With the ever-increasing number of new patent applications in
ASEAN, innovators often wish to accelerate patent prosecutions in
the region. Accelerated prosecution provides early assessment of
the patentability of the invention, facilitates discussion with
interested investors and licensees, strengthens the innovation
company's IP portfolio, and synchronises the patent rights with
the product development. This article discusses the main
international, regional, and national acceleration programmes in
ASEAN.
1. The ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC)
Programme
ASPEC was commenced in 2009 and is the first regional
patent cooperation project among 9 participating ASEAN Member
States (AMS) IP offices of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Under ASPEC, an IP office from
participating AMS (Second IP Office) is able to utilise
the search and examination (S&E) results from