The need for trust in electronic commerce in intellectual property

The article describes why trust is the core element for the success of electronic commerce or electronic government in the field of intellectual property. The introduction of electronic commerce in intellectual property marks a radical break with traditional methods of communication. Such a radical change can only be successful if all the users (i.e. offices, intermediaries, applicants and interested third parties) have confidence in the new system. There are various ways of inspiring confidence: by consultation over the design of the new system; by creation of a secure legal framework; by mechanisms to eliminate any errors; by an understanding of the new processes; by freedom to choose, for example not to use electronic commerce methods; by a suitable choice of system carriers, and so on. It is no accident that the boom in electronic commerce has coincided with the trend towards increasing openness to the public on the part of the public service (the keywords being new public management and effect-oriented approach to administration). The reason for this openness is often that the public has lost confidence in its public service and is dissatisfied with the services provided. This article shows that electronic commerce also enables the public service to regain lost public confidence.