The aim of these articles is to keep our Clients and Associates updated about developments in the sector of Intellectual Property in general and our firm in particular. In this way, we wish to provide a broader view of the tools that the field of trade marks, domain names, patents, designs and related rights offers to entrepreneurs to enhance and protect their efforts in researching and developing new solutions and ideas.
Flash News from the Patent World
Uruguay About to Join the PCT
On 7 January 2025 Uruguay will join the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), thus bringing the number of member countries to 158.
In this connection, it is worth noting that according to a reservation made by Uruguay, the Uruguayan Patent Office shall not be bound by Chapter II of the PCT, i.e. it will not be bound by the outcome of the International Preliminary Examination.
Brazil Extends the PPH Programme with EPO
The Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI Brazil) has extended its cooperation with EPO in respect of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programme until 30 November 2029 and also widened the scope of said programme so that the EPO will benefit from the latest international search report (ISR), international preliminary examination (IPER) or international written opinion (WO) issued by INPI Brazil acting as an International Searching Authority (ISA).
New Zealand Has Joined the PPH
As from 1 December 2024, a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot is effective between the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand and EPO.
Therefore, there are 17 national IP offices having PPH agreements currently in place with EPO, namely the IP offices of Japan, South Korea, China, USA, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.