INTRODUCING VARIABLE SYMBOLS

Variable symbols consist of maximum 10 digits.

First digits of the variable symbol are as follows:

Examples:

Patent application: 1 + year (four digits) + serial number of application

Patent maintenance:

European patent maintenance:

Utility model application: 6 + year (four digits) + application number

Utility model renewal: 6 + registration number

Industrial design application: 7 + year (four digits) + serial number of application

Industrial design renewal:

Trademark application: 3 + serial number of application
(all payments including regarding the already registered trademarks are
indicated by variable symbols of application file numbers)

Application of designation of origin / Application of geographical indication:
8 + year (four digits) + serial number of application

International application filed in terms of PCT:
5 + year (four digits) + serial number of application

Topography of semiconductor application:
4 + year (four digits) + serial number of application

Supplementary protection certificates for medicaments and plant protection
products application: 9 + year (four digits) + serial number of application

Variable symbols for new applications without serial numbers consist of only the first digit aligned to the right. Other positions remain void.