UK INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News Network
on 21 September 2007
A public
consultation on proposals to introduce fast-track processing
services for patent and trade mark applications was launched today
by Lord Triesman, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for
Intellectual Property and Quality.
The consultation is being led by the UK Intellectual Property
Office (UK-IPO) and takes forward proposals made in the Gowers
review of Intellectual Property.
Speaking today, Lord Triesman said:
"I welcome this consultation on proposed new fast track
services for processing patent and trade mark applications. The
proposals provide important new tools for businesses - both large
and small - in providing fast track routes to the grant of a
patent or the registration of a trade mark. I look forward to
hearing the views of interested parties on the proposed services."
Ian Fletcher, Chief Executive of the UK Intellectual Property
Office said:
"The proposed fast track services help applicants for
patents and trade marks that choose to use the system, get an
early decision on their patent or trade mark. I await with
interest the results of the consultation."
The consultation documents are available on the UK-IPO web site
at http://www.ipo.gov.uk/consult-fasttrack.htm
Editor Notes
- The UK-IPO web site can be found at http://www.ipo.gov.uk
- The Gowers Review of Intellectual Property recommended that new
accelerated processes for granting patents and registering trade
marks be introduced (Recommendations 25a and 25b).
- A key difference from the existing procedures for patents is
that fast-track processing will be available as of right upon
payment of a fee (£400-£600).
- No form of accelerated examination currently exists for trade
mark applications. The consultation proposes a new system which
will enable applicants to request examination within 10 business
days as opposed to the 4-6 week time a standard application will
take. A premium fee of £300 is proposed for a fast track application.
- The Gowers review of Intellectual property, published on 6
December 2006, can be found at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/6/E/pbr06_gowers_report_755.pdf