strategy for dealing with infringement?


Online infringement is the most common threat, with fake websites and online sale of piracy goods. As to patent-related disputes, the easiest and best way is to start with a formal cease and desist letter.


What are the most common mistakes trademark owners make?


Again, the most common mistake is not registering corresponding domain names prior to the application of the trademark. Cybersquatters know exactly what is going on with regard to new trademarks and products, and register these as domain names prior to the right holders.


Also, within a grace period of five years, the trademark needs to be used as registered and for the goods and services covered by the registration. If it is not used, a third party can apply for full or partial cancellation of the trademark registration.


Have there been any changes to the trademarks law(s) in the last 12 months?


Te New Swedish Trademarks act (SFS 2010: 1877) came into force on July 1, 2011. Te act has been modernised and simplified, adapting both EU and international regulations, and has made it possible for Sweden to join the Singapore Treaty on the Laws of Trademark.


Some of the changes in the new Act are (i) rejection of an application in full or in part; (ii)


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