Community Patent Review
Background
The constant development of new technology, coupled with a significant increase in the volume of patent documents, has created a burden for patent examiners. Hundreds and even thousands of patents must now be examined in a process that requires technological expertise, access to up-to-date information, and professional experience.
CPR Procedure
�� - ��: When an applicant requests a CPR, or a patent examiner selects a disclosed application as the subject of a CPR, the operator of the CPR system lists the application on the CPR Web site along with a summary of the application.
�� - ��: Public reviewers list the prior art documents and application assessments, then deliver them to the CPR operator.
�� - ��: The operator organizes the results of the list and sends them to a patent examiner for use during the examination.
��: The operator informs the applicant of the results of the review.
CPR Benefits
The following are the expected benefits of the CPR:
First, applicants can more easily secure outstanding patents after allowing their applications to be reviewed by technology experts.
Second, reviewers serve the public by preventing substandard applications from becoming registered as patents.
Finally, KIPO improves examination quality by cooperating with reviewers in ensuring that patent examinations are conducted professionally.
CPR Outcomes
We first introduced the CPR back in 2010, then ran a couple of pilot tests through 2011. As of 2012, the Community Patent Review has been fully operational. In 2013, a total of 493 assessments were posted on 76 out of the 234 applications subject to review. Examiners took these into account when examining 31 of the applications (about 40% of the total number of 76), significantly contributing to enhanced examination quality.
Last updated 24 May 2016
Patent Examination Policy Division