In its continuing effort to reduce the growing backlog of pending U.S. patent applications, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has extended its pilot project with IP Australia, whereby IP Australia will continue to provide search and examination services on international patent applications filed with the USPTO under provisions of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). In the next year of the project, starting March 12, 2007, IP Australia will process up to 1,200 PCT applications, covering a range of technologies. The USPTO receives about 50,000 international PCT applications annually.
The USPTO will review the work of IP Australia to ensure that it meets USPTO standards for quality and accuracy. IP Australia's Director General Ian Heath explained some of the benefits IP Australia will receive from the project, including moving closer to the vision of being an office of choice and for enhancing the international reputation of IP Australia.
Vol. 53, June 2010