Brimelow was speaking at a special AIPPI Congress session in Boston with USPTO director Jon W Dudas and JPO commissioner Takashi Suzuki.

She spoke about the great increase in the number of patent applications, the long pendency and the uncertainty that this creates.

She added 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 pendency. He explained that the USPTO has speeded up its patent processing time and increased the percentage of patents that are rejected.

Dudas also 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".

Read further reports in the AIPPI Congress News, including an interview with Alison Brimelow, at http://www.managingip.com .