GB2379038A

GB2379038A - An architecture for on-line transactional display

Info

Publication number: GB2379038A
Application number: GB0120215A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Benjamin Franks; Robert Curtis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-18
Filing date: 2001-08-18
Publication date: 2003-02-26
Also published as: GB0120215D0

Abstract

There is disclosed an architecture for an on-line transactional system for receiving instructions relating to the filing of intellectual property rights, for example trade mark rights. The architecture comprises a transactional interface capable of displaying a plurality of geographical zones and receiving instructions on one or a plurality of geographical zones in which intellectual property rights can be filed, and an administration interface, allowing an administrator to modify data describing geographical zones, costs, and parameters relating to intellectual property rights.

Description

IMPROVED ARCHITECTURE FOR ON-LINE TRANSACTIONAL DISPLAY Field of the Invention The present Invention relates to on-line transactional systems, and particularly although not exclusively to an interface and architecture of an on-line transactional system for receiving instructions for filing of intellectual property rights Background to the Invention Typically, an offline prior art trade mark attorney-client relationship involves two stages. Firstly, the attorney and client talk about filing a trademark application, which involves giving advice on territories, filing procedures, costs and goods and services, followed by the actual operation of obtaining a firm instruction to file a trademark application in a defined territory for a defined list of goods and services at a specified cost. In typical offline prior art client-attorney operations, the time cost of talking about filing a trademark application can amount to multiples of two or three times the cost of actually filing a trademark application, i. e. that is, acting on firm instructions containing the basic information required to file a trademark application. In many cases, the amount of effort expended in talking about filing a registered trademark application is prohibitive compared to the revenue received from actually filing a registered trademark application, and in many cases, the step of talking about filing a registered trademark application does not lead to a successful instruction to actually file a registered trademark application.

In successful types of known transaction web site, for example Amazon. com, there is presented a list of displayed goods, each having its own associated fixed price. For example, a book has a fixed price, and there are no other parameters to consider apart from identifying the book itself, and identifying the cost Other details such as delivery address, credit card details and delivery address need to be entered in order to complete the transaction, however the basic number of parameters to be entered are small, and entry of parameters are not inter P740. spec

dependent upon each other, that is to say, the cost of the book does not differ depending upon the other data parameters entered.

In contrast, for filing a registered trademark application, there are more data parameters to be entered and the data parameters are inter dependent upon each other.

It is known to find on the Internet web sites through which a trade mark application can be applied for. Some of these web sites are operated by commercial organisations, that is trade mark attorneys and law firms, whilst others are operated by government offices themselves, for example the Canadian Trade Marks Office. An example of a prior art commercial web site for applying for trade mark rights over the internet is trademarksonline. com. This web site allows filing of a trade mark application in a single country. Details of the mark, specification of goods or services, applicant name and address, and credit card details are input into the web site on-line by a user.

A basic technical problem is how to provide an interface which collects the bare minimum amount of information in order to successfully automatically complete an order, without the process reverting to an off line process. Once a process reverts to a non automated off line process, then the costs associated with dealing with a trademark filing escalate rapidly, and the probability of achieving a successful order reduce, compared to the certainty of an automated online order for filing a registered trademark application.

Whilst the vast majority of trade marks filing web sites are directed at filing a trade mark application in a single country, there are some prior art web sites which offer trade mark filing in a range of countries. These include the alpha version of Worldmarx. com which offers trade mark filing in up to 60 different countries, and tmweb. com which offers trade mark filing in the US, Canada and Europe. However, for web sites which present a plurality of countries in which trade marks

can be filed, there are basic problems of layout of the interface display, to allow multiple filings. Problems include.

Where a user is presented with a selection of different countries, there is limited screen space for a user to make entry of goods and services, where the goods and services may be different for each country.

'Users of the system have a range of modern and/or legacy browsers, and have a range of monitor visual display sizes. Typically, in a worst case a user may have an out of date browser, and a small 15 inch (38 centimeter) diagonal monitor, giving a small visual area in which to display information describing a selection of countries, and allowing little space for entry of data describing goods and services for a which a mark is to be registered.

An operator of an on-line service for filing intellectual property rights has no control of the browsers or visual display devices of the users, and must design a system which works well with a wide variety of browsers and monitor screens.

In general, laws and procedures for filing and prosecution of trade mark applications differ from country to country. Prior art web sites containing information on trademark filing and prosecution procedure in many countries tend to have this information on a separate page display to the data entry pages. The user clicks on a"laws"page display, which means that the user is directed away from a transactional interface page where data has to be input In order to file a trade mark application.

Consequently, the user gets"lost"within the prior art web sites, with the result of reducing the number of on-line transactions carried out. With prior art interface designs, it is too easy for a user to get side tracked and

end up not filling In enough information to enable filing of an intellectual property right, or to end up clicking away into cyberspace.

A filing of a trade mark application is an intrinsically complex process, due to the wide variety of information parameters which need to be collected in order to complete a filing, and due to the vanous permutations of legal protocols and procedures which can be used. For obtaining trade mark protection in more than one country, conventionally a client instructs a trade mark attorney or solicitor by telephone, who then advises on a best course of action, and enters a sometimes lengthy correspondence concerning cost, goods and services, and advice on various options for achieving the same filing objective. Whist it is possible to achieve a trade mark instruction by a single telephone call from a client, it IS still common for a client wishing to register a trade mark to experience delays of days, weeks, months, or in bad cases even years between initial contact with a legal practitioner, and a trade mark application actually being filed at a government office.

Due to the complexities of international trade mark laws, It is possible to obtain protection in some countries via two or three different routes. For example protection in some European countries can be obtained either by a national filing, via a European Community filing or via a Madrid System filing. Each option has a different cost and legal implication Presentation of all options for filing a trade mark in a particular country leads to a large amount of explanation of information to a user, which, if performed on-line leads to the ultimate result of fewer transactions processed through the interface.

There are a relatively high number of different types of information to be collected before a trademark filing transaction can be completed,

including data describing a mark, a specification of goods/services, an applicant name and address, a client name and address, credit card details, priority claim information, and seniority claim information. Design of a display interface which allows collection of all these types of information in an unbroken sequence, whilst offering a selection of a plurality of different countries is a non-trivial task, and to the best of the inventor's knowledge, has not been successfully implemented in the prior art.

