Brimelow, who was joined by USPTO director Jon W Dudas and JPO commissioner Takashi Suzuki, spoke about the great increase in patent applications and pendency and the uncertainty that this creates.

She said that one of the main problems at the moment is that the three patent offices are “taking in each other’s washing”. She added that eliminating this duplication and developing joint initiatives such as a common document database and a unified classification system could improve the system.

Suzuki spoke of the need to create a “virtual global patent office” by promoting work sharing and patent harmonisation. He also emphasised the need to “establish infrastructure that will keep pace with open innovation”.

Dudas praised the JPO for its efforts to develop patent prosecution highways to enhance cooperation between patent offices and reduce application times.

He explained that the USPTO has speeded up its patent processing time and increased the percentage of patents that are rejected. He spoke of the need to press ahead with the cooperation initiatives that are “no-brainers” and told the audience that, for progress to be made “your cooperation and input are essential”.

The AIPPI Congress is being held in Boston this week. For more information, read the official AIPPI Congress News, published by Managing IP and available online at www.managingip.com.