IPFEE Terms of Service

IPFEE Intellectual Property Administrate Co., Ltd. (“IPFEE”) provides the IPFEE Patent Network (http://www.ipfee.com.tw) (the “IPFEE Patent Network” or the “Service”) in accordance with these Terms of Service. By using the Service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Service.

   I. Amendments and Acceptance of the Terms of Service

 

  • Right to amend. IPFEE may amend these Terms of Service at any time. Amendments will be posted on the IPFEE Patent Network and take effect upon posting; no individual notice will be provided. Your continued use of the Service after any amendment means you have read, understood, and agree to the revised Terms of Service.
  • Contractual effect. These Terms of Service, together with all content published on the IPFEE Patent Network, form the contractual agreement between you and IPFEE.
  • Opt-out. If you do not agree to these Terms of Service or any subsequent amendments, you must discontinue use of the Service immediately.

    II. Membership Registration

  • Membership registration is free of charge.
  • Before using the Service, you must complete the membership registration process and ensure that all information you provide is accurate, complete, and up to date (including the email address designated during registration). You are responsible for maintaining and updating your personal information. If you provide false, inaccurate, or incomplete information, fail to update it in a timely manner, or register using another person’s identity, IPFEE may suspend or terminate your account, delete data on the IPFEE Patent Network, and deny access to part or all of the Service. IPFEE shall not be liable for any resulting consequences, including overdue patent annuity payments, late fees, penalties, patent rights expiration, or other damages.
  • The personal information provided during membership registration, as well as any patent-related information submitted while using the Service, will be kept confidential by IPFEE in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act, the Trade Secrets Act, and other applicable laws and regulations, except where disclosure is required by law, judicial order, or with your consent.
  • After completing registration, you will receive a “Membership Registration Verification Email.” You must verify your account with your username and password to activate it. You are responsible for safeguarding your credentials and agree to the following:
    • 4.1 You are fully responsible for all activities conducted under your account.
    • 4.2 If your username or password is compromised, or any security issue arises, you must immediately notify IPFEE.
    • 4.3 You must log out of your account after each use of the Service.
    • 4.4 IPFEE is not liable for any damages arising from your failure to maintain the security of your account or password.
  • The Deposit Account feature of the IPFEE Patent Network will be activated upon completion of the membership registration process. For detailed instructions, please refer to the "Deposit Account" section in the Member Account area.

    III. Obligations and Legal Commitments of Members and Users

  • You agree not to use the Service in any unlawful or improper manner, or to engage in illegal activities via the IPFEE Patent Network or the Service.
  • You agree not to post, transmit, or store content on the IPFEE Patent Network that is defamatory, fraudulent, insulting, threatening, obscene, pornographic, false, or unlawful. This includes but is not limited to text, images, files, or programs.
  • You agree not to infringe the patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, or other intellectual property rights of others when using the IPFEE Patent Network or the Service.
  • You agree not to transmit or distribute computer viruses, spam, or unsolicited promotional emails through the IPFEE Patent Network or the Service.
  • You agree not to damage, disrupt, or interfere with the IPFEE Patent Network or the Service.
  • You agree not to steal, misuse, or unlawfully access other members’ account credentials or information.
  • You agree not to use the IPFEE Patent Network or the Service to engage in any activity that violates applicable laws or regulations—including, but not limited to, the laws of Taiwan (R.O.C.), the laws of your place of residence, and the laws of the place where you access or use the Service—or that harms or interferes with the IPFEE Patent Network, the Service, or IPFEE’s rights or legitimate interests.

