Canada Launches Green Patent Fast Track Program

In a previous post, I wrote about the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s (CIPO) proposal to implement an expedited examination program for green tech patent applications.

Last month CIPO launched the program. Now applicants can have their green patent applications advanced out of turn for examination with a simple written request and declaration that the application relates to clean technology:

An applicant wishing to take advantage of the expedited examination process must do the following:

2. Submit a declaration that states the application relates to technology the commercialization of which would help to resolve or mitigate environmental impacts or conserve the natural environment and resources.

Under the fast track program, the applicant will receive a first office action within two months instead of about 2-3 years in the ordinary course. More information on the CIPO fast track program can be found here.

Canada joins several other national IP offices around the world in offering a green tech fast track program, including the UK, the US, Australia, Korea, Japan and Israel.

Eric Lane is a patent attorney at Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps in San Diego and the author of Green Patent Blog. Mr. Lane can be reached at elane@luce.com.