Prior art procedures for applying for a registration of trade mark involve filling in lengthy forms, often running to five or six sheets of A4 size paper in small font. Completion of such forms requires skill and experience, and can be confusing even for experienced paralegals. In general, such forms cannot be successfully filled in by non specialized or non experienced persons, for example an applicant for a trade mark themselves. The length and complexity of the forms required to file a registered trade mark application is indicative of the complexity of the process for applying for registration, and indicative of the inherent unsuitability of implementing such application procedures as an online process available over the internet to users of varying degrees of sophistication and knowledge.

A further problem with online transactions is that a firm cost needs to be quoted before users will complete a transaction. There needs to be definition of an exact service to be provided, and an exact cost for providing that service before users will place an online order. In the case of trademark applications, the filing cost varies according to a number of parameters, including country, number of classifications of goods and services, and legal system used A service provider can assume an average cost per country, irrespective of number of classes of goods and services or legal system, but in so doing this pricing structure exposes the service provider to undercutting from competitors, or to users picking only the

procedures where fulfillment of the order will be loss making for the service provider. Therefore, whilst providing fixed average pricing per trademark application is feasible, it is unlikely to be profitable for a service provider In order to provide an online transactional system for filing trademark applications which IS non loss making for a service provider, a service provider must address the problem of displaying and dynamically calculating costs on a per application basis, where the costs vary depending upon many parameters Specific implementation herein address the problem of the excessive time required in the prior art in advising on the different costs and legal systems available for filing a registered trademark application, and seek to provide an automated method and apparatus for obtaining firm instructions to file a registered trademark application, which contain enough information to allow a trademark attorney or service provider to actually carry out those instructions.

Summary of the Invention Specific implementation according to the present invention aim to provide a method and apparatus for inputting data concerning the filing of one or more trade mark applications, in a form easily understandable to a user uninformed on the subject of trade mark laws and procedures, in such a manner that it is clear to the user how to apply for a registered trade mark right.

The specific methods of the best mode promote a user to be drawn towards selecting a country and entering a description of goods and services, before proceeding to enter other required data including applicant details and a trade mark.

Once a user has begun to enter data into an interface according to the best mode, the user follows a logical and relatively simply laid out sequence of data

entry, resulting in all the necessary information for filing a trade mark application to be collected, without the user being diverted away from a core data entry process.

In a best mode implementation, during completion of a menu driven data entry and form filling process, a user may be assisted by on-line help information at every stage When entering a help information display, a user may be redirected back to the form filling process, as the only exit route from the help information, thereby always redirecting the user back to the data entry process, and avoiding the user becoming lost or distracted from the process of data entry.

Another object of specific implementation of the present invention is to provide a user with a display of a users selected trade mark filing program in one or a plurality of countries in a single view.

There is presented a view of a listing of a plurality of trade mark filings including country data, and goods/services data, for each country, together with an associated cost of each filing, and a total cost, In a single view according to one specific implementation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer generated interface display comprising: a zone selection menu displaying a user selectable list of geographical zones; and a goods/services menu comprising a list of goods/services descriptions selectable by a user, wherein said zone menu and said goods/services menu are presented simultaneously in a same screen view.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of automatically collecting data for Instructing at least one trade mark application, said method comprising the steps of.

(i) inputting data describing at least one geographical zone; (ii) inputting data describing a specification of goods/services ; and after steps (i) and (ii), (iii) inputting a trade mark description data describing a said trade mark.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating a display interface for displaying selectable data for filing at least one trade mark application, said method comprising the processes: (a) generating a display comprising a list of a plurality of geographical zones; and (b) generating a display comprising a list of a plurality of descriptions of goods/services, wherein said zone display and said goods/services display are generated simultaneously.

The invention includes a method of collecting data for instructing at least one trade mark application, said method comprising performing the steps of : (i) inputting data describing a geographical zone; (ii) inputting data describing a specification of goods/services;

after performing steps (i) and (ii), performing at least one step selected from the set (iii) inputting a trade mark description data; (iv) inputting data describing an applicant ; (v) inputting data describing a client ; (vi) inputting payment data describing a method of payment.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer entity capable of collecting data for instructing at least one trade mark application, said computer entity configured for performing the processes of : (i) inputting data describing at least one geographical zone; (ii) inputting data describing at least one description of goods/services; (iii) inputting a trade mark description data ; (iv) generating a display of at least one trade mark filing, generated from said input geographical zone data and said input goods/services description data, and comprising at least one cost data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer entity operating to generate a transaction interface, said transaction interface display comprising a home page view, wherein : said home page view comprises :

a link icon, said link icon connected to an interactive interface for carrying out a trade mark filing order; and at least one other icon display, said at least one other icon display leading through one or a plurality of information pages displaying information describing intellectual property rights, wherein said ordering icon is visually displayed relatively more prominently than said at least one other icon According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer generated interface display comprising: at least one display summarising a trade mark filing, said filing summary display comprising: data describing at lease one geographical zone ; data describing at least one description of goods/services; data describing at least one cost.

Whilst various aspects of specific implementation are described herein, the scope of the invention is as defined in the wording of the claims herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific

embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Fig. 1 illustrates schematically components of an on-line transaction system for enabling instructions for filing trade mark rights to be carried out on-line over a communications network ; Fig. 2 illustrates schematically hardware and software components of the transaction system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates schematically an overall logical architecture of a transaction system comprising the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 illustrates schematically a data model describing relationships between different data types according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Fig. 5 illustrates schematically an architecture for layout of display views produced by an interface according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Fig. 6 illustrates schematically data fields of an order file, illustrating different types of data to be collected by the transaction system of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 illustrates schematically a process flow diagram for construction and operation of the transaction system according to the best mode specific implementation ; Fig. 8 illustrates schematically an interactive display interface, for collection of data according to a specific implementation of the present invention;

Fig. 9 illustrates schematically a zone menu comprising the display interface of Fig. 8 ; Fig 10 illustrates schematically a goods/services menu of the interactive display interface of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 illustrates schematically a filing summary view of the interactive display interface of Fig. 8; Fig. 12 illustrates schematically a mode of operation of the transaction system, followed where a user enters a selection of a zone and goods and services for a first time in a data entry operation ; Fig. 13 illustrates schematically a second mode of operation of the transaction system for collecting data concerning an additional trade mark filing and/or a modified trade mark filing ; Fig. 14 illustrates schematically a second filing summary view of the display interface of Fig. 8, displaying a plurality of trade mark filings according to a second filing schedule ; Fig. 15 illustrates schematically a second view of the display interface of Fig.

