UKIPO "Green Channel" for Expedited Searching and Examination of Eco-Friendly Technology; SIPO to Follow

The UK Intellectual Property Office has initiated a "Green Channel" where applicants will be able to request accelerated processing of their application if the invention relates to a 'green' or environmentally-friendly technology.  To enter the Green Channel, the applicant must make a request in writing, indicating:

• that their application relates to a ‘green’ or environmentally-friendly technology and
• which actions they wish to accelerate: Search, Combined Search and Examination, Publication, and/or Examination.

The Office will require no further reasons for accelerated processing.  This service will apply to existing applications as well as to applications filed after May 12, 2009. You can find further information about the various accelerated services in the patents fast grant guidance.

According to the press release, "the ‘green’ patents initiative was one of the key deliverables announced at the UK/China Economic and Financial Dialogue on May 11, with China already agreeing to adopt the proposal.  The Intellectual Property Office is working with other major trading partners to get them to sign-up to the green patents fast-track system."

In the U.S., so-called "petitions to make special" (except those based on applicant’s health, age, or the PPH pilot program), are required to comply with the detailed requirements for the accelerated examination program as set forth in this notice.