TIPO announces revised “Positive Patent Examination Pilot Program for Startup Companies” in effect as of January 1, 2025

　According to TIPO’s announcement, as the “Positive Patent Examination Pilot Program for Startup Companies” (hereinafter the “Pilot Program”), which has been ongoing since January 1, 2024, expired on December 31, 2024, TIPO has revised the Pilot Program to expand the scope of eligibility to include two more categories of eligible applicants.  The revised eligibility now includes not only the startups that are established for less than 8 years, but also those that possess innovative R&D capabilities and have won national awards within the past two years as well as those that are guided by organizations commissioned by TIPO.  The revision aims to enable the aforesaid eligible startup companies to obtain patents within four months after application and facilitate their IP developments.  The revised program has taken effect since January 1, 2025.  (Released 2024.12.01) 
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