March 05, 2019

Visual Search database of TMView extended to Italy, Malta and Sweden

In a bid to take advantage of the full TMview functionality, three already existing members of the tool, Italy, Malta and Sweden, have opted to use the Visual Search facility.

Initially, Italy joined TMview in 2010 together with Sweden and Malta following in 2012, and all of them opted into the visual search tool at the end of 2018. The visual search facility allows TMview users to search the database of over 50 million trademarks for direct images, whereas previously, a database search could be executed through trademark name, application or registration number only. The additional function of searching directly through visual imaging provides searchers with a greater scope of available data, as well as gives them an opportunity for a more refined search. With a great responsibility placed on applicants to conduct accurate pre-registration searches for trademarks, joining the visual search tool of TMview from Italy, Malta and Sweden is set to benefit applicants greatly.

The visual search tool is powered by TrademarkVision and was initially piloted in 2017, with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), the French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Following work undertaken through the European Cooperation at the EUIPO, the visual search tool has since significantly expanded. Nowadays visual search may be conducted in respect of trademarks registered by the national IPOs of 11 countries, including Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the EUIPO.  

To conduct a search through the visual search tool, TMview users merely upload the image they want to search to the TMview website. This tool also allows for the cropping of image files, providing the opportunity to search for specific details of the trademark image.

Author: Danielle Carvey
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