On 1 July 2018, the operative phase of a joint pilot project of the five largest patent offices of the world (IP5) to test a collaboration on search and examination work of PCT applications (Collaborative Search and Examination, CS&E) began. This CS&E concept involves processing the same PCT application by an examiner from the patent office responsible under the PCT together with examination colleagues from the other IP5 patent offices to create a high quality international research report and written opinion.

The purpose of the two-year pilot project, which involves approximately 500 PCT applications, is to show the extent to which users are interested in CS&E products and to what extent offices can expect efficiency gains. In addition, this project can lead to an increase in the quality of the examination of international applications.

The IP5 includes the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japanese Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (SIPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

How to participate in the pilot project

Applicants can request acceptance into the pilot project when they file their PCT application. The standard form, obtainable from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), must also be submitted together with the application to the Receiving Office of one of the IP5 or to the International Bureau as Receiving Office.

Please note that until 31 December 2018, only applications written in the English language will be accepted, otherwise an English translation must be submitted within a month of the mailing date.

Further information is available on the websites of the WIPO and the EPO.