GB2364799A

GB2364799A - Cost calculator for on line trademark application

Info

Publication number: GB2364799A
Application number: GB0011515A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Benjamin Franks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-13
Filing date: 2000-05-13
Publication date: 2002-02-06
Also published as: GB0011515D0

Abstract

An internet based service system that allows a user to file a plurality of trade mark applications at a plurality of international or intergovernmental offices comprising cost calculator whereby the cumulative cost of at least one trade mark application is calculated by the cost calculator and the cumulative cost being displayed by the service system via a user interface.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> COST CALCULATOR FOR ON LINE TRANSACTION SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of electronic commerce systems and, a system and method for calculating the cost of electronic transactions concerning the filing and registration of trade mark applications.

Background to the Invention Historically, trade mark rights have been allocated according to local or national laws by a process of registering trade mark applications at governmental or intergovernmental bodies. Historically, transactions have been via a paper- based application process involving the filling of paper application forms which are then sent by surface mail or by facsimile to a governmental office by a trade mark agent or trade mark attorney. These traditional methods for filing and prosecution of trade mark applications have recently been updated, whereby electronic commerce systems now provide the facility of handling trade mark application transactions without the need for excessive communication between applicant and the trade mark agent. This reduced communication between applicant and trade mark agent effectively reduces both the time delay involved in filing the trade mark application and also reduces the cost of the application as the trade mark agent prosecuting the application spends less time dealing with the electronic transaction as compared to the more traditional system of paper application forms.

However, there are several disadvantages with both the more traditional method and the electronic method of filing trade mark applications. Firstly, it is a considerable time intensive process for an experienced trade mark attorney to assess the cost involved in filing a trade mark application. For example, this may include the reviewing of various tabulated price lists of various trade mark law firms, such that the client is the beneficiary of the lowest price available. Also;

consideration has to be given to the conversion of currency, where foreign agent costs are involved, such that the client is presented with an approximate cost estimate for the filing and possible registration of the trade mark application in a currency with which he is familiar. This reviewing and manipulation of foreign trade mark law firm's fees and intergovernmental official trade mark application fees, by qualified trade mark attorneys or paralegals, lead to both excessive delay in the filing of the application and elevated cost to the applicant. Additionally, if the applicant decides at some later stage, prior to the filing of the trade mark application, to change the details of the trade mark application in any way, the trade mark attorney or paralegal has to reassess the cost of the trade mark application and consequently the above issues of time delay and cost are inflated. Secondly, whilst electronic transaction systems capable of filing trade mark applications reduce both the time delay and costs involved, the applicant, whilst inputting data relating to the trade mark application, is totally unaware of the costs involved and, in particular, the cost associated with each decision made during the online order process. For example, if the user wishes to file a trade mark application under the Madrid Protocol system and instructs the designation of three contracting states, in which the trade mark application will be filed, the user is at present unaware of the cost implications relating to the designation of each contracting state. The user is only presented with the total cost of new trade mark application as an email confirmation at the end of the on-line order process. This failure to inform the user of the cumulative cost of his trade mark application may result in the user abandoning his trade mark application if, for example, the final cost of the trade mark application is large, or not what the user was expecting to pay.

Summary of the Invention The inventors have realised that lack of cost information at the point of sale is a deterrent to the filing of registered trade mark applications by electronic means. What is desirable by a customer, when instructing the filing and registration of trade mark applications using electronic commerce transaction systems is the facility to display the cumulative cost associated with each decision made during the online trade mark application procedure. The cost calculator used with an internet based service system for trade mark application transactions, described herein, has the advantage of calculating the cumulative cost of one or more trade mark applications as each decision is made with regard to the country in which the trade mark application will be filed, the goods/services to which the trade mark will be associated, any claim to priority, and if local taxes are appropriate and hence will be charged.

