KTEP It Moving: Canada Fast-tracks Patent Examination For Key Technologies

In May, we published a bulletin examining the Canadian Intellectual Property Office's (CIPO’s) public consultation on current and proposed expedited patent examination programs in Canada. On September 2, CIPO took a step forward by launching the Key Technology Expedited Program (KTEP)¹, a pilot initiative that provides eligible applications with a faster pathway to patent examination in designated key technology areas at no additional cost.

What you need to know

• The KTEP pilot is a no-fee accelerated examination program for patent applications relating to key technology areas identified by the Commissioner of Patents.
• At launch, KTEP includes two streams: Stream 1 (Critical Minerals), which is currently open; and Stream 2 (Public Health Emergencies), which is currently closed and may be activated at the Commissioner's discretion.
  • Stream 1 is available for patent applications related to innovations that support Canada's critical minerals supply chain.