Since all patent offices tend to perform the same functions in processing patent applications, there is considerable redundancy in the system.  For patent offices in developing countries to successfully meet the challenge of growing numbers of patent applications, they should look to greater cooperation in the administration of patent applications and other intellectual property rights.

Uncertainty and Cost - Averting a Global Patent Crises
March 6, 2006
George Washington University Law School
Washington DC

Rising patent filings are impacting patent offices around the world, encroaching on innovation and investment, amongst other related problems. This invitation-only conference will present and solicit ideas in an effort to battle the current trend of rising costs and unreliability in the patent-granting process. The agenda for the Conference includes several panels featuring moderators and speakers representing top experts and patent counsels from leading U.S. and international companies, including Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Apple and Intel. Panel topics will include a report on recent trends in the patent crisis; the impact of uncertainty on innovation, investment and planning; possibilities for international patent harmonization; a USPTO commissioners’ forum on mitigating the effects of uncertainty; and possible solutions for providing stability to the world economy.

Agenda
Hotel and Venue
Press Release

Feasibility Study for a Regional Search and Examination System - Pilot Country El Salvador

The European Patent Office has contracted with IIPI for a pilot project to study the feasibility of an adapted search and examination system. The feasibility study would comprise the technical, legal and financial aspects of the concept, including the possibility of setting up a search capacity which would carry out searches for Central American countries for priority filings, using other Patent Office's search and examination results and for first filings. The feasibility study would also study the possibility of carrying out examination.

Press Release

Addressing the Crises in the Global Patent System
Speech by Hon. Bruce Lehman
Singapore
October 2004

The United States and global patent systems are entering a period of crisis, characterized by escalating pendancy of applications, declining quality of examination, duplication of work by multiple patent offices and increasing costs of patent prosecution. Countries must beging developing innovative ways of addressing these problems to avoid a negative impact upon the international intellectual property system.

Speech (PDF, 52KB)

The Need for a Stronger PCT
Speech by Hon. Bruce Lehman
Geneva, Switzerland
March 2002

The global patent system is currently in a crisis due to the fact that there is not uniform international system for acknowledging and approving patents, resulting in overlap and subsequent litigation among companies that produce similar products. This is especially harmful to developing nations who apply TRIPs, because it requires them to place existing patents on a higher level and give them more protection then applications in their own country.

Speech (PDF, 135KB)

The Future of the Global Patent System
Speech by Hon. Bruce Lehman
Copenhagen, Denmark
January 2001

In order for multinational companies to be successful it is necessary for them to have a better understanding of patent and intellectual property laws. The proper use of patents has allowed the world to make great advances in many fields including medicine and technology. “Without patents there would be no Silicon Valley, there would be no biotechnology industry, there would be no life saving therapy for HIV disease.” It is necessary to create an international database to trace patent applications and literature to ensure that when a patent is granted it is recognized internationally. It will also be necessary to create a “process of substantive patent law harmonization,” around the world.