National reform programme 2008-2010 Malta - European Commission

5.5 Carry out a review of the enforcement regime(s) : which will contribute to identify
options to streamline enforcement, ensure synergies and better value-for-money,
introduce more risk-based approaches and make certain that appropriate guidance is
given to citizens and businesses.
6.0 Intellectual Property
6.1 Carry out pre-diagnostic visits to local firms: To increase IP awareness amongst the
business community in order to SMEs are aware of any IP that they own with a view to
protecting this if not already registered. Also to assist SMEs to use IP that may benefit
their business such as by licensing rights or utlising patent information.
6.2 Carry out training events and workshops and an information campaign in relation to
Intellectual Property: with a view to increase knowledge of IP not only to SMEs but also
to students, researchers and the public in general.
6.3 Embark on a project for the digitisation of all national patent records thus offering a
complete database of all national patents: Ensure that all national records are entered
into a database so that searching on patent records is made easier and more
accessible to interested parties. Through cooperation with the EPO, this database will
also form part of a larger database of patents consisting of patent records from all over
the world.
6.4 On-line filing for patents as part of eGov services to the local citizens: Improve the
accessibility of IP services accessible to any member of the Maltese public who wishes
to apply for the registration of an IP right.
6.5 Customise and implement other patent software tools such as the on-line filing
(eOLF) module and the e-Phoenix module through continued technical assistance with
the EPO. Provide further enhancements to services in the patent area, through the
implementation of certain software tools in cooperation with the EPO.
6.6 On-line filing for trademarks as part of eGov services to the local citizens. Improve the
accessibility of IP services accessible to any member of the Maltese public who wishes
to apply for the registration of an IP right.
6.7 Implement a new trademark system which will facilitate processing of trademark
applications and searching on national trademarks by interested parties. Improve the
efficiency of the trademark by offering a better service to clients, not only with regards
to the duration of a trademark registration but also with regards to the information and
functionalities that will be available as a result of the new system.
6.8 Accession of Malta to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of
Trademarks which will facilitate application and registration of local trademarks in other
countries even those outside of the EU. This measure will offer Maltese citizens the
opportunity to apply for the registration of their trademark via one application, and using
one procedure, in a number of countries even outside the EU.
7.0 Services Directive
7.1 Implementation of the Services Directive by 2009.
8.0 Employment Rate
8.1 Preventive & Active Labour Market Policies: Provide a series of active and preventive
labour market measures such as training courses, traineeships, work exposure
schemes, employment advice, guidance, etc, with a view to decrease unemployment.
Malta National Reform Programme 2008-2010 - 85 -