    IV. Service Content Declaration

  • Patent Portfolio
    • 1.1 Add New Cases
      • 1.1.1If your patent case has never been instructed to the IPFEE Patent Network for annuity payment, or if no instructions have been given for more than one annuity term for an existing case, you must complete the “Add New Cases” procedure. The Add New Cases feature is free of charge. When using it, you must accurately and completely enter the latest case information and the annuity years already paid for the designated patent in accordance with the procedure so that the IPFEE Patent Network can record your annuity case correctly. IPFEE is not liable for any loss arising from incorrect, false, or incomplete information you provide, including, but not limited to, overdue annuity payments, late fees, penalties, or loss of patent rights.
      • 1.1.2When using Add New Cases to register a patent annuity case, the official due date must be at least 90 days away. If the latest information and paid annuity years are entered accurately and completely, and your contact information is current, the IPFEE Patent Network will complete the registration and notify you by email before the official due date. This feature is free of charge and does not create any legal obligation; IPFEE assumes no legal liability.
      • 1.1.3As the“Add New Cases” feature is provided free of charge, you are responsible for managing and verifying the completeness and accuracy of the patent data entered. If you discover any inaccuracy, you must notify IPFEE immediately. IPFEE shall not be liable for loss arising from such errors, including, but not limited to, overdue annuity payments, late fees, penalties, patent rights expiration, or other damages.
    • 1.2 IP Renewals
      • 1.2.1When using the Service to pay patent annuity fees, you must accurately complete and submit the order in accordance with the patent annuity payment procedure. You must then remit the full amount to the specified account, in the designated currency, and by the stated deadline (as set out in the procedure or the order notification email). Payment must be received in full by IPFEE or the designated payee within the deadline. Failure to pay on time or in full, or to ensure receipt in the designated currency by the deadline, entitles IPFEE to decline processing your order; no client relationship shall be deemed established. IPFEE shall not be liable for resulting loss, including, but not limited to, delays, penalties, late fees, or lapse of patent rights.
      • 1.2.2Please replenish your account before starting to use the Deposit Account feature. You can then select the deposit account to deduct the payment amount during the checkout. If the deposit account has insufficient funds, you must replenish it and wait for the funds to be credited before placing a new order.
      • 1.2.3After making the correct payment to IPFEE or the designated payee within the specified time, you must notify IPFEE or the designated recipient within 2 days of the payment date. Notices must be sent by email or other specified method and must include complete bank remittance details (including bank account information and the IBAN). Failure to notify, late or improper notice, or inaccurate payment information may result in IPFEE declining to process your order, and no client relationship shall be deemed established. IPFEE shall not be liable for resulting loss, including, but not limited to, delays, penalties, overdue fines, lapse of patent rights, or other damages.
      • 1.2.4If you entrust IPFEE to pay patent annuity fees and the official due date is more than 30 days away, IPFEE will process payment to the respective national patent authorities before the official due date. In cases of non-payment or late payment, IPFEE will refund the full amount you have paid. However, if non-payment or delay is caused by factors not attributable to IPFEE, the company shall not be liable for any resulting loss, including, but not limited to, delays, penalties, overdue fines, or lapse of patent rights.
      • 1.2.5If you provide incorrect, false, or incomplete patent information; if the case is fewer than 30 days before the official due date; if duplicate orders arise from repeated instructions; if you request IPFEE to stop handling an instructed case; or if you otherwise violate these Terms of Service, IPFEE may decline to process your order. If payment has already been made, IPFEE may deduct 20% of the service fee stated in the original order as a refund-handling and bank remittance fee, and refund the balance by bank transfer.
      • 1.2.6When using this Service to pay patent annuity fees, you must ensure the case you entrust to IPFEE is more than 30 days before the official due date. Orders placed after the official due date or with fewer than 30 days remaining require prior special approval from IPFEE. Discounted online prices do not apply to such cases. IPFEE may decline to process these orders and no client relationship shall be deemed established. IPFEE shall not be liable for any resulting loss, including, but not limited to, delays, penalties, late fees, lapse of patent rights, or other damages.
    • 1.3 Annuity Management
      • 1.3.1For patent cases recorded in “Patent Portfolio” or for which annuities were paid through the Service, IPFEE will update your patent information in real-time to assist with case-status management. The Service will notify you by email before the next annuity due date. However, this is a free service, not an obligation of IPFEE; IPFEE bears no liability for any failure to provide notifications.
      • 1.3.2The “Patent Portfolio” is a free feature. You must manage your patent cases and regularly verify the accuracy and completeness of the data and official due dates shown in Patent Portfolio. If you discover any inaccuracy, you must notify IPFEE immediately. IPFEE bears no liability for any loss resulting from a failure to notify.
      • 1.3.3You must complete the instruction process at least 30 days before the official due date and make payment by the Service’s specified deadline. Failure to meet these conditions means no client relationship is established, and IPFEE shall not be liable for resulting loss, including, but not limited to, delays, penalties, late fees, lapse of patent rights, or other damages.
      • 1.3.4If a case status is marked Terminated due to patent term expiration, or no instructions are made for 2 or more consecutive annuity terms, IPFEE will cease providing data for that case.
  • Fee Schedules
    • 2.1 The “Fee Schedules” provided by this Service, including government fees, local agent fees, and IPFEE service fees—may be adjusted from time to time due to changes in government fee schedules, exchange rates, price/inflation movements, operating costs, or the scope of patent coverage.
    • 2.2 If you instruct IPFEE to pay patent annuities and, before IPFEE processes payment to the designated national patent authority, there is an increase in official fees or a significant exchange-rate fluctuation, you agree to pay the difference.

