International patent applications to be fast-tracked

A new fast-track procedure for approving international patent applications that will cut waiting times by more than a year has been launched by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). The Prime Minister announced the new scheme during a speech, which set out his vision for transforming the UK economy.

The 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 fast-track procedure will make it quicker for business to turn innovation and ideas into products and jobs. The new procedure will apply to applications filed under the international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The UK is one of 142 countries which have signed up to the Treaty.

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 UK is among the first to introduce a fast-track procedure. It is hoped other countries will establish similar schemes to encourage applicants to make full use of the international phase. This will help deal with the global backlog of patent applications.

9 Jun 2010