USPTO Begins Electronic Delivery of Pre-Grant Search Results to the European ...
20.05.12
WASHINGTON ─ In October 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) began to electronically deliver search results for all publicly available U.S. patent applications to the European Patent Office (EPO). This electronic delivery of search results was implemented to assist U.S. applicants who later file in the EPO to comply with an amendment to Rule 141(1) (Information on Prior Art) of the EPO’s implementing regulations to the European Patent Convention (EPC).
“This delivery of search results is consistent with the USPTO’s strategic goal to increase international cooperation and work sharing,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos.
Amended Rule 141(1) EPC, which went into effect on January 1, 2011, applies to all European patent applications filed on or after January 1, 2011. Amended Rule 141(1) EPC requires applicants to file
Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office