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Patent information Patent databases and registers Explanation and overview (inter)national patent registers
Patent information Patent databases and registers Explanation and overview (inter)national patent registers
Explanation and overview (inter)national patent registers
Every authority that grants patents keeps a register that contains the status of granted patents. The trademark registers allow you to check the status of a trademark name.Various databases are available for searching for patents. But what happens if you have found a patent and you want to know the rights of the patent holder? Searching in the register will allow you to answer the following questions:
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Has this patent been granted?
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Is this patent still valid?
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When am I free to use this technology?
Patents
| Dutch patent register | The status of Dutch patents and European patents valid for the Netherlands | further info |
| European patent register | The status of European patents and applications | further info |
Trademarks and designs
| Benelux trademark database | Database of the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) | further info |
| European trademark database | Database of the Office for Harmonisation for the International Market (OHIM) | further info |
| European design database | Database of the Office for Harmonisation for the International Market (OHIM) | further info |
Dutch patent register
The Dutch patent egister should be used in order to investigate whether a patent is still valid in the Netherlands. This database contains information about published patent applications, patent rights and certificates in the Netherlands since 1912.
Once you have registered, you may use this register free of charge. You must enter the patent number you are looking for in the basic search screen. In the patent information that then appears, it will be stated next to 'Status' whether the patent is still 'van kracht' (valid) or has been 'vervallen' (expired). If it is still valid, there is a chance that you are infringing on this patent.
The European register
You should use the European Register via Epoline to obtain information about the status of European patent applications and PCT patent applications. In the register you pose search queries with different criteria and you will obtain information about the status of European patent applications and granted patents.
Other registers
If you would like to know whether a patent is still valid in another country, please refer to the patent register of that country or telephone the national patent office of that country. You can find links to the websites of national patent offices in other countries on our website.
Benelux trademark database
The trademark database of the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) allows you to search for filed and registered trademarks that are valid in the Benelux countries.The trademark database allows you to find all filed and registered trademarks that are valid in the Benelux. This therefore does not just include Benelux trademarks, but also Community trademarks (European trademarks) and international trademarks in which the Benelux countries have been designated.
Searching
Trademarks that are registered at the BOIP appear in the Benelux trademark register. It is easy to search for them by number, classification code or trademark name.
European trademark database
It is also possible to register trademarks via the European Union. A trademark is a sign that is used to distinguish the goods of a particular company.
The EU authority that is responsible for implementing the Community Trademark Act and the Community Designs Act is established in Alicante under the name Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM).
Searching
Community Trademarks that are registered at the OHIM appear in the European trademark register. It is easy to search for them by number, classification code or trademark name.
European design database
It is also possible to register designs or drawings via the European Union, in relation to the external design of a product.
The EU authority that is responsible for implementing the Community Patent Act and the Community Designs Act is established in Alicante under the name Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM).
Searching
Community Designs that are registered at the OHIM appear in the European design register. It is easy to search for them by owner, classification code, number or filing date.
