Brazil: new numbers for patents, industrial design and geographical indications’ applications

The Patent Board (DIRPA) and the Department of Contracts, Records and Geographical Indications (DICIG) reported last week that they are going to adopt a new code for numbering of applications for patents (for inventions and utility models), industrial design and geographical indication. The new numbering code meets suggested international standards.

The new standard will be accompanied by a breakthrough also in the procedures, since the numbering of the applications will be awarded at the presentation of it. This change will allow a more effective use - a more rapid step to the formal examination of patents (inventions and utility models), industrial designs and geographical indications.

Thus, as of January 2, 2012, applications for patents (for inventions and utility models), industrial design and geographical indication shall be numbered, according to the following pattern:

BR ZZ XXXX YYYYYY K

BR (Brazil) = Country code

ZZ = nature of protection

XXXX = year of entry into the INPI

YYYYYY = numbering corresponds to the order of application filed

K = numbering of the request - checked digit

The digits corresponding to the nature of protection will refer to: invention or utility patent; industrial design ; and geographical indication.

INPI observed that applications and patents filed up to December 31, 2011 will not be renumbered.

Source INPI.