Benelux IP office signs AI image search deal with Darts-ip
The Benelux Office for IP (BOIP) has signed a deal to license Belgian analytics company Darts-ip’s new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered trademark image recognition technology.
Announced last week, the deal sees Darts-ip’s Image Search tool integrated into the BOIP’s internal trademark examinations, as well as made available for use by the public on the BOIP website.
Users will be able to use the tool to search any trademark valid in the Benelux territory, including Benelux, international, and EU registrations.
The technology examines marks based on the “overall content and design” and is able to examine different elements of a mark, such as shape, colour, and the use of letters in order to pinpoint any similarity with other registered marks.
“The results filter is further enhanced through constant training, with the AI processing millions of cases assessing trademark similarity,” the release said.
Hugues Derème, deputy director general of the BOIP, said the Darts-ip deal marked a “decisive step forward in providing a more reliable, state-of-the-art and user-friendly trademark system”.
“Knowing how important logos and figurative elements are in the business world today, this is a major breakthrough,” Derème added.
Evrard Van Zuylen, managing director and AI lead at Darts-ip, said that “this type of licensing agreement of our image recognition technology is a first for Darts-ip and underlines the crucial role of AI-driven legal tech solutions in the world of IP”.
The integration of Darts-ip’s tech into the BOIP’s trademark register is set to be completed in November, “with users gaining access to the search functionality in the BOIP’s register immediately thereafter”.
The move is in line with an increased focus on AI-driven solutions from IP offices.
Last week, IP Australia launched what it called an “app store” for AI and machine learning tools.
The IP Global AI Network will allow third parties to host their AI and machine learning products on the platform.
IP Australia said it hoped that other IP offices would take up the service: “Presently multiple [IP] offices work independently to solve business problems leading to significant duplicated effort across the industry,” the office’s website states.
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