UK Consultation on Fast-Track Processing of Patent and Trademark Applications

A public consultation on proposals to introduce fast-track processing services for patent and trade mark applications in the UK was launched on September 21, 2007 by Lord Triesman, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Intellectual Property and Quality.

The consultation documents are available on this web site. The deadline for responses to this consultation is 14 December 2007.

The consultation seeks general comments on the proposed service, and also in particular for patents on:

• Which of the two alternative fee structures is likely to better meet the needs of users.


• Whether the three month period for filing third party observations could be reduced to two or even one month with no detrimental effects on the quality of granted patents.


• Whether the removal of the requirement to provide reasons for requesting accelerated processing and the increased profile of our fast-track services would significantly increase the take-up from current levels, and also what effect the proposed fee would have on usage of the system.

and, in particular for trademarks on

• Do the proposed conditions for applying for a fast track application represent a workable balance between ensuring that we can offer the speed required of a fast track service and between the ability of businesses to access the service?


• Do you agree that the level of fee will have the result of ensuring that fast track requests do not become the norm?


• Do you agree with our estimate on possible take-up (10% of applications)?