IP News

U.S., EU, and Japan Agree to Increase Patent Harmonization

The heads of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the European Patent Office (EPO), and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Nov. 19, 2004, to harmonize their search strategies, electronic tools, and substantive patent law. The MOU was signed at the conclusion of the 22nd Annual Trilateral Conference, which is a cooperative effort among the top three patent offices worldwide.

The USPTO, EPO, and JPO agreed to reduce their combined workload by utilizing prior art searches performed by another office to avoid duplicate efforts. Moreover, an examiner exchange will take place next year to reduce any differences identified with the search exchange project.

The MOU also provides that the three offices will continue working toward data compatability with the electronic filing systems so that an application can be authored once and filed in multiple countries. Additionally, the three offices will continue to discuss ways to unify the substantive standards for granting patents, and the basis on which searches and examinations are conducted.

U.S. to Create Agency to Oversee IP-Related Programs

The U.S. Congress passed a funding bill that would create a new federal agency that would oversee all IP-related government programs worldwide. The new agency would be responsible for centralizing efforts that are currently carried out by multiple agencies, including the Justice Department, the Library of Congress, Commerce Department, and the State Department. These programs include: 1) efforts to combat global piracy; 2) administration of the U.S. copyright office; 3) oversight of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and 4) monitoring piracy overseas and working to establish legal frameworks beneficial to U.S. copyright and patent holders.

U.S., EU, and Japan Agree to Increase Patent Harmonization

The heads of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the European Patent Office (EPO), and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Nov. 19, 2004, to harmonize their search strategies, electronic tools, and substantive patent law. The MOU was signed at the conclusion of the 22nd Annual Trilateral Conference, which is a cooperative effort among the top three patent offices worldwide.

The USPTO, EPO, and JPO agreed to reduce their combined workload by utilizing prior art searches performed by another office to avoid duplicate efforts. Moreover, an examiner exchange will take place next year to reduce any differences identified with the search exchange project.

The MOU also provides that the three offices will continue working toward data compatability with the electronic filing systems so that an application can be authored once and filed in multiple countries. Additionally, the three offices will continue to discuss ways to unify the substantive standards for granting patents, and the basis on which searches and examinations are conducted.

U.S. to Create Agency to Oversee IP-Related Programs

The U.S. Congress passed a funding bill that would create a new federal agency that would oversee all IP-related government programs worldwide. The new agency would be responsible for centralizing efforts that are currently carried out by multiple agencies, including the Justice Department, the Library of Congress, Commerce Department, and the State Department. These programs include: 1) efforts to combat global piracy; 2) administration of the U.S. copyright office; 3) oversight of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and 4) monitoring piracy overseas and working to establish legal frameworks beneficial to U.S. copyright and patent holders.