Source: https://www.epa.ee/en/general-info/frequently-asked-questions
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 16:41:28+00:00

Document:
I would like to PATENT a trade mark. What should I do?
It is possible to register a trade mark, whereas it is possible to patent an invention. In order to obtain legal protection an application for registration of a trade mark has to be filed with the Reception of the Estonian Patent Office.
See: How to protect your trade mark?
What are the classes, what are they for and where can I find them?
Upon registration of a trademark all goods and services are divided into different classes. The applicant must specify to which class belong the goods or services for which the trademark is used to designate. Goods and services are classified according to the international classification (Nice Classification). The use of TMclass, a classification tool which helps you to find a correct class for your goods and services, is recommended.
Should the basic numbers be indicated in the list of goods and services?
Class numbers (1-45) and the specific goods and/or services should be indicated in the list of goods and/or services. There is no need to indicate the six-figured basic number with the indication of good or service.
What is the difference between a patent (a utility model) and a trade mark?
An invention can be protected by a patent or as a utility model. Invention is a technical solution, the subject of which may be a device, a process or a material. A trade mark is a sign which can be used to distinguish the goods or services of one person from identical or similar kind of goods or services of the other persons.
See: What is a trademark?
Can I use a trade mark, although I have not registered it?
Yes, you can. The trade mark doesn’t have to be registered. Registration of a trade mark is a right of the trade mark owner, not an obligation. It provides a right to prohibit others from using in the course of trade a sign which is identical with or similar to this trade mark for designating identical or similar kind of goods or services. While using an unregistered trade mark its owner should take into consideration that the use of a trade mark would not infringe the rights of others.
See: Why should a trade mark be protected?
If an application for registration of a trade mark is filed with the Estonian Patent Office, will this trade mark be valid only in Estonia?
Yes, it will. Trade mark protection is territorial. Protection is valid in the country or a union of countries, where the mark is registered. If an application for registration of a trade mark is filed with the Estonian Patent Office, in case of registration, the trade mark will be valid in Estonia.
What should I check before filing an application for registration of a trade mark or before starting to use the trade mark?
Before filing an application you should have a look at information on our web site. You can find there information about the main requirements for a trade mark and about obstacles, which can prevent the registration of a trade mark. In order to make sure that the earlier right to the trade mark that you are applying for does not belong to anybody else, please consult the trade marks databases on our website and the database of the business names in the Business Register.
In short, there are three possibilities: a) to file an application for registration of a trademark in a particular foreign country; b) to apply for international registration of a trademark under the Madrid Protocol; c) to protect the trade mark as a European Union trade mark, whereas legal protection is obtained on the whole territory of the EU in case of registration.
See: How to protect your trade mark via the other national offices, via the European Union trade mark system, via the Madrid system of international registration?
Which way of registration of a trade mark abroad is the cheapest?
This question should be evaluated on the basis of particular trade mark and the needs of the applicant. The price depends on the countries, where the protection is needed, on the number of those countries and on the number of classes of goods and services.
Who are the patent attorneys?
A patent attorney is a person who can be authorised by an applicant to carry out all the necessary procedures in the patent or trademark offices.
Convention priority means the preferential right of the person who files the first application to apply for legal protection to a trade mark (e.g. the first application may be filed in another country). Exhibition priority means the preferential right of the person who publicly displays goods or services designated by a trade mark at an international or officially recognised international exhibition within the meaning of the Convention on International Exhibitions. The date of filing of the first application or the date of the exhibition is the date of priority.
Country code or code of the state is a two-letter code (e.g. EE) or a three-letter code (e.g. EST) by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). We use the two-letter country code.
How much does filing an application for registration of a trade mark in Estonia cost?
The fee for filing of an application for registration of a trade mark in Estonia in one class is 145 euros, i.e. if all goods or services covered by the trade mark fall into one class (according to the Nice Classification). In case everything does not fall into one class and there is a need to add the other classes into the application, a fee of 45 euros for each additional class should be paid. So it’s 145 euros + 45 euros for each added class. The fee should be paid within 2 months from the filing date of the application for registration of a trade mark.
Shall the Patent Office refund the fee for filing an application, if the trade mark is not registered?