An internet based service system, having a cost calculator to calculate the cumulative cost of an applicant's trade mark application or applications, is therefore advantageous over current internet based service systems dedicated to the filing and registration of trade mark applications on-line, in that the user is fully aware of the cost implication of each decision made. Moreover, the cost calculator described herein has the further advantage of displaying each decision and its associated cost implication to the user via a user-friendly interface in real time. Displaying the cumulative cost of the trade mark application, broken down into its constituent amounts, provides the user with the facility to edit his decisions such that, for example, a decision made having large cost implications can be reversed and hence a customer can easily tailor her trademark application filing strategy to their budget.

Specific implementations of the invention comprise a tool useable in connection with an internet based service system for the filing of trade mark

applications online, whereby the tool calculates a cost and displays a cumulative cost of the trade mark application together with the details of the trade mark application. Specific embodiments of the invention seek to replace current internet based service systems useable by a person for the filing of trade mark applications. The embodiments also seek to inform the user of an online trade mark application system, of the cost implications at each stage of the trade mark application or applications, thus avoiding unnecessary confusion and ignorance of the costs involved. Specific implementations of the invention seek to give a user the facility to review the cost implications at each stage of the trade mark application or applications, allowing the user to make educated decisions concerning his application or applications with a view to making decisions that ultimately, when combined, result in a trade mark application that is affordable by the user. Further, specific embodiments of the invention seek to present the user with the option of displaying the total cost and cumulative cost of the trade mark application or applications in a variety of currencies, giving options for payment in a selection of different currencies. The invention also takes exchange rates into account when calculating the cost of a trade mark application or trade mark applications in a variety of currencies. Specific implementations according to the present invention seek to reduce both the cost of international trade mark applications, and the time taken from the user's decision to file a trade mark application and the actual filing of the application.

Other aspects of the invention are as described in 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 an overview of a service system for serving a plurality of customers for the purpose of filing registered trade mark applications; Fig. 2 illustrates schematically individual machine components comprising the service system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a view of the on-line application procedure from the initial input of the mark by the user to the filing of the application; Fig. 4 illustrates schematically logical components of a computer hosting the service system; Fig. 5 illustrates schematically a mode of operation of the cost calculation process; Fig. 6 illustrates schematically the cost implications of the online trade mark application procedure; Fig. 7 illustrates schematically an order form page display at the server platform, viewable by a user using a web browser; Fig. 8 illustrates schematically a view of the cumulative cost indicator at the trade mark data entry section of the order form;

Fig. 9 illustrates schematically a view of the cumulative cost indicator at the country or treaty data entry section of the order form; Fig. 10 illustrates schematically a view of the cumulative cost indicator at the Madrid Protocol data entry section of the order form display; Fig. 11 illustrates schematically a view of the cumulative cost indicator at the instructions data entry section of the order form display; Fig. 12 illustrates schematically the cumulative cost indicator at the priority claim data entry section of the order form display; Fig. 13 illustrates schematically the cumulative cost indicator at the personal details data entry section of the order form display; Fig. 14 illustrates schematically the cumulative cost indicator at the method of payment data entry section of the order form display; Fig. 15 illustrates schematically a view of the cumulative cost indicator, the confirmation of order section of the order form display.

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.

In this specification, the term 'personal computer' refers to any device having data processing capability, capability to communicate with other computer entities, and the user interface having a visual display, and includes computers which comply with standard PC format, Macintosh', Psion palmtop devices, laptop computers and mobile phones operating under the known wireless access protocol (WAP).