8, for collection of applicant data; Fig. 16 illustrates schematically a third view of the interface display of Fig 8, for collection of trade marks data; and Fig. 17 illustrates schematically a fourth view of the display interface of Fig. 8, for collection of payment data.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 herein, there is illustrated schematically components of a transactional system according to a best mode implementation of the present invention. The system comprises one or a plurality of user terminals 100, being conventional personal computers, Macintoshe computers or the like, being provided with a conventional browser, and having access to a conventional printer device 101 for printing hard copy of received e-mail documents; a transactional computer 102, with optional associated printer device 103, operating to provide an on-line interface display accessible by each of the user terminals 100, and generating an administration interface display, accessible to modify or enter data relating to trade marks, including geographical zones, costs, laws and procedures and the like, the transactional computer capable of carrying out on-line transactions for the fulfillment of orders and instructions for filing of trade mark rights by a service provider entity; and a service provider computer 104, comprising a conventional PC, Macintoshe computer, or the like, equipped with a printer 105, and a conventional browser, the service provider computer 104 operable to access the transactional computer 102 to receive transaction orders collected by the transactional computer, and apply changes of data relating to trade marks, on stored data bases of the transactional computer 102.

The transactional computer 102, can communicate with the user computers 100 via a known communications network, for example a virtual private network,

wide area network, local area network, or the internet 105 as are known in the art, and similarly the transactional computer 102 can communicate with the service provider computer 104 The service provider computer 104 can communicate with the user computer 100 via e-mail as IS known In the art.

Referring to Fig. 2 herein, there IS illustrated schematically components of a transactional computer 200, a service provider computer 201, and a user computer 202 of the system of Fig 1. Transactional computer 200 comprises a communications port 203; a data processor 204; associated memory 205; a data storage device 206, for example a RAID array or the like ; an operating system 204, for example the known Windows zu Unis@, or Linu) operating systems; a user interface 208, for local administration of the transactional computer, comprising a video monitor, key board, and pointing device such as a mouse or the like ; a web interface 209 for displaying HTML web pages to the one or plurality of user computers 202 and one or a plurality of service provider computers 201; and a transaction site component 210. The transaction site component 210 in the best mode is implemented as code for operating the processor, memory and data storage devices 204-206 of the transactional computer, under control of operating system 207 to provide functionality for generation of and display of web pages, receiving transaction orders, and forwarding transaction orders to the user computer 202 and service provider computer 201 over a communications network, for example the internet, and for providing access to administration functionality for modification of data stored within the web server computer, by service provider computer 201.

The transaction site component 210 In the best mode is implemented as program instructions In a known programming language such as C, C++, or the like, and utilizing HTML for generation of page displays Service provider computer 201 comprises a communications port 211, for example a conventional modem for connecting with the transactional computer

200, and also a printer port and driver for driving a printer 212 for printing out a hard copy receipt and order confirmation of received transaction instructions, a data processor 213, for example an Intel @, or the like, processor; associated memory 214 as is known in the art; a data storage device 215, for example a hard disk or an array of hard disks drives; an operating system 216, for example the known Windows zu Windows dz Windows z or Windows NTO, Uni) or Lino) operating systems; a user interface 219 comprising a video display monitor, a keyboard, for data entry purposes, and a pointing device e. g a mouse as is known in the art; a browser 218, for example a known Netscape browser or the like, and a conventional e-mail application 219 for receiving and sending e-mails.

The user computer 202 can be any computer entity available to be connected on-line, for example any known computer entity which is internet enabled, as is known in the art, and comprises a communications port 220, optionally with a printer driver for driving a printer device 221; a processor 222, including any known processor type, for example an lntelo processor or the like ; memory 223 as IS known in the art, a data storage device 224, for example a hard disk drive; a known operating system 225 for example a Windows, Macintosho, Unis@, or Linuxe operating system; a known user interface 226 comprising a visual display monitor, keyboard, pointing device e. g. mouse or the like, or a web interface; a known browser 227 for example a Netscape @ browser; optionally a graphics application 228 for storing and/or scanning in image data describing a graphical trade mark and storing that image data as a file, for example a JPEG file, PDF file or the like ; and optionally an e-mail application 229 for sending and receiving e-mails Referring to Fig. 3 herein, transaction site component 210 comprises a transaction and display interface 300 for generating an interactive graphical display capable of displaying information and inputting data; a transaction engine 301 for receiving data input via the display and transaction interface 300; a cost calculator engine 302 for calculating costs corresponding to different trade mark applications in different countries having different numbers of classes of goods and services; a

cost data base 303 storing tabulated data on costs for different countries; a zone data base 304 for storing a list of countries, geographical regions or zones in which trade mark protection can be applied for ; a goods/services data base 305 containing text describing lists of goods and services according to a classification system, In the best mode the known Nice international classification system for goods and services but in other embodiments, including national classifications, such as the German class system, a text data file 306 for storing text data describing procedures and information relating to trade marks and a service provider; an administration interface 307 allowing the service provider computer to modify data contained in the cost data base 303, zone data base 304 and the goods/services data base 305, and also to allow the service provider to view details of transaction orders received and print out details of transaction orders received; and an administration engine 308 for providing functionality for driving the administration interface 307.

Referring to Fig. 4 herein, there is illustrated schematically a data model describing relationships between data types stored in and collected by the transaction site component 210. In Fig. 4, a directional arrow indicates a one to many relationship and a link line having an open circle represents an optional relationship. Data types include goods/services type data 400 describing individual text items of goods or services; classification data 401 describing individual class headings of goods/services according to one or more national or international classification treaties; treaty data 402 describing International treaties relevant to the classification data, for example the Nice Agreement, and/or individual classification systems for individual national trade mark offices,

zone cost data 402, describing for each of a plurality of geographical zones, for example individual States or regions such as the European Union, costs for filing and or prosecuting trade mark applications in those zones, where each zone has a corresponding respective trade mark application filing cost and/or registration cost assigned; international zone cost data 403, describing alternative costs for each of a plurality of zones (individual countries or regions such as the European Community) of which trade mark rights can be filed in as part of an international procedure, for example the Madrid Protocol and/or Madrid Agreement; client contact detail data 404 describing names of one or more legal persons to whom a service provider has a client relationship with, applicant data 405, describing a name of one or more legal persons who are to be recorded as applicant (s) for one or more trade mark applications ; mark data 406, comprising data describing a trade mark, which may be in the form of text data, image data, and/or audio data; and application item data 407 describing a connection and relationship between a mark data, zone data and classification data, the application item data 407 constituting enough information for a service provider to perform a trade mark filing operation at a governmental or intergovernmental trade marks office on behalf of the applicant and/or client.