The state fee shall not be refunded. Therefore it is recommended that the applicant would learn about the obstacles that may occur at registration before filing an application.
If there are two applicants, shall it be a collective mark?
It does not have to be a collective mark. A collective mark is a trade mark registered in the name of a business association (a union, a community), whose statutes prescribes the conditions and the right to use the trade mark.
I would like to file an application for registration of a trade mark in the area of sale services, but I cannot find them in the classification.
I would like to file an application for registration of a trade mark for the sale services, but I cannot find them in the classification.
Sale services belong to class 35 under wording retail and wholesale services for third parties (jae- ja hulgimüügiteenused kolmandatele isikutele) with addition of the list of goods that you sell..
What do the symbols ©, ® and TM stand for?
TM - unregistered trade mark.
The status of some trade marks in the trade marks database on the web site of the Patent Office is "Processing terminated". What does it mean?
It means that the trade mark is not valid. The applicant has either withdrawn the application or has not performed the procedures required by the Patent Office. Therefore the Patent Office has terminated the processing of this trade mark.
I got a good idea for better organization of an entertainment event. Can I register it as a trade mark?
Ideas cannot be protected as trade marks. A trade mark is a sign that can consist of words or of a figurative element, words in combination with a figurative element, a three-dimensional sign, a sound, a pattern, a movement etc.
See: What is a trade mark?
I have used my trade mark for several years already, but it is not registered. Now I discovered in the trade marks database that my competitor has filed an application for registration of my trade mark. What should I do?
If you find that someone has in bad faith filed an application for registration of your trade mark in their own name, it may be in contradiction to the Trade Mark Act (§ 9 (1) 10). In that case, you may turn to the Patent Office and submit documents verifying that the trade mark actually belongs to you and the competitor has acted in bad faith. It can be done if the competitor’s trade mark application is still pending or within two months after publication of the notice about the decision to register the trade mark in the Estonian Trademark Gazette. If the trade mark is already registered, a request can be filed with the Board of Appeal for the exclusive right of the proprietor of the trade mark to be declared null and void.
I am a proprietor of a registered trade mark. Recently I have started to receive phone calls from angry customers, who were not satisfied with my goods. At a closer look it became evident that someone is using my trade mark in bad faith. Should I turn to the Patent Office to find a solution to this situation?
The Patent Office does not supervise the rightful use of the trade marks. If you have a registered trade mark and you discover that someone is infringing your rights in any way, you are entitled to turn to the court.
How much time does the examination of a trade mark take?
Examination of trade mark applications is carried out in order of their arrival to the Patent Office. Therefore the duration of examination depends on the amount of applications and the length of the examination queue resulting from that.
What should I do to protect my domain name?
The Patent Office deals with legal protection of industrial property, whereas the Estonian Internet Foundation handles the registration of domain names.
Is there a worldwide database from where I can find out whether a trade mark has been registered? If it does not exist, where could I find reliable information by countries?
A worldwide database of trade marks does not exist. If you are interested in trade marks of several countries or a particular region, the search should be restricted accordingly and should be carried out in the database containing the data concerning the particular region.
Can I prove in the court that the particular trade mark belongs to me by presenting the data printed out from the trade marks database?
No, you cannot. The database is informative and does not have legal effect. Please turn to the Reception of the Patent Office to get written certified information, certified copies or printouts from the register of trade marks.
How does the process of transfer of a registered trade mark take place and which documents are required for that?
Amendments in the register are made upon application filed by the proprietor of the trade mark or by the patent attorney representing the proprietor. The applicant has to sign the application either by hand or digitally. If the proprietor of the trade mark is a company, the position of the person representing it has to be added to the application which means that the right to do transactions on behalf of the company must be indicated to the Patent Office. The application can be filed through e-services portal, attached to the e-mail vastuvoett [at] epa.ee, digitally signed, or on paper.
The fee for the transfer of the trade mark shall be paid on the basis of a unique reference number. The Patent Office shall send the unique reference number to the applicant's e-mail address after the application for the operation has been submitted. There is no state fee to be paid in order to change the name or the address of proprietor of the trade mark. After making amendments in the register, the Patent Office issues a written notification on the matter to the applicant.
