"[...] In October 2005, the Management Committee of the Office decided that a more efficient design of workflows in IP core activities could be reached by introducing gradual changes in its workflows in order to reduce the number of examiners that had to intervene in a particular file, following the guiding 'one file, one examiner' principle. It was concluded that such new workflow would result in an overall increase in efficiency - just one examiner needs to become acquainted with each file - and the fact that the examiners have an overview of a file practically from the beginning to the end should be beneficial both for the Office staff and for the users of the Community Trade mark system. It was also concluded that such changes would require an adequate organisational structure.
As already published in OHIM website on the 22nd May 2006, the Management Committee took several decisions in April 2006 as regards the reorganisation process in the Core Business Departments, in particular, the creation of two new Core Business Departments, 'Trade Mark & Cancellation Department' and 'Trade Mark & Registry Department' [...].
In addition to their core trade mark competences, it was decided that the TMRD would deal with the trade mark and design registry and related databases as well as Euronice, whereas the TMCD would deal with trade mark and design data reception, capture and dispatch, trade mark cancellation proceedings as well as Madrid Protocol trade mark applications. Mr. Jakobsen and Mrs. Schmidt were appointed as Directors of TMRD and TMCD respectively.
As regards the starting date for both departments it was agreed that the exact date would depend on the final definition of the respective internal structures of the new departments and the successful implementation of the appropriate IT arrangements.
Following the definition of such internal structures, the selection of middle managers within the two Departments [...] and the completion of all the IT and logistical arrangements the Office is pleased to announce that the two new Departments are officially operational as from Monday, 3 July 2006. [...]"
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