Referring to Fig. 5 herein, there is illustrated schematically a layout architecture for display of page and interface views by the transaction site.

A home page 500 is displayed when a user first connects to the transaction site. From the home page, by activating link icons as is known in the art, a user

can cause display of either a background information page 501, an ordenng interface 502 or an information page 503 describing details about the service provider In the best mode the home page 500 is configured such that an icon leading to the ordering interface 502 is visually more highly prominent than icons leading to the background information page 501, or service provider information page 503, so that the natural next step of a user is activating that icon which leads through to ordering interface 502 which naturally leads through to an interactive ordering process 514, assisted by an information display 513 on how to perform that process. Therefore, whilst a user can access the background invention page 501 or service provider information page 503 from the home page 500, a first time user, in terms of probability, is more likely to access the ordering interface 502 as a next step than access the other pages, and therefore has a higher probability of commencing a trade mark filing operation as a next step after accessing the home page, than reading about background information or details of the service provider.

In other words, by setting up the icons to lead the user into the ordering page, the risk of the user wandering around and accessing different pages, which do not lead to a trade mark filing application process is reduced, and the probability of the user finding the ordering interface, from which a trade mark filing operation can be activated is relatively increased.

Since the whole point of the transaction system is to obtain a firm instruction for filing one or more registered trade mark applications, the service provider ideally does not wish the user to become distracted from the basic operation of data entry leading to a firm instruction for filing a trade mark application. On the other hand, a new user is unlikely to instruct a registered trade mark application, unless the user is satisfied that they understand what they are doing, and are satisfied about the soundness and competence of the service provider. Therefore, information about trade mark laws, procedures and processes should be included on the web site and information about the service provider, but the objective as far as the service provider is concerned, is to draw the user into a data entry process for filing a trade mark application, without getting lost, becoming frustrated, or

clicking away into cyberspace before a trade mark filing instruction is completed. Therefore, the visual design of the home page should be such that in terms of relative sizes, an icon leading to the ordering interface 502 is of a larger area of visual prominence than the Icons leading to background information page 501 or service provider information page 503 Background information page 501 leads through to a trade mark attorney page 504 containing text description explaining who trade mark attorneys are and/or what trade mark attorneys do; a registration process page display 505 containing text data describing a trade mark registration process in one or more countries; a countries and costs page 506, containing text describing a list of one or more countries and associated costs for filing and/or prosecution of trade mark rights in those countries, the countries and costs page comprising a costs section 507 describing costs and a procedure section 508 describing procedures; a classifications page 509, for describing a plurality of goods or services divided into a plurality of individual classes ; and a trade mark searches page 512 describing information relating to the purpose of and procedures for performing trade mark searches.

Service provider information page 503 comprises a section 515 describing who the service provider is, a section 516 describing physical and/or logical address details of a service provider and a legal section 517 containing legal information, contractual information concerning the service provider and/or a legal relationship between a service provider and a user or potential user of the transaction site.

Referring to Fig. 6 herein, there is illustrated schematically an order data file containing a minimum set of data fields necessary for the fulfillment of an on-line transaction order for filing a trade mark application, which enables a service provider to fulfil the order without the need for manual intervention in contacting the user, for example by telephone, email or fax.

The data types can be classified into three sets 601-603 ; a first set 601 of essential data; a second set 602 of preferred data; and a third set 603 of optional data. If any of the data types identified in the first set 601, are not collected by the transaction interface 300 then the process of Instructing a registered trade mark application order is not fully automated but will require manual intervention from the service provider to contact the user, or alternatively the user contacting the service provider direct.

The minimum data types 601 comprising the order file Include. data identifying at least one zone or region in which a trade mark application is to be filed ; data identifying at least one item of goods and/or services for which a trade mark application is to be filed, data describing the trade mark Itself, which can be text data, image data or audio data or any combination thereof; and either client data, comprising data identifying a client as a legal person, including client address data and client contact detail data, and/or data identifying the name of the applicant as a natural legal person or legal entity.

The above data items must be collected in order to allow a service provider to perform a valid trade mark application filing operation.

The client may be the same legal person as the applicant, or may be a different person. The service provider may specify, by means of text written

agreement displayed on the interface, that unless otherwise specified the client will be the same as the applicant The order file also contains a second set of data 602 which, whilst not absolutely essential for the filing of a registered trade mark application, a service provider is unlikely to wish to provide the trade mark filing service unless the second data types are provided by a user These data types include : data identifying a financial account, either a credit card account or bank account; authorization data enabling collection of payment from the financial account; and a contact address data identifying a person to whom the service provider can refer in respect of the application, the contact address data comprising either a telephone number, an email address and/or a physical address.

A third set of data 603 represents data which ideally the service provider would collect automatically through the on-line transaction system, but for which failure to make immediate collection of does not necessary prohibit the service provider from fulfilling an order. Data types in the third set include : Priority data describing one or more earlier trade mark applications in the same or different countries, from which the user wishes to claim priority for a present trade mark application, subject of the order.

Seniority data, comprising data required for making a valid seniority claim in the case of European Community trade mark application.

To file a valid priority claim under the Paris Convention, the minimum data required is a country (or zone) of an earlier trade mark application and date of filing of the earlier trade mark application. Ideally, but not essentially, to make a priority claim, an application number of the earlier trade mark application is required.

Sophisticated, knowledgeable users of the system may understand very well exactly what priority data is required to obtain a valid priority claim on filing However, bearing in mind the potential broad range of the abilities and knowledge of individual users, some users may not understand at all what priority data is and consequently may enter spurious data as priority data or enter no data at all.

Sophisticated users may understand well the information requirements for a valid seniority claim, whereas other users may enter spurious data or ignore this data type.

The essential data items in the first data set will always Include a country, a mark data and data describing at least one goods or service because it IS not possible to file a registered trade mark application without specifying each of these data types, and includes either an applicant's details or a client's details, otherwise the service provider will not know who to report to or apply for the registration for Data types within the second data set may, as a configuration option available to the service provider, be flagged for collection by the interface. However, the greater the number of data types which the service provider specifies that the interface must collect before forwarding an order to the service provider, the more hurdles the service provider is putting before a user in order to achieve an automated order for filing a trade mark application. For example, if a service provider specifies that priority data must be entered and configures the user interface so that it will keep requesting priority data until the user enters that data, then a certain proportion of attempted orders by users will fail through the failure to understand what priority data is or have to hand the necessary priority data in order to proceed.