How can I renew the term of legal protection of my trade mark? What will happen, if I have forgotten to do it?
Can a law firm file an applications for registration of a trade mark and requests for making amendments in the application or registration with the Patent Office on the basis of a relevant letter of authorisation? Does it matter whether the applicant is an Estonian enterprise or a foreign enterprise?
Acts related to trade marks shall be performed at the Patent Office by interested persons or by authorised patent attorneys who have been awarded patent attorney qualifications for operation in the area of trade marks pursuant to Patent Attorneys Act. A person with no residence, seat or commercial or industrial enterprise operating in Estonia shall authorise a patent attorney as the person’s representative to perform procedures related to trade marks at the Patent Office and at the Board of Appeal, except for filing an application.
We changed the logo of our company. What should be done to enter the amendments to the register and how long will it take?
Pursuant to subsection 50² (2) of the Trade Marks Act it is not possible to alter a trade mark, i.e. a logo, in the register. In case you are using a new trade mark you would like to protect, you have a possibility to file a new application for registration of a trade mark with the Patent Office.
How can a trade mark be transferred from one enterprise to another?
Where rights to a trade mark are transferred from one enterprise to another, it is called a transfer registry entry. Amendments in the register are made upon application filed by the proprietor of the trade mark or by the patent attorney representing the proprietor. The applicant has to sign the application either by hand or digitally. If the proprietor of the trade mark is a company, the position of the person representing it has to be added to the application which means that the right to do transactions on behalf of the company must be indicated to the Patent Office. The application can be filed through e-services portal, attached to the e-mail vastuvoett [at] epa.ee, digitally signed, or on paper.
The fee for the transfer of the trade mark shall be paid on the basis of a unique reference number. The Patent Office shall send the unique reference number to the applicant's e-mail address after the application for the operation has been submitted. After making amendments in the register, the Patent Office issues a written notification on the matter to the applicant.
Is there a special form for registration of transfer of a trademark from one enterprise to another?
There is not a special form for it.
In case a due date for payment of a fee falls on a weekend or a public holiday, when should the payment be made?
In case a due date falls on a public holiday or any other rest day, the due date is deemed to be the first working day following the rest day.
If I am an e-resident and I own an enterprise in Estonia, should I authorise a patent attorney as my representative?
Pursuant to § 13 Subsection 1 of the Trade Marks Act procedures at the Patent Office are performed by interested persons or by authorised patent attorneys. Pursuant to Subsection 2 a person with no residence, seat or commercial or industrial enterprise operating in Estonia should authorise a patent attorney as the person’s representative to perform procedures at the Patent Office. So, if you own a business in Estonia, you do not have to authorise a representative.
If I am an e-resident, should I authorise a patent attorney as my representative?
Yes, you should, because e-residence enables a person with no residence in Estonia to use the same Estonian e-services that are available to Estonian citizens who own ID-cards. Pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section 13 of the Trade Marks Act a person with no residence or seat in Estonia should authorise a patent attorney as the person’s representative.
I would like to register a trade mark, which includes several words and a figurative element. Could it provide me a right to prohibit the competitors to use the words contained in the trade mark?
Registered trade mark is protected as a whole. The owner of the trade mark has the right to prohibit the use of confusingly similar trade marks. However, the owner of the trade mark does not have the right to prohibit the use of the descriptive words (including the descriptions of type of good or service, quality, geographical origin or other features) contained in the trade mark. For example, in case a combination of words John’s lemonade is protected as a trade mark for soft drinks, the owner does not have the right to prohibit the others to use the word lemonade, as the word indicates the type of the goods, which can be freely used by everyone. It can happen that all the words on the trade mark are descriptive or non-distinctive. In that case the trade mark can be registered only if there is a figurative element which makes the mark distinctive. This registration provides an exclusive right to the trade mark as a whole, together with particular design, but not to the descriptive text contained in the mark.
I don’t live in Estonia nor am I a resident of Estonia. Can I pay renewal fees for trade marks directly with your office, i.e. without using the services of a Patent or Trade Mark Attorney who is registered in Estonia?
Where can I find patents and trade marks granted from 1919 to 1940?