Referring to Fig. 1 herein, there is illustrated schematically a system of cooperating computer entities for providing automated filing of registered trade mark applications at a plurality of governmental/intergovernmental trade mark offices or international offices from a plurality of remote locations whereby a cumulative and total cost of one or a plurality of trademark applications is displayed to the user of the computer entities. The system comprises a host server computer apparatus 100, for example residing at an internet service provider body 101; a client terminal computer apparatus 102 in communication with the host server 100 via a dedicated line, for example an ISDN line, or via a virtual private network (VPN), or via the internet; a plurality of subcontractor terminals 103, 104, communicating with the client terminal 102 and/or the host server 100 via the internet, via one or more VPNs or via one or more ISDN lines; the client terminal 102 and each subcontractor terminal 103, 104 communicating via the internet, via one or more VPNs, or via one or more ISDN lines with a plurality of governmental/intergovernmental terminals or international office terminals 105- 107; one or more finance company servers 108 communicating with one or more client terminals 102, one or more subcontractor terminals 104 and/or one or more government office servers 107 via the intemet, a VPN or one or more ISDN lines; and a plurality of customer terminals 108, 109, each capable of communicating

with the host server 100 via the internet, a VPN, or one or more ISDN lines: and search agent 110 which may also be accessed via the internet, a VPN or similar. It will be understood in the general sense that each of a plurality of logical entities of a customer terminal, host server, internet service provider, client terminal, subcontractor terminal, govemment/intergovernmental office or international office server or finance company server may be interconnected with each other through any suitable communication medium, including the internet, a virtual private network, one or more land lines, for example ISDN lines, or through wireless links. In overview, operation of the system is as follows. A plurality of individual customers for trade mark registration have customer terminals 108, 109. In the best mode, customer terminals are conventional personal computers or the like, having a web browser and having access to the internet. Customers find the host server 100 using a direct connection or via a known search engine, e.g. Yahoo', Alta Vista, Lycos , Web Tope or the like. The host server 100 presents an interactive web site display to each customer terminal 108, 109 simultaneously and in parallel which is accessed by means of a web browser located at each customer terminal. Through the web site customers can make data entries at the customer terminals of information required for filing a registered trade.mark application as is described hereafter. The information is collected and processed as digital data by the host server. The host server is configured to distinguish between digital data having cost implications to the trade mark application and digital data without cost implication. The host server by means described herein after displays the cumulative cost of the trade mark application which is viewed in real time by the customer, via the web browser. The host server upon receipt of a 'proceed' signal from a customer terminal sends a confirmation message back

to the customer terminal that a trade mark application has been to be applied to register.

The host server 100 forwards details of the application and the instruction to a client terminal 102 which may reside at a remote location from the host server. The client terminal 102 processes the relevant trade mark application data and forwards trade mark application instruction data to one or a plurality of subcontractor terminals 103 and/or one of a plurality of government/intergovernmental office servers or international office servers 105- 107 for implementing the filing of a trade mark application, and to finance server 108 for collection of payment.

The client terminal 102 may also send trade mark application instruction data to one of the subcontractor terminals 103 which may then forward it to a government or international office server 105-107.

In a second implementation, cost data is transferred and processed electronically at the customer terminal, the host server 100, the client terminal 102, each subcontractor terminal 104, and each government office or intergovernmental office server 105-107, as well as at the finance company server 108. In the best mode implementation, data may be passed automatically between individual computer terminal and server entities in the system, without the need for human user interaction.

Referring to Fig. 2 herein, there is illustrated schematically individual hardware components comprising client terminal 102 and host server 100, connected by an internet communications link being one of the alternatives for communication between client terminal 102 and host server 100.

Client terminal 102 may comprise a conventional personal computer having a user interface, a keyboard, a modem and internet communications capability. The client terminal 102 comprises a user interface having a visual display unit, keyboard and pointing device to enable monitoring of trade mark applications by an operator, who is preferably a qualified trade mark attorney or qualified trade mark agent. Similarly, the host server 100 may comprise a conventional computer, having sufficient data processing capability to host a plurality of website displays and processing capability to calculate the cost of a trade mark application simultaneously, a modem for connecting the server to the internet for communication with the client terminal 102 and a plurality of said customer terminals, the host server having a user interface for monitoring by an operator comprising a visual display unit, keyboard and pointing device. Referring to Fig. 3 herein, there is illustrated schematically a flow diagram which details a possible online application procedure comprising data entry by a user via a personal computer. A user inputs the mark at input mark 301 via a suitable user interface, this user interface also displaying the cumulative cost of the trade mark application, the cumulative cost of the trade mark application being calculated by the host server computer. The user specifies a country at stage 302, this country being the country in which the trade mark application will be filed. Alternatively, the user may select a body under which the trade mark application will be filed, a body being a regional trade mark system such as a community trade mark system or a Madrid trade mark system. On selecting a country or regional trade mark system the user interface displays the cumulative cost of the trade mark application, together with the country or body specified. A user may select country 303, a community trade mark application 304 or Madrid Protocol trade mark application 305. If the user selects filing of a trade mark

