Easing the Patent Process – The Vancouver Group

Patent offices around the world are increasingly developing ways to simplify the patent process for those who file corresponding patent applications in a number of countries. Principally, the initiatives aim to encourage consistency of examination between the patent offices of different countries and to provide greater certainty for patent owners and would-be infringers. They also aspire to reduce costs by eliminating duplication of effort between offices.

Recently, an agreement has been reached between the patent offices of Australia, Canada and the UK (the so-called "Vancouver Group") to co-operate with each other to make patent examination in those countries easier, faster and cheaper. We explain the way it will work below. This agreement goes beyond existing schemes like the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), also outlined below.