TOMI IPR GROUP

To provide more flexible examination methods for design patent applications, the Ministry of Economic Affairs Intellectual Property Office (hereinafter referred to as the 'Office') has formulated the 'Design Patent Accelerated Examination Pilot Program' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Program') to accept applications for accelerated physical examination of design patents.

To manage the procedure for deferring the substantive examination of design patent applications, this procedure is hereby formulated.

In consideration of applicants' application strategies, patent layout, and patent commercialization timelines, the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office will introduce diversified examination services for design patents on September 1, 2023. This includes accepting applications for accelerated examination and simultaneously adjusting the deferred examination period for design patents.

TIPO has released the English version of the “Patent Examination Guidelines, Part II: Substantive Examination for Invention Patents, Chapter 1. Written Description, Claim, Abstract and Drawing” to enhance the international IP community’s understanding of Taiwan’s patent examination process. Moreover, it functions as a helpful tool for foreign applicants, enabling them to assess whether their patent applications meet the requirements specified in said Guidelines.