International Search of PCT international applications of all PCT member countries of ASEAN – Patent Examination Coordination between Japan and Laos

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The Japan Patent Office (JPO) can conduct international search for Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international application filed to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) by citizen and resident of Laos after January 1, 2016. As a result, the JPO can now conduct international search for PCT international applications of the eight countries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that are also PCT member countries. The JPO will continue to provide high-quality prior art search to ASEAN to support the globalization of business activity of Japanese enterprises.

  1. Background

With an increasing number of Japanese companies creating their R&D centers in emerging markets such as ASEAN member states, their intellectual property activities in these countries are becoming more important than ever. As a result, the need is rising for Japanese businesses to ensure that their inventions are appropriately acquired and protected as patent rights in these countries.

The JPO has now trained a total of 4661 people from 70 countries and 4 regions to support the development of human resources involved in the intellectual property rights system of emerging countries in Asia.

The JPO has held international discussions to increase its competency to act as an international searching authority (ISA) and international preliminary examining authority (IPEA) for PCT applications received by intellectual property offices of other countries to increase the number of countries to cooperate with (jurisdiction countries).

  1. Expansion of Jurisdiction Countries to include Laos for International Search and International Preliminary Examination of PCT Application

After January 1, 2016, the JPO is now an ISA and IPEA for English PCT international application filed to WIPO by citizen and resident of Laos. As a result, the JPO can now be an ISA and IPEA for the PCT international applications of the eight countries of ASEAN that are also PCT member countries (Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Laos). The JPO can provide high-quality prior art search to ASEAN.

  1. Future Prospects

While the JPO continues to support the development of human resources involved in the intellectual property rights system of emerging countries in Asia, the JPO will also expand its jurisdiction countries in which the JPO is served as an ISA/IPEA. As a result, the JPO can acquire intellectual property rights in every country, advance the development of an environment for intellectual property protection, and support the globalization of business activity of Japanese enterprises.

 

Source of Data:

Japan Patent Office

http://www.meti.go.jp/press/2015/12/20151221001/20151221001.html

 

Keywords: Japan; ASEAN; Laos; PCT; international search