application under the Madrid Protocol regional trade mark system, the user must then select a country or countries at stage 306, these countries acceding to the Madrid Protocol. At stage 306 the user interface displays the cumulative cost of the trade mark application with details of the country selected under the Madrid Protocol. Irrespective of the country or body specified at stage 302, the user then gives instructions for the filing of the trade mark application at stage 307 and/or the user instructs the filing and intended to pay the registration fee at stage 308, stages 307 and 308 having different cost implications and as such the user interface displays the cumulative cost, together with the user's requirements, be this filing or filing and registration, of the trade mark application. The user interface, in addition to displaying the cost implications and details of stages 307 and 308, also displays the details of the costs implication associated with any previous stage. At stage 309, the user chooses the goods/services to be associated with the mark input at stage 301. No costs are incurred for the first designation of the class of goods/services and as such the cumulative cost displayed by the user interface is unchanged from stages 307 or 308. Classes of goods/services included in the trade mark application over one, incur a fixed fee, this fixed fee being added by the cost calculator to the cumulative cost of the trade mark application, whereby the cumulative cost of the trade mark application is displayed by the user interface for review by the user. The user may select any combination of classes of goods/services to a maximum of 42. The, user interface, at stage 309, displays the cumulative cost, a cost of each designation of goods/services to be included in the application, and any previous decisions or choices made by the user having costs implications. The user may choose to add additional words at stage 310 to the goods/services selected in stage 309. Additional words specified by the user have no cost implication and as such do not affect the cumulative cost of the trade mark application. When the user is satisfied with the specification of goods/services to be associated with the mark, he then proceeds to stage 311 at which stage the user can enter details of any

claim to priority, a claim to priority incurs a fixed cost. If the user wishes to include a claim to priority in the trade mark application the cost associated with the claim to priority is displayed by the user interface whereby the cost calculator calculates the cumulative cost as per the previous stages. On proceeding to stage 312 the user is given the option of conducting a search to establish identical and/or similar marks to the mark currently being filed by the user, this search involving the trade mark search of a relevant trade mark database, or databases. The decision to conduct a trade mark search of a suitable trade mark database or databases incurs a fixed fee, this fee is then added to the cumulative cost of the trade mark application and is displayed by the user interface, and is viewable at the user's terminal. On proceeding to stage 313 the user then confirms the details of the trade mark application in view of the user's requirements and financial constraints. At stage 313 the user may edit the choices made and hence the cost of the application, or may proceed to confirm the order. On confirming the order, the host server transmits a electronic filing receipt at stage 314 such an electronic filing receipt may comprise an email. The subcontractor 103, 104 then proceeds to debit the account of the user at stage 315 by way of the use's account details as disclosed previously in the on-line application procedure. The subcontractor 103, 104 then proceeds to file the application at the respective country or body designated by the user at stage 316. At stage 317 the subcontractor 103 and 104 transmits an electronic filing receipt to the user, this electronic filing receipt being, for example, an email. Referring to Fig. 4 herein, there is illustrated schematically components of the host computer 200. The host computer 200 operates as a service system to receive trade mark applications via communication means, these communication means being described herein with reference to Fig. 1, from a client terminal 201. The host computer 200 comprises, amongst other things, a user interface 401 and a cost calculator 402. The cost calculator 402 operates to calculate the cost

