As clients will already be aware, Spoor & Fisher have invested in a new IP management system based on Maxim´s InProma technology, which we call SpoorData.
For the past 25 years we have used a computer bureau to manage our patent and design renewals. These cases are now being transferred to SpoorData. This transition will be implemented in three phases, each determined by the country in which the case has been filed or granted.
Phase 1 - Southern African cases
The first phase encompasses all cases in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Swaziland, as well as any remaining cases in the former territories of Bophuthatswana, Transkei and Venda.
Phase 2 - African cases
The second phase encompasses all cases in the remainder of the African continent.
Phase 3- Foreign cases
The third phase encompasses all remaining cases, i.e. those outside Africa.
The benefit of our using SpoorData for managing patent and design renewals will be noticeable in the following respects:
- The appearance of our reminders and other renewals correspondence: we will use our formal letterhead and not the informal headers as in the past;
- Our reminders will no longer be produced on a monthly basis: rather they will be produced and dispatched daily;
- Clients that have access to SpoorData´s Web Access Module (WAM) will be able to check the renewal status of their patent and design cases online;
- We will be able to deal with clients´ special billing and correspondence requirements (Standing Instructions) more efficiently.
Part of the procedure in transferring cases to SpoorData will involve a review of all existing Standing Instructions and our obtaining confirmation that these are still relevant.
Patent and design renewals will continue to be administered by Spoor & Fisher Jersey but, as in the past, South African clients are encouraged to direct correspondence to our office in Johannesburg, where we will ensure that it is processed promptly.
SPOOR & FISHER