The number of applications for patents, industrial designs and utility models filed before the above mentioned entity, registered an increase from 1.214 applications in 1994 to a total of 1.615 applications in 1996. Sixty percent of those applications were filed by foreign applicants, and forty percent by national inventors.
During the year 1996, the pharmaceutical industry filed 494 patent applications followed by the chemical industry with 348 applications. The third place was occupied by the metallurgic industry and the fourth place was occupied by the electronic industry with 48 applications.
Regarding utility models and industrial designs, the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce reported the presentation of 247 applications of industrial designs and 79 applications for utility models. All of the mentioned applications were filed by national inventors. The increase in the trademarks applications during the same period was between 25 and 30% in new applications.
Finally, a 75% discount was established by the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce regarding the official fees for patent applications filed by individuals, which means that an independent inventor would pay US$ 103.75 for each patent application, while a company would pay US$ 415 for each application during the year 1997.
Prepared by Danilo Romero from Gomez Pinzon y Asociados.
These notes are intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
GOMEZ PINZON & ASOCIADOS Carrera 9 No. 73-24 Pisos 1,2,3 y 5 Santafe de Bogota, Colombia Telephone : 571- 3107055/ 5066 Facsimile : 571- 3106646/6657 http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/GOMEZP_LAW
