Privacy policy

What websites does the privacy policy apply to?

The declaration applies to NIPOs websites and digital solutions:

(www.patentstyret.no, search.patentstyret.no, services.patentstyret.no, user.patentstyret.no, payment.patentstyret.no, account.patentstyret.no, statistics.patentstyret.no, tidende.patentstyret.no)

Why do we process personal data?

We process personal data pursuant to law to perform the following tasks:

• Handle applications, complaints and claims: We process applications and grant rights to patents, trademarks and designs in Norway.
• Answering questions and handling orders: We provide quick and good answers and deliver the services you have requested.
• Improve our services: We use feedback and technical information to improve our websites and self-service solutions.
• Recruit employees: We process applications and communicate with applicants to ensure a good recruitment process.

We also process your personal data for other tasks that fall within the scope of NIPO's operations.

• Administer courses and newsletters: We handle registrations and send relevant information to those who have registered.
• Drive marketing: We inform our target groups through relevant campaigns.

We may use technical tools with artificial intelligence where relevant.

What is the basis for the treatment?

NIPO is tasked with registering and publishing information about intellectual property rights. We must publish information about rights that have been applied for with us or through international organizations such as the EPO and WIPO.

As a general rule, you cannot object to this. The processing is based on laws such as:

• Norwegian Industrial Property Act
• Trademark Act
• Patent Act
• Design Act
• Public Administration Act
• Freedom of Information Act
• Archives Act
• Working Environment Act

In addition, we may process information if:

• You have given us consent.
• It is necessary to fulfill an agreement with you.
• We have a legitimate interest that outweighs your privacy concerns.

Who do we share information with?

We only share information when necessary and lawful. This may include:

• Public authorities: If required by law, we may be obliged to disclose information to public authorities.
• Data Processors: We use external vendors to deliver our services, such as HubSpot for newsletters and courses, and Webcruiter for job postings. These vendors are data processors and process information on our behalf in accordance with data processing agreements.
• International organizations and foreign IP offices: We only share what we are obligated to publish publicly.

How long do we store information?

We store information securely and confidentially, with access control and protection against misuse. The information is stored for as long as necessary to fulfill our tasks and legal requirements, such as the Archives Act.

Using our digital self-management solutions

Our digital solutions provide you with information about trademarks, patents and designs. You can

• order paid assignments
• submit applications
• get notified about cases
• pay fees
• get an overview of your applications and rights

The services are free, but for several of them you must have a user account.

Login

To apply for rights or follow up on a case, you must log in via ID-porten. For those of you who cannot use Altinn, you can create your own account with NIPO.

If you create an account with us, you can request to delete it at any time. If you log in with ID-porten or another third party, the guidelines of that provider apply. We store a local account linked to your email address so that you can use services such as saving searches and notifications.

Data processors and third parties

We use third-party solutions to display content on the websites. They collect information about visitor numbers and how users use the content. We use this information to improve our sites, identify and correct errors, and prevent misuse of the content on the sites.

For most of the services, NIPO will be the data controller, and for some services, we will have shared data controllership with a third party. Some of the third parties process personal data on their own behalf. In these cases, you will find terms and conditions in the third party's privacy statement.

• NIPO uses Google Analytics and HubSpot for web analysis and statistics about visits to the website.
• We use the cloud service Highcharts to visualize parts of the data on our pages.
• We use YouTube to publish videos.
• For our events, we use GoToWebinar for streaming.
• When you sign up for our newsletter, we ask for your email address. Hubspot is the data processor for the newsletter.
• Advertised positions are published and the application process takes place via Webcruiter.
• The Norwegian Industrial Property Office has profile pages on the social media LinkedIn, Facebookand Instagram. Here we publish useful content, news, upcoming events, etc. You will also find links to these profile pages on our websites. We do not share your personal information with social media via these links.
• When you sign up for our user panel, we ask for your email address so that we can contact you in connection with user testing of our services. It is voluntary if you wish to participate in user tests to which you receive an invitation and you can unsubscribe from the user panel at any time.
• When you register for one of our events, we store information such as email and phone number in order to send relevant information about the event (reminders, links and evaluation), as well as invitations to related events.
• When you sign up for our newsletter, we collect your email address in order to send you the requested newsletter. Consent must be given for the subscription, and this forms the legal basis for processing your email address. You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter.

Cookies

Your rights

• Right to access: You can request access to the personal information we have about you.
• Right to rectification: You can request to correct or delete information that is incorrect.You can change much of the information yourself via logged-in solutions.
• Right to withdraw consent: You can withdraw any consent you have given at any time.
• Right to complain: You can complain to the Norwegian Data Protection Authority if you believe that we are not handling your information correctly.

Much of the information can be found via logging in. To the extent you would like more information, please request a change.

Request modification or deletion of personal data from NIPO's data protection officer sikker@patentstyret.no.

You can complain about our processing of personal data

We hope you will tell us if you think we are not complying with the rules of the Personal Data Act.
You can also complain about our processing of personal data directly to the Norwegian Data Protection Authority.