Method and apparatus for internet transaction processing

The method of processing transaction data relating to trade marks via a system of computer entities, said method comprising the steps of:

• displaying country data describing at least one country in which a trade mark application may be filed;
• displaying classification data describing a list of goods and services classified into a plurality of different categories;
• displaying price data relating to at least one transaction price for performing a service in relation to a said trade mark;
• selectively inputting individual items of said classification data at a user interface of a said computer entity;
• inputting trade mark data describing a trade mark, at a user interface of a said computer entity;
• inputting applicant data specifying an applicant of a said trade mark at a user interface of a said computer entity;
• entering financial data describing an account number of a customer at a user interface of a said computer entity;
• generating a confirmation message confirming said mark data, classification data, applicant data, and price data;
• sending said confirmation message between individual said computer entities

A computer entity configured for generating a trade mark application order form display, and configured for receiving customer instruction data input, said customer instruction data relating to the filing of a trade mark application, said computer entity comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one communications means;
• memory storage means storing at least one database, a countries database, storing a country data describing a list of countries;
• a goods/services database containing a list of goods and services arranged according to at least one classification system;
• a cost database comprising a list of costs associated with filing a registered trade mark application in each of a plurality of said countries.

A client terminal computer entity capable of receiving a customer instruction data instructing filing of a registered trade mark application, said client terminal computer entity comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one data processor,
• at least one communication means;
• a memory means
• at least one database;
• and
• a transaction processor means;
• wherein said client terminal computer entity is configured to receive a customer instruction data message comprising:
• data describing a country in which a trade mark application is to be filed;
• data describing a list of goods and services classified into a plurality of different classification categories;
• and
• data describing a trade mark.

A computer entity configured for displaying a trade mark application order form display, and configured for receiving customer instruction data input at a remote location, said customer instruction data relating to the filing of a trade mark application, said computer entity comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one communications means;
• memory storage means storing at least one database, a countries database, storing a country data describing a list of countries;
• a goods/services database containing a list of goods and services arranged according to at least one classification system;
• a cost database comprising a list of costs associated with filing a registered trade mark application in each of a plurality of said countries;
• a web server configured to display a said order form web page;
• wherein said web server operates to:
• display country data comprising a list of a plurality of individual countries;
• display cost data describing a cost of filing a registered trade mark application in at least one of said countries;
• display list of goods and services arranged according to a plurality of classes according to a classification system;
• input data describing at least one said country;
• input data describing a list of goods/services according to said displayed goods/services;
• input data describing a trade mark;
• compile said country data, goods/services data, and mark data into a data file;
• and
• transmit said data file via said communications means.

A client terminal computer entity capable of receiving a customer instruction data instructing filing of a registered trade mark application, said client terminal computer entity comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one data processor;
• at least one communication means;
• a memory means
• at least one database;
• a transaction processor means;
• wherein said client terminal computer entity is configured to;
• receive a customer instruction data message comprising:
• data describing a country in which a trade mark application is to be filed;
• data describing a list of goods and services classified into a plurality of different classification categories;
• data describing a trade mark;
• data describing an applicant for said registered trade mark application;
• data describing financial details of a customer including account number data and customer name data;
• wherein
• said client terminal computer entity operates to store said trade mark data and applicant data in an internet database;
• send said finance data via said communication means to a third party computer entity;
• receive a finance confirmation signal confirming that a customers financial details are valid for a specified cost amount;
• if said valid customer finance details are received, generating a trade mark application instruction data for instruction of filing a registered trade mark application at a trade mark office.

An internet based service system comprising:

• a host server computer apparatus;
• and
• communication means, said communication means being configurable to allow communication between said host server computer apparatus and a plurality of logical entities, whereby in use said service system allows a user to file a plurality of trade mark applications at a plurality of international offices and/or said service system provides said user with the facility to conduct a trade mark search,
• wherein said service system further comprises:
• a suitable user interface,
• said filing of said trade mark application being undertaken by a sub contractor.

An internet based service system configurable to allow a user to provide instruction for the filing of a plurality of trade mark applications at a plurality of international offices, whereby said service system is further configured to process data relating to:

• a mark;
• goods/services;
• a priority date;
• a country;
• an international treaty;
• cost;
• applicant name;
• applicant address;
• customer name;
• customer address;
• credit card number;
• expiry date;
• and
• type of card.

A method of instructing the filing of trade mark applications using an internet based service system, said service system comprising a host server computer apparatus, communication means and a suitable user interface, said method of filing of said trade mark application comprising the steps of:

• receive transaction data;
• transaction data to recover mark data, applicant data and, finance data;
• view data on display;
• store mark data and applicant data or;
• forward finance data to finance server and/or;
• check confirmation signal from finance server;
• forward mark data to search engine;
• receive search results and check;
• forward mark data and, applicant data to government office or agent server;
• receive confirmation of order from government office server or agent server;
• generate secondary confirmation signal to customer.

