ISA and IPEA Status for Indian Patent Office

Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has granted the Indian Patent Office the status of International Search Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) joining in line of Austrian Patent Office, Australian Patent Office, Canadian Intellectual Property Office, State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China, European Patent Office, Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, Japan Patent Office, Korean Intellectual Property Office, Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Patents and Trademarks (Russian Federation), Swedish Patent and Registration Office and United States Patent and Trademark Office. Following the development, the Indian Patent Office will now be entering into an agreement with the International Bureau of WIPO relating to the functioning as International Searching and International Preliminary Examination Authorities under the PCT which include conducting prior art search and preliminary examination, and preparing written opinions. Even the Nordic Patent Institute, an intergovernmental organization established by the governments of Denmark, Iceland and Norway will also join as International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority from January 01, 2008 onwards.