of the trade mark application or applications, providing the user, via the client terminal, with the cumulative cost of the trade mark application. The cost calculator 402 processes electronic data received by the host computer 200, and is configured to supply the user with a cumulative cost value of the trade mark application, through the utilization of the host computer 200, a plurality of software 403, a library 404 or a plurality of libraries, a memory facility 405 and a processor 406. The software 403, library 404, memory 405 and processor 406 forming substantially a large part of the host computer 200. Electronic data received by the host computer via the user interface, and having been processed by the cost calculator, is then communicated to the client terminal as the cumulative cost or total cost of the trade mark application, this communication being via the user interface 401. Referring to Fig. 5 herein, the cost calculator when in operation receives electronic data as input data. During the online application procedure, wherein the user completes an order form, the service system, via the user interface prompts the user for data input, and for a decision to be made when presenting the user with various options. Such options presented by the user interface to the user include, by way of example, include the specification of a country or regional trade mark application system, the instruction of filing, or filing and registration, choosing of the specification of goods/services, the option to claim priority, and the option to conduct a trade mark search, such options require the user to make a decision of action 501, the decision of action 501 being made by the user via the client terminal, the communication means, the host computer and the user interface, whereby it is received by the service system and hence the cost calculator as data, in particular electronic data, such that the electronic data is processed by the cost calculator at stage 502. The cost calculator assesses the decision of action by way of the electronic data as having cost implications at stage 503. If the decision of action and hence the electronic data has no cost

implications the data is processed at stage 504, such processing of the data including its storage in a memory facility, being processed by a processor or utilized by a plurality of software, whereby the electronic data is output as the cumulative cost, or total cost of the trade mark application. The cumulative cost or total cost of the trade mark application is displayed via the user interface of the user's terminal. If the electronic data received by the cost calculator has cost implications, the cost calculator retrieves the cost of the decision of action at stage 506 from a suitable library 507 or a plurality of libraries, a library or libraries being a storage facility for large amounts of data relating to the cost of, for example, specifying a country or regional trade mark system forming part of a trade mark application, specifying countries party to the Madrid Protocol Regional System, indicating filing or filing and registration, selecting the goods/services for which the mark will be associated, indicating a claim to priority and conducting a search. The cost calculator thereby reads the current or cumulative cost of a trade mark application at stage 508 then proceeds to add the relative cost of the current decision to the cumulative cost at stage 509. The electronic data is then processed at stage 510 and output at stag 511 as in stages 504 and 505 respectively. Where the trade mark application is incomplete and more data input is required, the process of calculating the cumulative cost of the trade mark application is continued and repeated at stage 512 whereby the user is requested to make additional decisions of action 501. Referring to Fig. 6 herein, there is illustrated schematically a flow diagram of decisions of action 501 having cost implications. The order form presented to the user via the user interface requires that the user inputs the mark at stage 301 using the customer terminal. The input of the mark at stage 301 has no cost

implications 602, and as such the cumulative cost of the trade mark application is unaltered at this stage. The user then specifies a country or body at stage 302, whereby cost is incurred on the selecting of a country or body. The cost implications associated with the selection or specification of a country or body is processed by the cost calculator such that the cumulative cost of the trade mark application is output and displayed by the user interface at stage 603. Additionally, the decision of action made at stage 302 is also displayed at stage 603, such details being located substantially close to the display of the cumulative cost. If, for example, the user selects the Madrid Protocol regional trade mark system, the user is now required to select countries at stage 306. The selection of each country at stage 306 has cost implications, the user is made aware of these cost implications through the display of the cumulative cost and selection details at stage 604. Further decisions of action 501 having cost implications include the instructions of filing 307 and the instruction of filing and intention to pay registration fees 308. Both the filing 307 and filing with the payment of the registration fee have cost implications and, as such, when the user indicates his decision of action via the customer terminal and user interface, the cumulative cost of the trade mark application is displayed at 605 and 606 respectively. A requirement of the trade mark application procedure is the specification of the goods/services. The first class of goods/services selected by the user at stage 309 has no cost implications and as such the cumulative cost is unchanged. However, selecting a class of goods/services above one up to a maximum of 42 has a fixed fee and is reflected in the cumulative cost of the application which increases by a predetermined amount with the continued selection of additional classes of goods/services. If the user requires a trade mark search at stage 312 he indicates his decision of action through the transmittal of the appropriate electronic data, this electronic data having cost implications whereby the cost calculator processes the electronic data such that the cumulative cost of the trade mark application is increased by a predetermined

