The amended Ordinance on electronic legal transactions with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office [Verordnung über den elektronischen Rechtsverkehr beim Deutschen Patent- und Markenamt, ERVDPMAV] introduces the option to electronically submit all documents regarding protective rights which require a signature (§ 1(1) ERVDPMAV). In relation to trademark procedure, the amendment to the ERVDPMAV makes it possible for an application for international registration, in accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of marks, to be submitted electronically without a signature (§ 2(1)(1b) ERVDPMAV). In both cases, there is an obligation to use specific submission channels.

Ordinance amending the German Patent and Trade Mark Office [DPMA] Ordinance and the Ordinance on electronic legal transactions with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office

The new § 1(1) of the Ordinance on electronic legal transactions with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (ERVDPMAV) introduces the option to electronically submit all documents regarding protective rights which require a signature. This will take place via the electronic registration platform DPMAdirektPro. The new § 2(1)(1b) ERVDPMAV makes it possible for an application for international registration, in accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of marks, to be submitted electronically without a signature as part of the trademark procedure. Signature-free submission will take place via the registration platform DPMAdirektWeb. The obligation to use these submission channels arises from § 3(1) ERVDPMAV, under which documents are to be submitted exclusively to the electronic receiving office of the German Patent and Trade Marks Office (DPMA), using the access and transmission software provided by the DPMA for this purpose (or alternatively using the European Patent Office's epoline software, as provided for under paragraph 4). § 3(3) ERVDPMAV contains further provisions on submissions requiring a signature. Additional detailed provisions on the processing requirements can be found in § 4 ERVDPMAV.