The Law on 3D Models and Electronic Protection Documents Entered Into Force
The Federal Law on Amendments to Part Four of the Russian Civil Code (on the Use of Electronic Technologies in the Registration of Intellectual Property Rights) was signed by Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin on 20 July 2020 and entered into force on 17 January 2021.
The applicants can now attach three-dimensional models to their applications for inventions, utility models, industrial designs, and trademarks. The law also allows the applicants to obtain the protection documents in electronic form, except patents for secret inventions. The paper documents are still available if the applicants request so.
Rospatent initiated these amendments of the Russian Civil Code within the framework of the national program entitle Digital Economy of the Russian Federation. They aim at improving business conditions, reducing the time needed to examine high-tech inventions, and improving the quality of examination.
The Federal Law also aims at increasing the use of electronic technologies in intellectual property rights registration. The new possibilities simplify the application procedure for inventors who use digital systems related to design and object modeling.
The Law will reduce the time required to examine the claimed intellectual property rights and will improve the quality of the examination. The use of 3D models will allow optimizing examination by visually presenting the claimed technical solution. At the same time, the rights of inventors will be well protected. Publication and provision of the applications materials to third parties is carried out in a format that impedes illegal reproduction of three-dimensional objects”, explained Head of Rospatent Mr. Grigory Ivliev.
Background information:
The Federal Law amends Articles 1375, 1376, 1377, and 1492 of the Civil Code in respect of giving applicants the opportunity to attach three-dimensional models to their applications.
Format characteristics and requirements for 3D models to be filed in electronic form will be established by the orders of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development that regulate the provision of state services by Rospatent.
The Law and related documents are available in Russian here.