Patent specifications and registered trade marks published from 1919 to 1940 can be seen in the reading room of Estonian National Archive in Tallinn, Madara 24.
I am trying to file an application. The form at https://teenused.epa.ee/ is only in Estonian. Is it possible to do it in English?
Our e-filing system is in Estonian only, because the application has to be filed in Estonian. If you need help with filing, you can choose a patent attorney, who will file the application for you.
Should a working model be submitted at applying for protection of an invention?
A model or a sample should not be submitted. The description of the invention, the claims of the utility model and if required, the drawing (it need not be a technical drawing, depending on the subject matter of the application it may also be a general scheme etc.) should be submitted.
I brought an application for registration of a utility model to your Office and I would like to view my application in the register of utility models on the website of the Estonian Patent Office, but it is not available there now.
Actually it cannot be available there, because pursuant to § 32 Section 8 of the Utility Model Act the description of the utility model shall be published in the official gazette of the Patent Office only after making a registration entry and pursuant to Section 9 a registration shall enter into force on the publication date of a notice of the registration of the utility model in the official gazette of the Patent Office and thereafter your application can be viewed in the register of utility models on the website of the Estonian Patent Office. In case an application for registration of a utility model is not entered in the register for some reason, it will not be available in the register of utility models on the website of the Estonian Patent Office.
How can I learn whether my invention is novel or a similar invention has been protected already?
A search should be made and the invention should be compared to the existing solutions. Searches can be made and descriptions of patents and utility models can be read in the databases of patents. One source of information is database Espacenet, which offers free access to more than 90 million patent descriptions. If you do not have enough time or skills, it is possible to order a search from the Patent Office.
What is a patent claims?
A patent claims defines the subject matter of the invention in a clear, concise and short manner, whereas the subject matter of an invention shall be presented as a set of essential features of the invention. Actually the claims is the most important part of the patent application, as the content and the scope of patent protection are determined by the wording of patent claims. Patent claims consist of one or several claims. If the patent claims consists of several claims, all essential features with general terms are presented in the first (independent claim) and special cases are brought out in the following (dependent) claim(s).
When should the state fee be paid in case of filing an application for registration of a patent and a utility model?
The state fee shall be considered paid if the data concerning the payment of the state fee are submitted to the Estonian Patent Office. The data or a document certifying the payment of the state fee should be submitted on paper carrier. A payment order or a document containing the required details compiled particularly for the Estonian Patent Office can be considered the document.
The document certifying the payment of the state fee can be brought or sent to the Patent Office. A document certifying the payment of the state fee as well as all other documents contained in the application can be put into the mailbox of applications for registration of the subjects of legal protection of industrial property in the Estonian Patent Office 24 hours a day. The documents taken from the mailbox will be sealed on the date of filing.
Note! In order to pay the state fees in due time it should be taken into account that the state fee shall be considered paid on the date the document certifying the payment of the state fee is filed with the Estonian Patent Office, not on the date of payment in the bank or any other date. The document is stamped on the date of arrival at the Estonian Patent Office.
At the moment it is prohibited to file the document certifying the payment of the state fee by fax or any other electronic means. It can be brought or sent to the Office in paper.
How can your invention be protected abroad ?
In order to protect your invention abroad please see more at How to protect your invention abroad?
How long does it take for a patent application to be processed? Is protection valid for my invention during examination also?
The average duration of the examination of a patent application is 3.5 years. But the invention enjoys temporary protection starting from the filing date of the patent application until the publication date of the note of the grant of the patent.
If a patent is granted to me in Estonia, will it be valid also in the whole world?
Legal protection of inventions is of territorial character, i.e. a patent granted in Estonia is valid only in Estonia.
Can the product be produced and sold in Europe, in case the invention is protected in the USA?
Patent protection is territorial, i.e. the patent is valid only in the country where protection has been applied for and granted. To maintain a patent, a state fee should be paid for each year of validity. Therefore, in case the product is protected in America, not in Europe, the product can be produced and sold in Europe. But in America it is prohibited without the permission of the proprietor of the patent during the validity of the patent.
