WIPO Recognizes Israel Patent Authority
24 August 2012
The World Intellectual Property Organization has announced that beginning June 1, 2012, Israeli applicants for PCT applications will be able to designate it as an International Search and Examination Authority (ISEA), according to a statement issued by Jerusalem-based law firm JMB Davis Ben-David.
“WIPO decided to recognize the Israel Patent Authority as an ISEA in 2009,” the firm notes. “Since then, significant preparations to implement this decision have been in progress. These include hiring additional patent examiners, training them to examine in accordance with PCT requirements, upgrading the computer and communications systems, and enacting the necessary legislation.”
The firm says that official fees for performing search and examination have not been announced by the Patent Authority but, says that they are expected to be lower than those presently paid by Israeli applicants to either the United States Patent & Trademark Office or the European Patent Office.
“At first, the designation of the Israel Patent Authority as the ISEA in an international application will be available only to Israeli applicants,” the firm said. “After an initial period it will also become available to applicants from other countries, subject to appropriate bilateral agreements.”