amount. On confirmation of the order or application details, the user interface displays the complete application details 610, together with the total cost of the trade mark application at stage 609. Referring to Fig. 7 herein, there is illustrated schematically an example of an order form which is viewable by a web browser and displayed on a customer terminal user interface, the order form comprises a display for the cumulative cost indicator. The cumulative cost indicator thereby indicating the cumulative cost of the trade mark application during the completion of the order form. Whereby in use, the order form comprises a plurality of separate pages, each page being configured to display the cumulative cost indicator and hence the cumulative cost of the trade mark application at each stage of the order form completion process. The cumulative cost indicator being also configured to display the details of any decisions made, these decisions have cost implications. The cumulative cost indicator being further configured to allow the user the facility to remove any decisions forming part of the trade mark application, thereby reducing the cost of the application as displayed by the cumulative cost indicator. Alternatively, or in addition to, the cumulative cost and total cost of the trade mark application may be changed at substantially the end of the completing of the order form by way of editing previous decisions made with regard to, for example, the country in which the trade mark application will be filed, the number of classes of goods/services included in the application, any claim to priority, or the request for a search. Referring to Fig. 8 herein, there is illustrated schematically a page of the order form 601 whereby this page 800 provides the user with the facility to enter details of the trade mark. Typically, for a word, this may include a word in a conventional typeface and may include a variety of characters, these characters being a mixture of capitals, lower case, hyphens, backslashes, symbols etc. The trade mark input page 800 is also configured to display the cumulative cost

indicator. The cumulative cost indicator thereby indicating the cumulative cost of the trade mark application. At stage 800 the cumulative cost indicator is set at zero as no decisions of action 501 has been made and hence no cost has been incurred by the user.

Referring to Fig. 9 herein, there is illustrated schematically a page of the order form 900 in which the user specifies a country or body at stage 302. The selection of a country or body (regional trade mark system) is by way of a menu, a dropdown menu, selecting an icon, pressing a box, ticking a box, checking a box, or typing in characters via the order form viewed on the user interface. Page 900 is further configured to display the cumulative cost indicator as displayed on page 800 of the order form, such that the cumulative cost indicator displays the cumulative cost of the trade mark application.

Referring to Fig. 10 herein, there is illustrated schematically a Madrid protocol country selection page 1000 comprising, for example, a plurality of selection boxes, one per country within the Madrid system. A user designates the countries which are to be included in the trade mark application filed under the Madrid protocol system. The designation of the countries being made by way of a menu, a drop down menu, selecting an icon, pressing a box, clicking a box, checking a box and/or the typing in of characters. Page 1000 is further configured to display the cumulative cost indicator which by way of example displays a previous selection or decision made for the filing of a trade mark application under the Madrid protocol system. This decision of action 501 having cost implications corresponding to À. A user may select a plurality of countries under the Madrid system whereby each country selected appears on the cumulative cost indicator together with the respective cost.

