The Icelandic Patent Office has recently issued a press release providing details about the new Nordic Patent Institute (NPI) that comes into force on 1 January 2008. The NPI is currently being established by the patent offices of Norway, Iceland and Denmark to handle patent applications made under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The PCT allows applicants to seek protection in multiple countries simultaneously through one application.

The purpose of the NPI is to offer Nordic enterprises “a local, speedy and efficient entry into the PCT system”. In addition, the press release states the service should be faster and more flexible than that of the EPO as the NPI will guarantee that in 95% of cases applicants will receive a prior art search report within 15 months.

Searching, examination and administrative services will be provided by the three patent offices as the institute will only have a few staff. This is the first international patent organisation structured in such a way and will be “the most extensive patent cooperation in the world”.

Sources and further information

Icelandic Patent Office - Quick PCT search and examination in the Nordic countries

WIPO - About the Patent Cooperation Treaty ("PCT")

Nordic Patent Institute (NPI) website