Legislation
Fast-track procedure launched for approving international patent applications
30/06/2010 10:36
Businesses will welcome the launch of a new fast-track procedure for approving international patent applications that will cut waiting times by more than a year.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has introduced the scheme to help tackle the worldwide backlog of patent applications, which costs the global economy an estimated £7.6 billion a year. The UK is among the first to introduce such a fast-track scheme.
The new procedure applies to applications filed under the international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which requires applications to undergo a preliminary assessment of their patentability before being passed to individual nations to consider the details. Now, businesses and individuals can apply for their application to be dealt with under the PCT (UK) Fast-Track when it has been approved in the international phase. Applicants requesting the fast-track service will receive an examination report within two months; under current timescales, this could take more than 18 months.
The examination report will either approve the application or detail any changes needed before a UK patent can be granted. Any substantial issues will have been addressed in the international phase.
- Download guidance from the IPO website
Operative date
- Immediate