Registration of a utility model is cheaper and faster than that of a patent. Registration system at applying for a utility model is applied. Therefore the duration of examination is significantly shorter, but the applicant him/herself is responsible for the novelty, the inventive step and susceptibility to industrial application. In case of patent applications the Estonian Patent Office checks the compliance of the invention with the criteria of patentability mentioned earlier during examination.
The same inventions, excluding inventions belonging to the field of biotechnology, can be protected as a utility model as by a patent. Besides that, protection as a utility model cannot be applied for a combination of inventions so linked as to form a single general inventive concept, i.e. both a method and a device cannot be applied for protection by the same registration application.
In both cases the invention has to be new worldwide in order to apply for protection, but in case of a utility model lower criteria are applicable to the inventive step.
The utility model is valid for 4 years from the filing date, only the fee for filing an application for registration of a utility model should be paid. The term of validity of utility model protection can be renewed first for 4 years and after that for another two years and in both cases a renewal fee must be paid. Therefore the term of validity of a utility model lasts for the maximum term of 10 years. The term of validity of patent protection lasts for the maximum term of 20 years, but a fee for the patent application and later a renewal fee must be paid for each year of validity.
A patent application is published 18 months after filing. Description of a utility model is published after registration of a utility model.
Can a computer programme or a mobile app be patented?
There isn’t a simple answer "yes" or "no". However, algorithms for computers and computer programs shall not be regarded as the subject of inventions pursuant to both the Patent Act and the Utility Model Act. At the same time we know that a technical solution which solves a so far unsolved technical problem, can be protected. Solution of the technical problem has a technical effect. The word ”technical” should be highlighted.
Proceeding from the European patent practice algorithms for computers and computer programs, which are merely source codes or algorithms ("software patents") are not patentable. But computer-implemented inventions are patentable, if they are new, have technical character and involve an inventive technical contribution to the prior art. In this respect, it is important to note that computer implemented business methods do not make such technical contribution and these are simply automation of economic or mental activities, which is self-evident to the person skilled in the particular area (an engineer, a developer, a technician, etc.).
For example, on the basis of the European patent practice any systems, methods, equipment or means of purchase, sales or auctioning arrangement, if it does not offer a solution to a particular so far unsolved technical problem, cannot be granted a patent. Probably auctioning rules, known administrative or payment instruments etc. cannot be regarded as a technical problem.
By the way, temporal reference transmitted in the internet-based auction system is a technical problem due to the physical parameters of the communication channels, features and network structure. Different temporal reference in information transmission between the user equipment in different geographical locations and the auction server makes the situation of the users of the auction system unequal, as it does not enable all users worldwide to make bids simultaneously. It should be highlighted that the technical solution to this problem could not be adding an additional equalizing reference with regard to user equipment with shorter reference time of the transmission channel, as this approach would rather be circumvention of the technical character and solution of the problem than solving a real, prescribed end-use problem, i.e. the temporal reference of the communication channel.
Therefore the answer to the question "Can a computer programme or a mobile app be patented?" can be "Yes, it can" only in case the invention is new, involves an inventive step and is susceptible to industrial application.
Is it possible to protect a recipe by patent?
If the recipe has been thought out yourself, its composition (a mixture of different ingredients) can be protected only on condition that it is novel worldwide. The fact that it has been unknown in Estonia is not a good reason for applying for protection in Estonia. Protection is territorial. If anything is known in any other country and protected there, but has not been protected in Estonia, anyone can produce or sell it in Estonia.
Can I get an exclusive right to produce in Estonia a particular product widespread in the world, which is not represented on the market in Estonia?
No, you can’t. A novel invention can be protected by a patent or a utility model all over the world. Protection is territorial, i.e. if any product is not protected e.g. in Estonia, it can be produced and sold by anyone in Estonia.
You can protect your trade mark.
How much does it cost to protect your invention?
At filing either a patent application or an application for registration of a utility model with the Estonian Patent Office the prescribed state fees should be paid within 2 months.
For filing of a patent application, where the applicant is a legal person the state fee is €225 and where the applicant is a natural person it is €56.
For filing of an application for registration of a utility model, where the applicant is a legal person the fee is €105 and where the applicant is a natural person it is €26.
In case of a utility model legal protection will be valid for four years by payment of the above given filing fee. If required, legal protection can be extended for four years and thereafter for another two years by payment of the fee for the extension of validity of a registration.