Similarly, a user may not understand the difference between being a client and an applicant, therefore if a service provider specifies that both an applicant name and a client name must be entered before an order can be completed, then the chances of that order being completed are correspondingly reduced.

In the best mode, the service provider specifies which data types, must be collected, bearing in mind the more data types which are specified as being essential, the lower the chance of receiving an automated order, but the less data types specified as being essential, the harder it is to carry out the filing of a trade mark application on a received order.

Referring to Fig. 7 herein, there is illustrated schematically a process flow diagram, illustrating a logical process flow for generating and operating an interactive interface display, and for governing a sequence of data input via the interactive interface display, according to the best mode implementation of the present invention.

A process for collection of data for filing a trade mark right commences in menu process 700 by selecting the ordering process 514 from the home page 500. The ordering process 514 builds an order file containing at least a minimum data required in order for the service provider to fulfil the trade mark application order automatically, and without the need to refer to the user by manual intervention, for example telephoning the user or sending an email to the user requesting further data.

In select zone process 701, a user selects a country via an interactive ordering interface display. In select goods/services process 702, the user selects at least one class of goods or services which applies to the trade mark. In filing summary process 709, there is displayed one or a plurality of trade mark filings, specifying country and classes of goods and services.

The user can commence data entry either in the select zone process 701, or in the select goods/services process 702. The select zone and select goods/services processes are presented on a single screen display of the interface, and the user can Input zones, and for each zone a list of goods/services in one or more classes of goods/services, to build up a plurality of trade mark filings which are displayed and which can be modified In the filing summary process 709. The user can move between the select zone process 701, select goods/services process 702 and filing summary process 709 in any order and can switch backwards and forwards between these processes The data collection process then continues through an applicant details data entry process 710, followed by a trade mark details data entry process 711 and a payment details data entry process 712 followed by an order confirmation process 713.

Each of the applicant details process 710, trade mark details process 711 and payment details process 712 have a different screen view presented on the interface, and the user can move backwards or forwards along the sequence of applicant detail, trade mark detail, and payment details processes, to make sure that the data entries made are correct, before proceeding to the order confirmation process 713.

It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the order In which the processes 710-712 are earned out may be vaned In other embodiments.

There will now be described operation of the transaction system for collection of data describing a set of trade mark application filings.

Referring to Fig. 8 herein, there is illustrated an ordering page display 800 presented by the ordering interface 502 when a user enters ordering process 514

via menu process 600. The ordering page display comprises a substantially rectangular display having a ratio of width dimension to height dimension in the range width 0.5 to 1 to height 0.5 to 1 The ordering display 800 comprises a first menu 801 identified by text inviting a user to pick a geographical zone, for example a country, state or region; a second drop down menu 802 identified by text inviting a user to select an item of goods or services; an"add to order"icon 803 identified by text inviting a user to confirm a selection, for example identified by the text"add to basket" or similar, a first help icon 804 positioned immediately adjacent first menu 801; a second help icon 805 positioned immediately adjacent second menu 802; and a process information display 806 explaining in text and graphical terms by example, how to operate the zone selection menu 801 and goods/service selection 802 and"add to order"icon 803.

The select zone process 701, and select goods/services process 702 are carried out using the ordering page display 800.

Referring to Fig. 9 herein, there is illustrated schematically operation of zone menu 801. The zone menu operates as a drop down menu display Drop down menu displays per se are known in the art. However, in this case, the drop down menu is modified to display a list of zones in alphabetical order, which can be selected by a user by placing a pointer icon 900 over a displayed zone text 901, and activating the icon, for example by double clicking a pointing device such as a mouse. Selection of a zone via the zone menu 801 enters data into zone selection process 601.

In this specification the term"zone"refers to a geographical zone, for which legal rights concerning a trade mark can be applied for. A zone can include a state, a country, a region, for example the European Union, or a plurality of countries/regions party to a legal protocol, for example the countries within the Madrid System, or countries within the Paris Convention.

Referring to Fig. 10 herein, there IS Illustrated schematically goods/services menu 802, used for selecting a classification of goods/services in process 702.

The goods/services menu comprises a drop down menu display 1000, listing a plurality of classes of goods and/or services. Each class is listed in order, with a brief description of goods/services contained in that class. In the best mode implementation, the number of text characters displayed for each class is within the range 10 to 25 characters, and includes text describing a class number, and an abbreviated text giving a hint of which type of goods and services are contained in that class, typically a one word or two word description of items in that class. Since the amount of screen space available for display of lists of goods and services within the goods/services drop down menu is limited, in the best mode it is desirable that the text describing an example of goods or services within each class is brief and representative of all goods and services in that class. Users of the interface cannot be assumed to have an adequate knowledge of trademark filing procedures, and cannot be assumed to know that for each trademark application, a country, a list of goods and services and the trademark need to be entered into the interface. Therefore, the content and layout of the zone menu, and goods/services menu must make it immediately apparent and obvious to a user that a zone needs to be entered, and one or more classes of goods and services need to be entered before a trademark application can be instructed. The amount of screen space available for collecting the information, in the best mode is optimally used by presenting the zone information as a drop down menu of individual states or regions, and presenting the goods/services information as a drop down list of individual classes of goods and services. If a user fails to enter at least one zone from the zone menu 801 and at least one class of goods and services from the goods/services menu 802, then insufficient data will be collected to enable automated instruction of filing of a registered trademark application. In the best mode, the chances of a user successfully entering at least one zone and at least one class of goods and services is optimized by the layout of the zone menu 801 and goods/services menu 802 in a same screen view, and by presenting text instructions within the zone menu and within the goods/services menu making

immediately obvious to the user, the purpose of the zone menu 801 and the purpose of the goods/services menu 802.

On presentation of the ordering page display by the interface as shown in Fig. 8, having the zone menu and goods/services menu of Figs. 9 and 10, an unsophisticated user having little or no knowledge of trademark application procedure may immediately become aware that in order to proceed with the trademark application, the user needs to select a country and select at least one class of goods and services, because the layout of the ordering display teaches the user how to select a trademark, both by the graphical and text instructions 806, and by the general layout of the zone menu and goods/services menu and add to order icon 803.

Further, first help icon 804 IS positioned immediately adjacent to the zone menu 801 such that it is immediately apparent to a user, that help information describing the zone menu can be accessed by activating that first help icon. On activating the first help icon, there appears a pop up text box, containing a brief summary of how to select a zone. In order to proceed, the user must close the help text box, and on closing the help text box, the view reverts to the ordering page view. There is specifically provided no provision within the help text, to access other areas of help on other subjects other than the zone menu, since to do so may encourage a user to become distracted from the basic process of data entry.

