When it is needed
In disagreements about visual similarity, preparation of dispute materials or checking the reasoning of an earlier examination.
What we examine
- Registered signs
- Images of packaging and actual use
- Word and figurative elements
Materials to prepare
- Certificates and information about the protected sign
- High-quality images of the variants compared
- List of goods and services considered
- Materials showing actual use and questions
Sample questions
- Which elements form the signs compared?
- Which graphic, phonetic or semantic features are available for analysis?
- Which similarities and differences characterise the signs as a whole?
- Which elements did the examination author select, and is that selection justified?
- Are the materials sufficient to answer the comparative questions posed?
How the work is carried out
- We identify the signs compared and the brief's context
- We analyse relevant features and overall perception
- We prepare a comparison with illustrations and supporting arguments
Result
A report on the comparative characteristics of the signs and the examination boundaries.
What affects the conclusions
Decisions on registration, legal protection and infringement are made by authorised bodies. A consumer survey, where needed, is arranged as a separate sociological brief.
Frequently asked questions
Does any common element mean similarity?
Its significance is assessed within the sign and in relation to the task; mechanically counting correspondences is insufficient.
Do you conduct the state examination of an application?
No. An independent examination and the state application review procedure have different status.