On 16 November 2022, the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (“TIPO”) has announced that it will offer the trademark and patent applicants certificates in digital format starting from January 2023. The paperless process will reduce the cost of printing and mailing paper copies, which is an important step for TIPO to go green by conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions. Meanwhile, the process also makes it more convenient for right holders to  obtain and save their certificates.

According to the announcement, applicants will be able to choose either receiving their certificates in paper or electronic format from 1 January 2023. In the case of trademark, the option will arise upon payment of the application’s registration fee, and issue fee and first annuity in the case of patents.

If the applicant chose to receive an electronic certificate, they may still acquire a paper certificate on payment of a second fee later. However, it is not possible to proceed the other way around.

The electronic certificate will be issued in a downloadable PDF format (downloadable within 6 months after the applicant received TIPO’s notice of issuance of the certificate), along with a fraudproof design that require verification and digital signature as well as a QR code linking to the TIPO’s website and showing the most updated information of the trademark or patent.

See also:
Taiwan Trademark Registration Procedures and Fees