V. Internet Links, Advertisements, and Transactions

  • The IPFEE Patent Network or third parties using the Service may provide links to websites or electronic information operated by independent entities. Such links do not imply any affiliation, endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership with IPFEE. IPFEE is not responsible for any loss arising from accessing or using such external sites or information, including, but not limited to, direct or indirect damages.
  • Advertisements, images, text, products, services, or other content not owned by the IPFEE Patent Network are provided by the respective advertisers, suppliers, service providers, agents, or product owners. You are responsible for verifying the accuracy and authenticity of such advertisements and information. IPFEE makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees regarding these advertisements, products, or services and, if you transact with such entities, IPFEE is not liable for any guarantees, obligations, or damages including, but not limited to, losses arising from the products, services, or related transactions.

VI. Intellectual Property Rights

  • The business models, website operations, e-commerce concepts, website content, page flows, structure, visual design, programs, software, images, graphics, files, information, audio-visual content, and other materials on the IPFEE Patent Network are owned by IPFEE or other rights holders and are protected by trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, technical know-how, and other intellectual property rights. Any modification, reproduction, adaptation, publication, imitation, use, reverse engineering, decompilation, disassembly, or other tampering is strictly prohibited. Violators shall be fully liable for resulting damages.
  • By submitting any material to the IPFEE Patent Network or the Service, you consent to IPFEE’s non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use, modify, edit, publish, move, or remove such material as necessary to ensure proper system functioning and quality—including, but not limited to, data accuracy, page appearance, content correctness, program operation, database integrity, record management, and stable/efficient site operation. You waive any objection to such use or modification.

VII. Limitation of Liability and Disclaimer

  • The services provided by the IPFEE Patent Network include storage and backup of patent case information and statuses within the annuity management system to mitigate risks from possible network interruptions or other malfunctions. However, you are responsible for adopting your own protective measures when using the Service. IPFEE assumes no liability for any resulting loss.
  • The IPFEE Patent Network does not guarantee the security, integrity, or uninterrupted transmission of emails, files, or data sent via official or private email providers. IPFEE bears no responsibility for issues arising during transmission, including, but not limited to, delays, disruptions, errors, loss, or corruption of data.
  • IPFEE is not liable for loss arising from your use of the Service or from accessing other websites via the IPFEE Patent Network, including, but not limited to, damage to your computer system, loss of stored data, infringement of third-party rights, or other damages.
  • IPFEE does not warrant that the IPFEE Patent Network will be free from interference, intrusion, malware/viruses, damage, or disruptions caused by third parties. IPFEE is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages resulting from such events.
  • If service suspension or interruption is caused by events beyond IPFEE’s control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, wars, or other force-majeure events, IPFEE is not liable for any direct or indirect damages.

VIII. Termination of Service

  • IPFEE may, for proper operation of the Service, terminate or modify any part of these Terms or the Service. Valid patent case information and statuses in the annuity management system will be stored and backed up for your reference and self-management. IPFEE assumes no liability for any consequences arising from such termination or modification.
  • If you violate these Terms, infringe IPFEE’s rights, or use the Service in a manner that infringes third-party rights, IPFEE may, without prior notice or consent, terminate your account, password, or access to the Service, and remove or delete any data you have on the Service. For any resulting damage to you or any third party, IPFEE bears no liability.

IX. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

  • The interpretation, application, and enforcement of these Terms, and any dispute arising from or related to the Service, shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Any such dispute shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Taiwan Taichung District Court, which shall serve as the court of first instance.