In order to maintain a patent application and later a patent, a state fee has to be paid for each year of validity. Payment for the first three years can be made in the third year. When a decision on the grant of the patent has been made, a fee for registration of an invention in the patent register should be paid.
For further information concerning the amounts of the state fees for a patent see Patent fees.
When I am applying for a patent or a utility model, will my invention be disclosed for the others?
Yes, it will. A patent application will be published 18 months after the filing date or, if priority is claimed, the date of priority of the patent application. Until publication the content of the patent application shall not be disclosed by the Patent Office. After publication the patent application and the granting procedure will be public. Publication of the patent application is announced in the official gazette of the Patent Office.
the patent application is classified.
The description of the utility model and the search report of the state of art will be public after making a registration entry on the basis of the registration decision of the utility model. If an applicant does not want to make his/her invention public so fast, he/she may apply for postponement of entering the utility model in the register, but not more than 18 months from the priority date.
Can the proprietor of a utility model sell the use of the licence?
The owner of a utility model (licensor) may, pursuant to a written licence agreement, grant the use of the rights of the owner of the utility model to another person or persons (licensee). Licence terms are determined by the licence agreement. The term of a license shall not be longer than the term of the utility model registration.
Licences may be registered in the register of utility models, but it is not mandatory. In order to make an entry concerning a licence a written request of the licensor or the licensee together with a copy of the licence agreement or an extract from the licence agreement which contains information necessary for the registration should be submitted to the Patent Office. A state fee of €31.95 shall be paid for an entry concerning a licence.
Upon transfer of a utility model to another person, the rights and obligations deriving from the licence are also transferred to the said person.
A public non-exclusive licence (licence of right) can be granted by the owner of a utility model. In that case an application for the registration of a public non-exclusive licence shall be submitted to the Patent Office and the state fee of €32 shall be paid. The Patent Office shall publish a respective notice in the Estonian Utility Model Gazette.
Everyone who has paid the paid the licence fee prescribed by the owner of a utility model has the right to a public non-exclusive licence. A public non-exclusive licence can be granted on condition there is no valid licence registered earlier concerning the particular utility model.
In patent search process we discovered a patent, the status of which was invalid. What does it mean and how to make the patent active again?
In order to maintain a patent application and patent, a state fee shall be paid for each year of validity. A patent becomes invalid, if a state fee is not paid for the year of validity.
The validity of the patent can be resumed, if failure to pay the state fee occurred due to force majeure and the proprietor of the patent files a request for the resumption of the validity of the patent, proves the existence of force majeure within two months after the impediment ceases to exist, and pays the state fee for the year of validity and for the resumption of the validity of the patent. The aforesaid request can be filed within one year from the due date (Patents Act § 42 Section 11).
A patent becomes prematurely invalid if a legal person which is the proprietor of a patent is liquidated, or its activities are terminated and the patent rights have not been transferred, or the proprietor of the patent files a request for termination of the validity of the patent.
I don’t live in Estonia nor am I a resident of Estonia. Can I pay renewal fees for patents directly with your office, i.e. without using the services of a Patent or Trade Mark Attorney who is registered in Estonia?
The patent renewal fees (annual fees) and utility model renewal fees can be paid directly by the foreign patent owner or patent attorney. Please find the information concerning the fees (including patent renewal fees, utility model fees) and payment on our website under the section Fees, where you can find the account numbers for the payment. You can pay only by bank transfer. While paying please do not forget the reference number of the Estonian Patent Office 2900082362. You can also find useful information under the section Payment of the fee by a person not residing or operating in Estonia. Please be aware that the state fee is deemed to be paid upon the receipt of required documents (payment order and cover letter) by the Estonian Patent Office. Please send a copy of your payment document to e-mail vastuvoett [at] epa.ee or by post. If the documents certifying payment of the state fee have not been submitted on time the validity expires.
Should I register my design only in Estonia or internationally?
It depends on the scope of activities and business strategy of the entrepreneur. If your goods are directed only to the Estonian consumers, legal protection in Estonia may be sufficient. If you sell or have an intention to sell your goods also abroad, it is advisable to choose a way of registration which offers protection in the countries where you are doing business. For risk diversification the design could be first registered in Estonia and later the protection could be extended to foreign countries, if needed.
