JPO-UKIPO Examiner Exchange Program Held

December 16, 2022

On November 8 to 9 and 15 to 17, 2022, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) held an Examiner Exchange Program^* with the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom (UKIPO).

Four examiners each from the JPO and the UKIPO participated in the program.

For the discussions, three technical fields (1. Applied Physics [Physical Measurement], 2. Medical Devices [Therapeutic Equipment], and 3. Imaging Systems) were selected taking into consideration the proposals from the U.K., the number of applications and other factors. The examiners from both Offices discussed equivalent cases in these fields. They also exchanged information on various topics such as quality control and search systems.

This time, the program was held online, introducing an interval of three days during the discussions. This allowed the examiners for both Offices to efficiently sort out issues and prepare answers to the questions raised in the sessions, resulting in more meaningful discussions.

The JPO will continue to cooperate on patent examination with the IP Offices of other countries.

* The Examiner Exchange Program is designed to foster a relationship of trust and deepen mutual understanding between the examiners of the JPO and overseas IP Offices through discussions on each other's prior art search methods and examination practices, and to promote mutual use of prior art search results and examination results.

Participants of the Program

[Last updated 16 December 2022]