JPO Updates: US-JP Collaborative Search Pilot Program Can Simplify Your Prosecution Process!

US-JP Collaborative Search Pilot Program (herein “US-JP CSP”) is a joint program between the USPTO and the JPO in which the examiners of both Offices examine the patent applications to share search results along with their opinions and provide the initial examination results from both Offices early to the applicants during the same time period.[1]

The benefits of using US-JP CSP includes (1) improving predictability of the information on the timing of examination and acquisition of patent rights for applicants, (2) improving possibility to receive the same examination results from both Offices which would decrease the burden for applicants to respond to office actions issued from both Offices, and (3) reducing the burden for applicants to submit Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) to the USPTO for the documents presented by JPO examiners in the initial examination results.[2]

On November 8, 2022, the two Offices agreed to implement a single petition form in order to simplify the prosecution process for the US-JP CSP. With the implementation of the single petition form, an applicant can participate in the US-JP CSP by sending a petition to only one office.[3]

The US-JP CSP was scheduled to commence its third phase of the two-year pilot program by October 31, 2022.  However, the two Offices agreed to extend the third phase of the two-year pilot program for another two years, continuing until October 31, 2024.[4]

Regarding the requirements to be eligible for the US-JP CSP, please see here for the details.