Before anyone begins the process of virtually marking a patent, it’s important to know what information to include on the associated webpage. Getting this incorrect can lead to misunderstandings and other complications. Not to worry though, TerrifioTM is here with this article to outline the requirements for marking a patent online!
What to Include in Your Virtual Patent Marking
There are a few different things that need to be included in the virtual patent marking of any product in order to ensure that IP rights in the patent protected. Below is an overview of what should be added for anyone that has a UK patent or US patent:
- A statement informing the public of the basis of the virtual patent marking notice.
- Patent numbers for each of the relevant products must be clearly shown on the webpage.
- Product names and/or numbers should also be displayed so that they are associated with each corresponding patent, so that anyone viewing the webpage can easily differentiate between multiple items. This applies even if the same patent covers more than one product.
- A link to the webpage on the product itself, alongside the word ‘Patent’ or the abbreviation ‘Pat.’.
Of course, all the information above must be provided for free, without the need to sign up or input personal information. There are also a couple of other things that should be included. The first is an overview of virtual patent marking itself, including what it is and the purpose of using it.
What to Avoid with Your Patent Marking
Most important of all, false information should not feature anywhere on the webpage associated with the virtual patent marking, which is why updating information on a regular basis is so important.
Another thing that shouldn’t appear anywhere on the webpage is unnecessary information. People visiting the link will likely be looking for key details, so making them easy to find is beneficial for both parties. If users can’t skim and scan the webpage to find the required information, there might be too much added.
How to Check Your Virtual Patent Marking
The first step is ensuring that all the relevant information is displayed on the page, which can be double-checked in different ways. Using a spreadsheet of all products and ensuring that relevant codes and associated patents are clearly displayed could be the best solution. Sharing the link between friends and family could also be another great way of proofreading the content.
Alternatively, getting in touch with an expert can help to ensure that your virtual patent marking page is up to scratch. TerrifioTM can help you to get your webpage up and running, with comprehensive software for listing and monitoring patents in just a few clicks.
Our software, MarkrTM, can help to ensure that all the required information is displayed, while also being visually appealing and easy to read. Get in touch with our friendly team today for more information or to book a free trial.
That draws our post on the requirements for marking a patent online to a close. It’s worth mentioning that currently, only the UK and USA provide for virtual patent marking; however, it’s likely that regulations in other countries may be introduced, if not exactly the same. Should these requirements change, we will aim to keep you in the loop!
This post should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your patent professional on any specific questions you may have.