Similarly, the second help icon 805 is placed immediately adjacent to the goods/services menu, and accessing the second help item leads to a second help display containing text data about goods and services and classifications of goods and services. Exit from the second help display leads back to the ordering page 800.

Referring again to Fig. 7 herein, the logical structure of the ordering interface 502 IS laid out, such that the user can commence a data entry operation, either by entering a zone via zone menu 801, or by entering goods and services via goods/services menu 802. A user can either select a zone in process 701, initially, or can select a classification of goods and services in process 702. Whichever point the user starts to enter data, either zone data or goods/services data, the interface does not allow the user to proceed, without completing the other one of the zone data or goods/services data to be collected If a user selects a zone In process 701, then in process 703 it is checked whether at least one class of goods and services has been entered already. If so, then in process 704, a filing summary display, is generated, showing the country, and classes of goods and/or services which the user has selected.

Referring to Fig. 11 herein, there is illustrated schematically an ordering page display generated by the interface, once a user has entered at least one country and at least one list of goods and services. User option process 704 comprises the opportunity to enter text data describing individual goods and services in a dialogue box 1100.

The display comprises the zone menu 801 and goods/services menu 802, together with the add to order icon 803 which always remain on the display. Additionally, a proceed icon 1101 is displayed within the screen display viewed by the user, so that it is always visible In the view of Fig. 11. Therefore, it is always immediately apparent to the user that a logical next step in the process is to activate proceed icon 1101.

The basket display 1102 comprises data describing at least one selected country 1103; data describing at least one selected class of goods or services 1104, listing each class of goods/services selected, together with a brief text description 1105 of items contained within that class ; a dialogue box 1106,

operable to accept text input data from a user, to give more explanation about any particular goods/services, described in the words selected by the user themselves, a cost display 1106 comprising, a basic cost for filing a trademark application in the designated territory 1108, which can vary depending on the number of classes selected ; a summary cost 1109 before any extras, this being a total of one or more basic costs; an extras cost 1110, being a cost which varies if any additional cost is to be applied for a regional trade mark application, for example a Madrid System Application ; and a total cost 1111, being the summation of the summary cost and the extras cost.

In a cost system utilized in the best mode, each trade mark application has a core cost for filing a single trade mark application for a single classification of goods/services in a single zone. If any additional classes of goods/services are selected, then an additional cost per class may be added, to arrive at the basic cost for that filing 1108. Cost data may be tabulated In cost database 303, such that the basic cost does not necessarily rise linearly with additional numbers of classes of goods and services added. For example, a core cost for a single zone and single class of goods and services may be maintained even if one or two extra classes of goods and services are selected. Then, after that any additional selections of classes, for example a fourth, fifth and subsequent classes may attract an additional cost. Cost profiles may be input as a look up table, where the relative cost of additional classes of goods and services decreases, the more classes which are selected.

Further, where a different legal system is selected, for example the Madrid System as an alternative route to obtaining legal protection, than a national trade mark filing, the basic cost per zone may be different from the basic cost of the application via a different legal system. Consequently, where an extras cost 1110 corresponding to a Madrid System filing is applied, the individual basic costs for each country within that selection may reduce compared to their corresponding respective basic costs if those zones were selected for a national trade mark filing.

If in step 703, at least one class of goods and services has not been selected then optionally, a user is prompted, to enter at least one class of goods and services. Such prompting may be by for example a pop up message, reminding the user that at least one class of goods must be selected. Such message may take the form"you must specify at least one class of goods/services"or similar.

Alternatively, a user may initially attempt to pick a class of goods and services via goods/services menu 802 in process 702. The user selects at least one class of goods and services by the menu as described with reference to Fig. 10 herein.

In process 706 it is then checked whether a zone has been selected. If a zone has been selected, then the zone is matched to the selected classification of goods and services in process 708. If a zone has not been selected, then in user option 707, the user must select at least one zone from the zone menu 801 In order to build up a trademark filing programme, the user can select as many different countries from the zone menu 801, and as many different goods/service classifications from the goods/service menu 802 as required, which are added to the filing summary display by activating icon 803.

Referring to Fig. 12 herein, there is illustrated schematically a process carried out where a user is presented with the interface display of Fig. 8 for the first time, and enters a first selection of zone and goods/services.

The user can commence the process either at step 1200, by selecting a zone from the zone menu 801, or at step 1203 by selecting at least one classification of goods and services from goods/services menu 802.

In the case where the user commences at step 1200 by selecting a zone, in step 1201, it is checked whether at least one class of goods and services have been selected. If there is no current selection of goods and services, then in step

1102 the ordering interface may display a prompt message, prompting the user to pick at least one classification of goods and services. In step 1203, after the user has selected at least one classification of goods and services from goods/service menu 802, then in step 1204 it is checked whether at least one country has been selected. Since at least one country has been selected in step 1100 the ordering interface 502 proceeds to optionally, display a prompt message, prompting the user to add the selection to the order by activating add to order icon 803. In step 1206, after having activated the add to order icon 803, the item is added to the application item 407, and details of the country and classes of goods and services are displayed in step 1207, as shown in Fig 11 herein, along with the calculated costs, and the alternative filing option through the Madrid system, determined in step 1207.

If the user enters a list of goods/services, before entering a first zone, then a classification of goods and services are selected In step 1203. In step 1204 it is checked whether a zone is selected, and in this case, since a zone is not selected, in step 1210, optionally, there may be displayed a prompt message prompting the user to select a zone. The prompt message may be generated as a pop up overlay display which appears on a region of the view so as not to obscure the zone menu and goods/services menu, and disappears either by user selection of an"ok"icon or where at least one country has been selected via the zone manu 801. Once a zone is selected in step 1200, then in step 1201 it is checked whether at least one class of goods and services has been selected. Since these have been entered earlier in step 1203, then the display interface proceeds to the add to order prompt in step 1105, and further steps as described herein above.

In step 1207 a cost for the particular zone and the particular classification (s) of goods/services is determined.