Referring to Fig. 11 herein, there is illustrated schematically page 1100 of the order form whereby the user instructs the filing of the trade mark application only, or instructs the filing and payment of the registration fee. Page 1100 of the order form is further configured to display the cumulative cost indicator such that, at this stage, the cumulative cost indicator displays by way of example only, and is not limited to, the decision to file a trade mark application under the Madrid protocol system designating Austria and Cuba whereby the cumulative cost of the trade mark application so far is À + B + C. Referring to Fig. 12 herein, there is illustrated schematically a priority claim request page 1200 comprising a plurality of menus, or dropdown menus, or data entry means, whereby data is entered via the customer terminal by way of characters, symbols, hyphens, backslashes, numbers etc. The data entered via the customer terminal relating to the priority claim include such data as the country in which the priority trade mark application was filed, the exact nature of the priority trade mark application, the filing date of the priority trade mark application, the application number of the priority trade mark application, and the specification of the goods/services of the priority trade mark application. The priority claim page 1200 is further configured to display the cumulative cost indicator, which displays the cumulative cost of the trade mark application. Fig. 15 displays by way of example, and is by no means limited to a cumulative cost indicator displaying the filing of a Madrid trade mark application designating Austria and Cuba whereby the user has selected the filing and intends to pay the registration fee giving a total cumulative cost for the trade mark application of À +B+C+D. Referring to Fig. 13 herein, there is illustrated schematically page 1300 of the order form whereby page 1300 is configured to allow the user with the facility to enter personal details of the applicant of the trade mark application. The

personal details of the applicant of the trade mark application including the name of the applicant, the postal address of the applicant, the country of residence of the applicant, the postcode of the postal address of the applicant, the email address of the applicant, the telephone number of the applicant, and the fax number of the applicant. At this stage of the completing of the order form, the user has made various selections by way of decisions of action 501 such that the order form page 1300 displays the cumulative cost indicator, this cumulative cost indicator displaying the decisions of action 501 made to date, together with the cumulative cost of the trade mark application. For example only, the cumulative cost indicator displays that the user has intended to claim priority from an earlier trade mark application, such a claim to priority incurring a cost of È, this cost being added to the cumulative cost of the trade mark application which is currently by way of example À + B + C + D + E. The cost calculator is configured such that on page 1300 the user indicates whether the applicant of the trade mark application is resident in an EC or non-EC country, whereby the addition of local taxes to the cost of the trade mark application is applicable or not applicable, respectively. The cumulative cost indicator is displayed on page 1300 such that the user is aware of all decisions of action 501 being made previously, together with the cumulative cost of the trade mark application. Referring to Fig. 14 herein, there is illustrated schematically page 1400 of the order form whereby the user inputs the payment details for the trade mark application. The details of the method of payment being made by suitable data entry means, this data entry means being by way of, for example, a box on the user interface available for the input of characters, symbols, hyphens, backslashes, numbers etc. Alternatively, or in addition to, the method of payment may be disclosed by the user by way of a menu, dropdown menu, selecting an icon, pressing a box, clicking a box or checking a box.

Referring to Fig. 15 herein, there is illustrated schematically a confirmation of order page 1500 of the order form page 150 displaying the entire trade mark application details provided by the user through the completion of the on-line order form. These details including the trade mark application details, the applicant details, the details of priority claimed and the payment details. These details thereby allowing the user to review decisions of action made during the completion of the on line order form. At this substantially final stage of the completing of the order form, the cumulative cost indicator details the total cost 609 of the trade mark application. At this stage the user is given the option of requesting a trade mark search such a search having cost implications 608, this cost being added to the cumulative cost of the trade mark application. The cumulative cost indicator is configured such that the user has the option of confirming the order details of the trade mark application or alternatively the user is able to edit the order details. Upon editing the order details, the cumulative cost indicator, by way of the cost calculator, adjusts the cumulative cost or total cost of the trade mark application.

The cost calculator is configurable to process, assess, retrieve, read, add and output data as the cost of the trade mark application in a variety of currencies, these currencies being Sterling, $ US, and Euros. The user is given the option of selecting a currency with which he is familiar and therefore a currency in which the cost calculator processes the data, and displays data via the cumulative cost indicator.

