The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) have launched a pilot Patent Prosecution Highway program between the two offices.

"Under the Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a ruling from either CIPO or KIPO that at least one claim in an application is patentable may request that the USPTO fast track the examination of corresponding claims in corresponding applications. Similarly, if the USPTO determines that at least one claim is patentable, the applicant may request accelerated processing of corresponding applications filed at CIPO or KIPO."

"'By facilitating the direct use of each other's patent examination results, the KIPO-USPTO Patent Prosecution Highway will alleviate the examination workload and enhance the overall quality of examinations in our respective countries,' said Commissioner Sang-Woo Jun of KIPO. 'It will also be of great benefit for Korean and U.S. applicants as it will expedite the acquisition and commercialization of high quality patents.'"

The US-Korea Patent Prosecution Highway pilot program follows other such programs between Japan & Korea, the US & Japan, the US & Canada, the UK & the US, and the UK & Japan.

The trial program between the US and Korea is to run for one year, terminating on 28 January 2009.

Sources and for further information

USPTO Press Release - USPTO Expands Patent Prosecution Highway Network to Canadian, Korean Patent Offices

USPTO - The Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction With the Korean Intellectual Property Office

KIPO - Patent Prosecution Highway

Information about other Patent Prosecution Highways

IP Menu news - US & Canada - Patent Prosecution Highway

IP Menu news - UK & USA - Patent Prosecution Highway opens between UK and USA

IP Menu news - UK, Japan & US - Patent Prosecution Highway updates

Labels: Korea, Patent News, United Kingdom

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) has launched a new service providing users the ability to request online uncertified copies of patents and patent applications that are open to public inspection (Form 23). The requested copies will then be emailed to the user as PDF files.

Currently the UK-IPO also provides for online filing for UK patent applications and requests for entry into the UK national phase. The UK-IPO also plans to launch an online service allowing users to file forms and documents after the patent filing date.

"Sean Dennehey, Director of Patents said: 'This new service will make it much easier for customers to get copies of patent files, and is a significant extension of the range of services which can be accessed electronically.'"

Sources and for further information

UK-IPO press release - Launch of new on-line patent services

UK-IPO - Requesting an electronic uncertified copy from a published UK patent or patent application (Form 23) Checklist

UK-IPO - Request for Electronic Uncertified Copy - Form 23

Labels: Patent News, United Kingdom

The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) is calling for submissions in response to a consultation paper proposing new exceptions for copyright infringement. The proposals are based upon the changes recommended in The Gowers Review of Intellectual Property that was reported on in December 2006.

"The consultation considers how the Gowers recommendations on exceptions to copyright might be implemented in the UK." The proposed changes include modifying the education exception to allow distant education students to receive and view recordings of broadcasts remotely and also passages of printed works using interactive whiteboards, the introduction of 'format shifting' exceptions, a new exception for parody, expanding the range of materials covered in the research and private study exception, and also expanding the types of materials that can reproduced for perseveration and replacement by libraries and archives.

Submissions may be mailed to the UK-IPO or emailed to copyrightconsultation@ipo.gov.uk. The closing date for submissions is 8 April 2008.

Sources and for further information

UK Intellectual Property Office: Formal Consultations - Proposed changes to Copyright Exceptions

UK Intellectual Property Office - Copyright Exceptions consultation document [PDF]

HM Treasury: Independent Reports - The Gowers Review of Intellectual Property

Labels: United Kingdom

From April this year, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) will offer a new fast track service for trade mark applications. This decision follows the public consultation on the matter, which was discussed on IP Menu News in September 2007.

"'This will help us turn around trade mark applications more quickly while still providing our customers with a very high quality service. We also want to look at other ways of speeding up the process for registering trade marks.'"

It has been announced that the fast track service will cost an additional £300 with the application examined and an examination report sent to the applicant within ten business days. "For comparative purposes, standard applications currently take around one month from their filing date before they are examined."

Source and for further information

UK-IPO news - Lord Triesman announces a new Fast–Track Trade Mark service

UK-IPO - Guidance: Fast-Track Examination of Trade Mark Applications

IP Menu News - UK - Public consultation on proposed fast track applications

Labels: United Kingdom

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) has launched a new improved version of their online patent filing system.

The new version allows users to request an online certified copy of their patent applications, provide information about late declarations of priority and request entry of an international patent application to the UK national phase.

"Over the next few months, further enhancements will allow customers to request and receive an uncertified office copy electronically and also file a selection of later filed forms and documents via our website."

Further details about the system are available here.

Sources & further information

UK Intellectual Property Office news - Launch of new on-line patent services

UK Intellectual Property Office - Web filing - Important Information

Labels: United Kingdom