As a business owner, your intellectual property (IP) is an essential asset. Therefore, you must manage it appropriately to get the most out of it. Identifying and protecting your IP is only the first step in the life cycle of your IP. While there is a range of ways you might keep track of your IP, trade mark docketing is one such way to do this. This article will explore trade mark docketing and what to look out for when purchasing docketing software.
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Trade Mark Docketing
Trade mark docketing involves keeping track of communications, deadlines and notices relating to your trade marks. While previously done manually using a diary or calendar, trade mark docketing is now usually done with specifically made docketing software.
Trade mark docketing covers a range of important deadlines. For instance, docketing software will usually keep track of:
- your trade mark status;
- upcoming deadlines; and
- renewal dates.
A failure to meet specific deadlines can result in severe consequences, such as losing your trade mark’s registered status. As such, trade mark docketing plays a critical role in trade mark management, particularly for businesses with a sizeable trade mark portfolio.
Importance of Trade Mark Docketing Software
Having trade mark docketing software is becoming more and more essential for businesses. Each trade mark application will bring numerous deadlines and notifications that can take time to keep up with and track in the long term. If your trade mark is ever opposed, this will increase the number of deadlines and notifications you receive, which could become even harder to keep track of.
Tracking deadlines becomes even more convoluted when you consider that trade marks are renewed every ten years.
Continue reading this article below the formDocketing or Data Entry?
While it might seem similar to data entry, docketing requires more time and understanding than data entry. Data entry refers to entering data from various sources into a computer system. However, docketing requires specific knowledge of IP and attention to detail. For instance, the miscalculation of a date can result in severe consequences. As such, docketing software are specifically designed to have the presence of mind to understand trade mark rules and procedures and requires the docketer to understand these rules and verify the data that is being input.
Trade Mark Docketing Software
While all simple docketing systems will allow you to input deadlines and will notify you of deadlines, some more advanced features can help simplify your trade mark management even further. Of course, the need for more advanced software will depend on your business needs and how large and complex your trade mark portfolio is. Below, we outline some key features to look for in docketing software.
Automation
This feature in docketing software helps reduce any human error. For example, some software may calculate deadlines while others will retrieve trade mark information from IP Australia and understand deadlines based on this information. Automation can also update the status of a trade mark and calculate deadlines without prompting or manual data entry, which can save a lot of time and human resources.
Deadline Reminders
It can also be handy if docketing software has deadline calculation to calculate deadlines based on a trade mark’s status automatically. While some deadlines can be recovered, many cannot, which can result in severe consequences for the status of your trade mark. A sound docketing system will know about IP Australia’s systems and due dates for specific steps.
Document Storage
Docketing software that stores all notices and trade mark documents can also come in helpful. For example, software that keeps a copy of your trade mark application, registration certificates, notification emails, and more will help you remain organised and provides an easy way for sharing information between those in your business.
Communication Features
Finally, docketing software with communication features can help save you a lot of time. For example, communication features might include email or letter templates that simplify the process of processing correspondence. It might also include an easy way to share notices with your colleagues.
Key Takeaways
Trade mark docketing involves keeping track of communications, deadlines and notices relating to your trade marks. While previously done manually using a diary or other filing system, trade mark docketing is now usually done with specifically made docketing software. Some key features to look out for when purchasing trade mark docketing software include:
- automation;
- deadline reminders;
- document storage; and
- communication features.
If you need assistance managing your trade marks, our experienced trade mark lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trade mark docketing is the process of keeping track of communications, deadlines and notices relating to your trade marks. Failure to meet specific deadlines can result in consequences, such as losing your trade mark’s registered status or financial losses. As such, trade mark docketing plays a critical role in trade mark management.
Although IP Australia seeks to notify you of any such deadlines, it is still essential to do your own tracking. Each trade mark application will bring numerous deadlines and notifications, which can take time to keep up with and track in the long term. Further, if your trade mark is ever opposed, this will increase the number of deadlines and notifications you receive, which could become even harder to keep track of.
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