A method of instructing the filing of trade mark applications using an internet based service system, said service system comprising a host server computer apparatus, communication means and a suitable user interface, said method of filing of said trade mark application comprising the steps of:

• input mark;
• specifying country or body;
• said body being an international treaty;
• where a country or CTM are specified, said user selects filing or filing and registration;
• whereby said user selects Madrid at specify country or body step, said user thereby selects countries;
• said service system, via said user interface, prompts said user to specify goods/services at choose goods and services step;
• whereby there is provided on said user interface means to enter additional words for each class;
• said user may then specify another class in addition to previous selections at stop choose goods/services;
• where no more classes are required by said user, said user must confirm order at confirm order step or alternatively proceed to edit previous selections;
• where order is confirmed, said user is the recipient of an email, said email thereby confirming said order, at email confirm order step;
• whereby on receipt of said email said users account is debited at debit account step;
• where method of payment by said user is via direct debit by other payment means a sub contractor will proceed to file said application;
• said sub contractor thereby emailing details of application.

An internet-based service system comprising a host server computer apparatus, communication means and a suitable user interface whereby said service system allows a user to file a trade mark application;

• whereby said user interface is configured with a plurality of menus said menus displaying country data whereby said user selects said country from said menu, said country being the country in which a trade mark application will be filed;
• said user interface further providing said user with the facility to indicate whether said trade mark application will be filed under an international treaty;
• said international treaty being a protocol relating to the Madrid agreement concerning the international registration of marks;
• said international treaty further being community trademark regulation.

An internet-based service system comprising a host server computer apparatus, communication means, and a suitable user interface whereby said service system allows a user to file a trade mark application;

• whereby said user interface allows said user to either:
• file said trade mark application only or,
• file said trade mark application together with payment of registration fees and/or;
• instruct a search of suitable trade mark databases.

An internet-based service system comprising a host server computer apparatus, communication means and, a suitable user interface whereby said service system allows a user to instruct the filing of a trade mark application whereby said user interface allows said user to specify the goods/services where said goods/services form a constituent of said trade mark application;

• whereby said user specifies said goods/services from a dropdown menu;
• or
• whereby said user specifies goods/services using a check box;
• said user interface further comprising the facility by which said user may enter data, said data further describing the classification of goods/services.

An internet-based service system comprising a host server computer apparatus, communication means and a suitable user interface whereby said service system allows a user to file a trade mark application;

• whereby said user interface is configured to provide a user with the facility to enter data relating to a priority claim;
• said data of priority claim comprising:
• trade mark;
• filing date;
• application number;
• specification of goods/services;
• said data of said priority claim being entered by said user via a plurality of suitable menus and/or a facility whereby said user may input data.

An internet-based service system comprising a host server computer apparatus, communications means and a suitable user interface whereby said service system allows a user to file a trade mark application;

• whereby said user interface provides a user with the facility to specify details of an applicant;
• said details of said applicant comprising:
• name;
• postal address;
• country;
• postcode;
• email address;
• telephone number;
• fax number;
• said details of said applicant being entered by said user using a plurality of suitable menus and/or;
• via a suitable data entry means;
• said user interface being further configured to allow said user to indicate whether said applicant is resident in an EC or non-EC country.

An internet-based service system comprising a cost server computer apparatus, communication means and a suitable user interface whereby said service system allows a user to file a trade mark application;

• whereby said user interface provides said user with the facility to enter payment details;
• said payment details comprising:
• credit card number,
• card type;
• expiry date;
• issue number;
• name of cardholder;
• said payment details for said trade mark application by said user being entered via said user interface using a plurality of a suitable menu and/or data entry means;
• said user interface being further configured to indicate whether said payment of said trade mark application is by way of credit card transaction or check.

An internet-based service system comprising a host server computer apparatus, communication means, and a suitable user interface whereby said service system allows a user to file a trade mark application;

• whereby said service system processes transaction data relating to said filing of said trade mark application;
• said service system thereby outputting, via said user interface, substantially all of said application details;
• said user thereby being given the option of reviewing said application details so as to either confirm said details of said application or edit said details of said application;
• said application details selected from the set:
• trade mark;
• country or treaty;
• Madrid countries;
• priority marks;
• filing date of priority mark;
• application number of priority mark;
• specification of goods/services of priority mark;
• specification of goods/services;
• filing;
• filing and registration;
• search;
• applicant name;
• applicant address;
• applicant postcode;
• applicant email address;
• applicant telephone number;
• applicant fax number;
• applicant card number;
• applicant card type;
• applicant card expiry date;
• applicant card issue number;
• name of cardholder;
• payment details;
• total cost of said application.