Claims

Claims: 1. An internet based service system configurable to allow a user to file a plurality of trade mark applications at a plurality of international offices comprising: cost calculation means whereby the cumulative cost of at least one said trade mark application is calculated by said cost calculation means; said cumulative cost being displayed by said service system via a user interface.
2. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cost calculation means comprises: a memory facility; a processor; not less than one library; and a plurality of software.
3. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cost calculation means are configurable for use as an integral part of said user interface.
4. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cost calculation means are configurable whereby in use said cost calculation means function independently of said user interface.

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5. An internet based services system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cumulative cost at each stage of said cost calculation is displayed by said service system, via said used interface, said user interface being further configured to display details of decisions of action.
6. A method of cost calculation of filing at least one trade mark application using an internet based service system, said method of cost calculation of said filing of said trade mark application comprising the steps of: indicating a decision of action; processing data of said decision of action; assessing said decision of action; retrieving the cost of said decision of action from not less than one library; reading a cumulative cost; adding said cost of said decision of action to said cumulative cost; processing additional decisions of action and repeating cost calculation process; and processing data and outputting a total cost of said trade mark application.
7. A method of cost calculation of the filing of at least one trade mark application as claimed in claim 6 wherein said decision of action comprises:

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specifying a country or body; selecting a country or a plurality of countries under the Madrid Protocol; selecting filing of said trade mark application; selecting filing and registration of said trade mark application; specifying the goods/services; and providing details of any claim to priority.
8. A method of cost calculation of the filing of at least one trade mark application as claimed in claim 6, whereby a user, via a suitable user interface, indicates said decision of action by way of: selecting a suitable icon; pressing a box; ticking a box; checking a box; selecting an option from a suitable menu; and entering data via suitable data entry means.

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9. An internet based service system configurable to allow a user to file a plurality of trade mark applications at a plurality of international offices comprising: cost calculation means whereby the cumulative cost of at least one said trade mark application is calculated by said cost calculation means; said cumulative cost being displayed by said service system via a user interface; said user interface comprising an order form.
10. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said order form is configurable to allow said user to input trade mark details of said trade mark application, said trade mark details being entered using suitable data entry means; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of cumulative cost.
11. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9 wherein, said order form is configurable to allow said user to specify a country in which said trade mark application will be filed;

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said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.
12. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9 wherein, said order form is configurable to allow said user to indicate a body in which said trade mark application will be filed; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said accumulative cost.
13. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said order form is configurable to allow said user to designate not less than one country, said designation of said country being made by said user via suitable designation means; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.

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14. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said user instructs the filing of said trade mark application; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.
15. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said user instructs the filing and payment of the registration fee of said trade mark application; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.
16. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said order form is configurable to allow said user to enter details of a priority claim, said details of said priority claim comprising: a country; a trade mark;

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a filing date; an application number; and the specification of the goods/services; said user thereby entering said details of said priority claim via suitable data entry means; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.
17. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said order form is configurable to allow said user to enter personal details of the applicant of said trade mark application; said personal details of said applicant comprising: the name of said applicant; the postal address of said applicant; the country of residence of said applicant; the postcode of said postal address;

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the email address of said applicant; the telephone number of said applicant; and the fax number of said applicant; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.
18. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said order form is configurable to allow said user to review details of said trade mark application; said details of said trade mark application comprising: the trade mark details; the applicant details; the details of a priority claim; and the payment details; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means;

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said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.
19. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said service system, via said order form, allows said user to conduct a trade mark search; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.
20. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said service system, via said order form, allows said user to select a currency; said cost calculator being configurable to process, access, retrieve, read, add and output data; said data being the cost of said trade mark application; said cost being displayed in said currency; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative costs.

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21. An internet based service system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said service system, via said order form, allows said user to indicate the residency of the applicant of said trade mark application; said cost calculation means being configurable to add local taxes to said cumulative cost of said trade mark application; said order form being further configurable to display said cumulative cost of said trade mark application, said cumulative cost being calculated by said cost calculation means; said order form being further configurable to display details of said cumulative cost.