The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) have joined forces to launch a new patent exchange service.
The service will enable the two offices to exchange patent application documents directly.
Announced on Friday (October 10), the partnership will allow the USPTO and SIPO to obtain electronic copies of priority documents filed at both offices, meaning they will no longer need to file paper documents.
According to the USPTO, it will help “streamline the application process” and reduce costs for businesses pursuing global patent rights.
Michelle Lee, deputy director at the USPTO, said the office was building a better patent system both at home and abroad.
“By expediting the processing of patent applications between the USPTO and SIPO, we can provide greater cost savings to applicants and advance our goals toward stronger global intellectual property promotion and protection,” she added.
(Source: WIPR)