Can a computer programme be protected as a design?
A computer programme cannot be protected as a design.
See more: What is an industrial design?
What is the difference between Estonian and European protection of an industrial design?
Protection is territorial, i.e. an industrial design protected in the Estonian Patent Office is valid only in Estonia, but an industrial design registered in the European office EUIPO is valid all over the EU. Both offices use a registration system, i.e. it is not checked whether an industrial design filed for registration is novel and has distinctive character (an applicant is responsible for the compliance of these requirements). If the application is in compliance with the formal requirements and it is not contrary to the public policy, it will be registered.
Is there a prescribed form for filing an application for registration?
Yes, forms for filing an application both electronically and on paper or links to them are available on our website.
Can an application for registration of a Community design be filed also with the Estonian Patent Office?
Community designs are registered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The application may be brought to the Estonian Patent Office, but the Office will forward it to the EUIPO without examining it. A state fee of €32 should be paid for forwarding the application. The Estonian Patent Office does not deal with the other documents, so the applicant will have to send them directly to the EUIPO.
How long is the term of protection of a registered Community design?
A registered Community design is valid for 5 years from the filing date of the application. Term of protection can be renewed for one or more periods of five years each, up to a total term of 25 years. A fee should be paid for the renewal.
Is Community design valid also in Estonia?
Yes, a Community design registered in the EUIPO is valid in all member states of the EU, including Estonia.
I don’t live in Estonia nor am I a resident of Estonia. Can I pay renewal fees for designs directly with your office, i.e. without using the services of a Patent or Trade Mark Attorney who is registered in Estonia?
According to Industrial Design Protection Act § 25 (2): A person with no residence, seat or commercial or industrial enterprise operating in the Republic of Estonia shall authorise a patent attorney as the person’s representative to perform procedures related to registration and maintenance of an industrial design at the Patent Office and at the Board of Appeal, except the filing of an application. Thus, it is mandatory to authorize an Estonian patent attorney for the renewal of industrial designs.
Who can legally apply to be patent attorney in Estonia? What are the requirements?
A person whose residence or seat is not located in the Republic of Estonia shall authorise a patent attorney registered in the Estonian state register of patent attorneys as a person’s representative for the performance of acts related to patent protection, except filing of a patent application, filing of a request for acceptance of an international application for national processing as specified in the Patents Act § 33 Subsection 1 and payment of all the state fees specified in Patents Act.
According to Estonian Patent Attorneys Act § 2 (2) a person who has acquired the qualification of a patent attorney abroad may also operate as a patent attorney if his or her professional qualification has been recognized in accordance with the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act.
However a person who’s professional qualification has been recognized in accordance with the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act still has to apply for a qualification of patent attorney and perform a professional examination in order to acquire a qualification of a patent attorney. As mentioned before a person has to meet all the requirements stated in Patent Attorneys Act § 14.
Is there is a possibility in Estonia to pay the renewal fees for patents and trademarks directly by the foreign owner?
The patent renewal fees (annual fees) and utility model renewal fees can be paid directly by the foreign patent owner or patent attorney.
Please find the information concerning the fees (including patent renewal fees, utility model fees) and payment on our website under the section Fees, where you can find the account numbers for the payment. You can pay only by bank transfer. You can also find useful information under the section Payment of the fee by a person not residing or operating in Estonia.
Please be aware that the state fee is deemed to be paid upon the receipt of required documents (payment order and cover letter) by the Estonian Patent Office. Please send a copy of your payment document to e-mail vastuvoett [at] epa.ee or by post. If the documents certifying payment of the state fee have not been submitted on time the validity expires.
A person with no residence, seat or commercial or industrial enterprise operating in Estonia shall authorise a patent attorney as the person’s representative to perform procedures related to trade marks at the Estonian Patent Office and at the Board of Appeal, except the filing of an application.
Thus, it is mandatory to authorize an Estonian patent attorney for the renewal of trademarks and industrial designs.

References: § 13
 § 32
 § 42
 § 25
 § 33
 § 2
 § 14