In step 1208, It IS checked whether the trademark application can be filed through any procedures other than the national trademark application, for example

via a European Union trademark application (OHIM), or via the Madrid Union If the particular country selected belongs to any other treaty, and provided there IS no conflict concerning the classification of goods and services entered for that particular country, then a selection icon allowing the user to select that alternative treaty IS displayed within that basket item for that country selection Referring to Fig 13 herein, there is illustrated schematically process steps carried out at least one trademark filing item already exists in the order. If a trademark filing item already exists in the order in step 1300, then this means that at least one country or region has already been selected from the zone menu, and at least one class of goods and services has been selected from the classification item, and added to the order. The user may select an additional trademark filing item by repeating the selection process, i. e. by selecting a country or region from the zone menu 801, for filing a trademark application in a different country In step 1301, the user selects an additional country from zone menu 801 as previously described. In step 1302, if a user selects at least one class of goods and services from goods/service menu 802 prior to activating add to order icon 803, then in step 1305, the new trademark filing item is added to the order and displayed as a trademark filing item, listing country, at least one selected class of goods and services (selected by the user), a cost data, and, where applicable, additional treaty data as described with reference to Figs. 1206-1209. However, if the user simply adds to the order in step 1303 by activating add to order icon 803, without selecting any classes of goods and services from goods/service menu 802, then in step 1304, the transaction engine assumes the previously selected list of goods and services and matches these to the new country selected, to create a trademark filing item which is added to the order.

Referring to Fig. 14 herein, there is illustrated schematically the filing summary display showing a plurality of trademark filing items added to an order by a user. Where a users display terminal has dimension which do not allow display of all items, the filing summary section listing the plurality of trademark filing items

can be scrolled Scrolling of displays is known in the art. Scrolling of the display does not affect display of data entry region 1401 comprising zone menu and goods/services menu, which remains viewable on the display A plurality of individual filing items 1402-1405 are displayed, each having a separate basic cost, and any additional costs, for example filing through an alternative treaty such as the Madrid System, are displayed In the example shown in Fig. 14, an option of filing a French and German trademark application via a Madrid System application has been selected by a user.

For each filing item, a user may interactively modify the item, after the item has been added to a basket. For example to modify a trademark filing item 1402 for filing a trademark application in Belgium to insert an additional class, the user may revert to the zone menu 801, select the country Belgium from the drop down menu, and then from the goods/service menu 802 select an additional class of goods and services.

A user may also further specify in their own words, for each filing item individually, goods and services to be registered in the country of that filing item, by entering text data into the corresponding respective dialogue box of that filing item.

Similarly, each individual class of goods and services listed within a filing item may be deleted by activating a delete icon displayed adjacent to the listed class.

Within each filing Item, for each parameter of data, including zone, individual class of goods/services, there is displayed a help icon. Activation of the help icon by a user leads to a text format display providing text information relevant to that parameter. Once in the help display, the only way out of the help display is back to the filing item from which the help display was activated.

In the case of a country data, activation of the help menu may give rise to display of information describing trademark procedures within that country, for example whether oppositions occur, approximate times for registration, or any further legal procedures which may apply, as entered in the zone database 304.

In the case of classification of goods and services, activation of the adjacent corresponding respective help icon may cause display of a full or truncated list of goods or services within that classification, optionally with an explanatory note as to abbreviated generic description of goods or services within that class. The abbreviated display may have the advantage of taking up less screen space than if a display of a full list of goods and services, which may require a scroll bar, or take up a large area of screen display, obscuring other filing items within the basket display.

Once a user is satisfied with the displayed order of trademark filing items, the user may proceed by activating of proceed icon 1101. Activation of the proceed icon leads from the application summary display 1400 into an applicant detail display as shown in Fig. 15 herein, according to an applicant details process 710.

Referring to Fig. 15 herein, applicant details display 1500 comprises dialogue boxes for entry of name of applicant, company name, email address, telephone number, fax number, postal address, country and a description of the business to which the trademark applies. Applicant detail display 1500 relates to collection of data identifying the applicant and collection of contact address data.

Referring to Fig. 16 herein, there is illustrated schematically a trade mark display view for entering details of a trademark. The trademark view 1600 comprises a dialogue box 1601 for entering a trademark consisting of words only ; a dialogue box for entering a written description of a trademark, for example where the trademark is a sound or a smell, a written description of that sound or smell ; and a browse facility activated by browse icon 1603, for browsing a users internal

data storage device to find an image data file or audio data file, where the trademark is a logo or image which can be represented In graphical form as Image data.

The trademark view also comprises a priority claims section 1604 comprising a dialogue box 1605 for entering a country or originating office of a priority claim, a priority trademark application number, and a priority filing date 1607. Priority claim information is data of the third set type, which is not essential for filing a registered trademark application, but which is preferable to collect. The trademark display view also comprises a seniority claim section 1608, which may be either permanently displayed, or be configured to be displayed only when a European Union trademark application has been selected within the application summary display. The seniority claim section comprises a dialogue box for specifying an office of seniority filing 1609, generally a European Union national trademark office, an application/registration number of the seniority application, and a filing date and/or registration date of the seniority application.

Data of one or more priority claims may be entered, and one or more seniority claims may be entered.

The trademark application display also comprises a"previous icon"1612 which leads back to a previous display (the applicant detail display) and a next icon 1613, which leads to a next display, being a payment details display as will be described hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. 17 herein, there is illustrated schematically a payment details display for implementing collection of payment details in process 712. The payment details display comprises data fields for entering a credit card type, credit card number, expiry date of credit card, a name holder of a credit card and a postal address and country of a credit card. Entry of payment details by a display as shown in Fig. 17 are known in the art. There is also provided either as part of the

payment display, or alternatively elsewhere on the interface, an icon 1701 for stepping back to a previous display, and an Icon 1702 for submitting the trademark application as a firm order Activation of the submit application icon 1702 activates order confirmation process 713, in which data collected for a plurality of application items IS entered into the transaction computer 102 as a confirmed order.

Claims

Claims :

1. A computer generated interface display comprising: a zone selection menu displaying a user selectable list of geographical zones; and a goods/services menu comprising a list of goods/services descriptions selectable by a user, wherein said zone menu and said goods/services menu are presented simultaneously in a same screen view.

2. The interface as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a confirmation icon, activatable by a user to confirm a selection of at least one zone selected from said zone menu, and at least one goods/services description selected from said goods/services menu, said confirmation icon appearing in a same screen view as said zone menu and said goods/services menu.

3. The interface as claimed in claim 1 or 2, said interface comprising' a first help icon, said first help icon positioned adjacent to said zone menu, said first help icon act) vatabfe to generate a first help display, comprising text information describing operation of said zone menu

4. The interface as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first help display IS operable such that exit of said first help display leads to a said view of said zone selection menu and said goods/services menu.

