TIPO to Implement A Five-Year Plan to Clear Backlog of Patent Applications.

E100707Y1 Aug. 2010（E129）

TIPO is to put in place a five-year plan to remove the pile of patent applications, during which same period a budget of TWD1.26 billion will be put in to clear the predicament from the backlog of patent applications pending for examination. According to Wang Mei-Hua, Director of TIPO, an influx of TWD2.706 billion to national revenue as of 2025 is projected from the increase in the number of concluded patent applications.

Direct Wang indicated that by implementing the five-year plan, it is estimated that by 2015, the patent applications pending in TIPO will be reduced to 75,900 in number and the average time needed to conclude the examination of an application will substantially shorten to 22 months from a lengthy period of 36.8 months.

The Executive Yuan approved the above plan on 24 June. Starting next year (2011), TIPO will add to its staff 39 assistant patent examiners, 170 new hires by contract for a five-year term, 100 alternative military service drafts to assist in patent search work and engage more external examiners. Further, TIPO is planning to set up a patent development fund with the fund needed to be contributed from TIPO’s receipt of official fees. By reference to Korea’s experience and the operation of KIPI A foundation, TIPO will also have a foundation established to assist with the patent search work and, with sufficient practical experience acquired, provide businesses with value-added services such as patent map analysis.

The 5-Year Backlog Clearance Plan as proposed by TIPO
		Actions	Projected efficiency accounted for by the number of concluded applications estimated to increase in result
Short-term planning	Increase in working staff	39 additional assistant patent examiners	11,100
		100 alternative military service drafts to assist with patent search work	11,300
		Additional external examiners	9,300
		170 new hires by contract for a five-year term	69,700
Mid- and long-term planning	With allocated contribution from official fees received	A foundation to be established by reference to Japan’s and Korea’s relevant experience to assist with the prior art search work	Under planning.
	With allocated contribution from official fees received	A Patent Development Fund to be established with special funds authorized to strengthen patent database (with national and international patent information), provide special training programs, promote e-filing and online programs, etc.	Under planning.
	Re-structure patent examiner’s salary base to attract and retain good personnel.
	Provide senior patent examiners with exemption of the certified patent attorney exam in whole or in part as incentive to encourage their long-term service.
Overall efficacy projected	· Patent applications pending in TIPO will reduce to 75,900 in number. · Average time needed to conclude examination will reduce to 22 months per application. ·TWD2.706 billion estimated will be received in national revenue as of 2025.