INFORMATION FROM THE EPO
CDS - the Client Database Systems project
To improve communications with users, and the quality and efficiency of our services generally, the EPO is redesigning some of its patent administration systems. One consequence of this has been the launch of the Client Database Systems (CDS) project.
CDS has two main goals. Firstly, to provide a centrally accessible source of reliable standardised information on procedural and non-procedural clients. Secondly, to streamline the initial capture of procedural data for further processing in the appropriate EPO systems. To achieve these goals, technical solutions alone are not enough; organisational measures too are required.
One such measure is to standardise our client data and improve its accuracy. Over the years, firms have often filed applications under different names and addresses, with even slight discrepancies leading to a new entry in our databases. To avoid duplicates and other data errors in future, detailed instructions for our data-entry staff are being prepared. In this exercise - intended merely to ensure data standardisation - legal entities will be registered under their official designations and the overall address format will be in line with the Universal Postal Union Convention and with national standards.
As a first step, we shall shortly be going through our databases and checking the name and address data of our applicants. We shall then inform them of their standardised CDS entry, and use it in all future decisions, communications and notices unless expressly requested to use something else.
Please note that in case of a change of name by an applicant, or a transfer of rights, the relevant procedural rules remain applicable.
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