In an ongoing effort to increase trade links between the UK and China, a pilot programme has been launched aiming to help businesses fast-track patent applications between the two regions.

The idea of extending the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) scheme to China was raised following a Prime Ministerial trip to China last year. It means that when a patent is granted at either the UK patent office (UKIPO) or Chinese patent office (SIPO), applicants can get a quicker decision on the corresponding application at the other office because the second office will be able to make use of examination work carried out by the first.

Lord Younger, Minister for Intellectual Property said in a statement, “The launch of the Patent Prosecution Highway with China will enable innovative British businesses to obtain patent protection in China more quickly and cheaply than ever before … [and] will also help to reduce duplication, helping to create a more efficient and affordable system for businesses in both the UK and China.”

The system is already in place between 17 existing patent offices. The timely addition of China is being piloted until June 2016. It comes as UK exports to China have almost doubled since 2009 to more than £1bn per month.

For the latest IP law news, debates and discussions follow us on Twitter @renewalsdesk

July 8th 2014