5. The interface as claimed in claim 1, said interface comprising :

a second help icon, said second help icon positioned adjacent to said goods/services menu, said second help icon activatable to generate a second help display, comprising text information describing operation of said goods/services menu.

6 The interface as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second help display is operable such that exit of said second help display leads to a said view of said goods/services menu and said goods/services menu.

7. A method of automatically collecting data for instructing at least one trade mark application, said method comprising the steps of: (iv) inputting data describing at least one geographical zone ; (v) inputting data describing a specification of goods/services; and after steps (i) and (ii), (vi) inputting a trade mark description data describing a said trade mark.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising at least one step selected from the set : (vii) inputting data describing an applicant ; (viii) inputting data describing a client ; (ix) inputting payment data describing a method of payment.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein steps (i) and (ii) are carried out at least once before carrying out steps (iv) to (vi).

10. The method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising at least one step selected from the set : (vii) inputting data describing at least one priority claim ; (viii) inputting data describing at least one seniority claim

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said steps (i) and (if) are carried out before step (vii) or step (viii)

12. The method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising the step of : inputting data specifying at least one said geographical zone to be included as a Madrid System designation.

13. The method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein said step (iii) of inputting a trade mark data comprises inputting text data.

14. The method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said step (iii) of inputting a trade mark data comprises inputting an audio data file.

15. The method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein said step (iii) of inputting a trade mark data comprises inputting an image data file.

16. The method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 15, wherein if a said step (i) of inputting data describing at least one geographical zone is carried out before said step (ii) of inputting data describing a specification of goods/services, then ;

checking whether at least one data describing a specification of goods/services is entered, if a said data describing specification of goods/services IS not entered, then generating a prompt message prompting a user to carry out step (if) of inputting a data describing a specification of goods/services ; and displaying a prompt message to prompt a user to confirm said geographical zone data and said data describing said specification of goods/services.

17. The method as claimed In any of claims 7 to 16, wherein : if said step (i) of inputting a data describing at least on geographical zone, and said step (ii) of inputting data describing a specification of goods/services have each been completed at least once, then: in response to a user input of a further data describing at least one geographical zone, assigning a said previous input data describing a specification of goods/services, to said further data describing at least one geographical zone.

18. A method of generating a display interface for displaying selectable data for filing at least one trade mark application, said method comprising the processes : (c) generating a display comprising a list of a plurality of geographical zones; and (d) generating a display comprising a list of a plurality of descriptions of goods/services,

wherein said zone display and said goods/services display are generated simultaneously.

19. The method as claimed In claim 18, further comprising the process of: generating a display comprising: at least one selected country; at least one selected description of goods/services relating to said country.

20. The method as claimed in claim18 and 19, further comprising the process of: generating a display comprising: a plurality of selected countries; a plurality of selected descriptions of goods/services relating to said country.

21. The method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, further comprising the process of: generating a summary display configured to display geographical zone data and goods/services data for at least one selected geographical zone and at least one description of goods/services.

22. The method as claimed in any one of claims 18-21, further comprising the process of:

generating an applicant data entry display for entry of trade mark applicant data, wherein said applicant data entry display is not generated until at least one zone data describing at least one geographical zone, and a description of goods/services data descnbing at least one goods/service has been entered via said display Interface

23. A method of collecting data for instructing at least one trade mark application, said method comprising performing the steps of.

(i) inputting data describing a geographical zone; (ii) inputting data describing a specification of goods/services ; after performing steps (i) and (ii), performing at least one step selected from the set (iii) inputting a trade mark description data; (IV) inputting data describing an applicant ; (v) inputting data describing a client ; (vi) inputting payment data describing a method of payment.

24. A computer entity capable of collecting data for instructing at least one trade mark application, said computer entity configured for performing the processes of : (iv) inputting data describing at least one geographical zone ;

(v) inputting data describing at least one description of goods/services, (vi) inputting a trade mark description data, (iv) generating a display of at least one trade mark filing, generated from said input geographical zone data and said input goods/services description data, and compnsing at least one cost data.

25. The computer entity as claimed in claim 24, further configured for performing at least one process selected from the set : (v) inputting data describing an applicant person; (vi) inputting data describing a client contact person ; (vii) inputting payment data describing a payment; (viii) inputting data describing a priority claim ; (ix) inputting data describing a seniority claim.

26. A computer entity operating to generate a transaction interface, said transaction interface display comprising a home page view, wherein: said home page view comprises : a link icon, said link icon connected to an interactive interface for carrying out a trade mark filing order; and

at least one other icon display, said at least one other Icon display leading through one or a plurality of information pages displaying information describing intellectual property rights, wherein said ordering icon IS visually displayed relatively more prominently than said at least one other icon.

27. A computer generated interface display comprising: at least one display summarising a trade mark filing, said filing summary display comprising : data describing at least one geographical zone ; data describing at least one description of goods/services; data describing at least one cost.

28. The computer generated interface display as claimed in claim 27, comprising: a plurality of trade mark filing items, each said trade mark filing comprising : data describing a geographical zone, data describing at least one description of goods/services; a cost data relating to a cost for filing a trade mark application in said geographical zone for said at least one description of goods/services.

29. The computer generated interface display as claimed in claim 27 or 28, further comprising: a display indicating at least one optional legal system, applicable to a said trade mark filing.

30 A computer generated interface display, capable of generating a plurality of screen views, said views comprising: an ordering view, said ordering view comprising a zone selection data entry component for entering data specifying at least one geographical zone, and a goods/services data input component for inputting data describing at least one goods/service, wherein said zone data entry component and said goods/services data entry component are presented simultaneously within said ordering view.

31. A computer generated interface display, capable of generating a plurality of screen views, said views comprising: an ordering view, said ordering view comprising a zone selection data entry component for entering data specifying at least one geographical zone, and a goods/services data input component for inputting data descnbing at least one goods/service, wherein said zone data entry component and said goods/services data entry component are presented simultaneously within said ordering view; a filing summary view, said filing summary view compnsing data describing at least one selected geographical zone, and for said at least one selected geographical zone a corresponding description of goods/services selected for said geographical zone.

32. The interface as claimed in claim 31, further comprising:

a trade mark view, for receiving data describing a trade mark; an applicant view capable of receiving data describing an applicant ; a client view capable of receiving data describing a client ; a priority claim view capable of receiving data describing a priority claim ; a seniority claim view capable of receiving data describing a seniority view.