TIPO Launches Design Patent Priority Document Exchange Program with JPO - 2022.01.05

The Taiwan-Japan MoU on Electronic Patent Priority Document Exchange (PDX) was signed in 2013, applicable to both invention and utility model patent applications. As the PDX program has been put to extensive use by applicants from both countries since its implementation, an additional MoU on Design Patent Priority Document Exchange was signed in 2019. Upon its implementation, by providing an alternative to mailing paperwork, the PDX program can increase application efficiency and streamline cross-country application procedures. Broadening the scope of the bilateral PDX cooperation has also made the exchange mechanism between Taiwan and Japan progressively comprehensive and robust.

Starting from January 1, 2022, a design patent applicant will be deemed to have filed a priority document if he/she provides an access code issued by the JPO within 10 months after the earliest priority date. The design patent application form and the application instructions have both been amended and provided for applicant use, in conjunction with the forthcoming implementation.

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TIPO Launches Design Patent Priority Document Exchange Program with JPO

Amended “Positive Patent Examination Pilot Program for Startups” Effective Jan. 1, 2022 - 2021.12.23

Since January 1, 2021, TIPO has been implementing the “Positive Patent Examination Pilot Program for Startups” to offer assistance in evaluating patent acquisition probability and provide advice on ways to promptly obtain patent rights. Upon receiving positive responses to the results of the pilot program, TIPO has decided to amend and conduct it for an additional year. Moreover, during the pilot program of 2022, there is a cap of 6 applications each month and a limit of 5 applications per startup per year.

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Amended “Positive Patent Examination Pilot Program for Startups” Effective Jan. 1, 2022

TIPO’s Q3 2021 IPR Statistics Report - 2021.11.22

In Q3 2021, TIPO received a total of 18,139 patent applications (including invention, utility model, and design patents) as well as 24,699 trademark applications; this represents a 4% and 5% decrease, respectively, compared with the same period last year. Invention patent applications filed by large domestic enterprises saw an increase of 6%. TSMC took the lead among resident applicants (580) and Applied Materials among non-resident applicants (220). Most trademark applications were filed under “Agriculture.” Uni-President (250) and Shenzhen Futu Network (71) ranked the top among resident and non-resident applicants, respectively.

Patent Applications

Among the three types of patent applications, there were 12,248 invention patent applications filed, a number that grew by 2%, compared to the same period last year. The growth was mainly due to an increase in non-resident applications. On the other hand, the number of utility model and design patent applications fell (see Table 1).

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TIPO’s Q3 2021 IPR Statistics Report

Sept. 2021 Revision of the Article-by-Article Interpretation of the Trademark Act - 2021.10.25

To promote public awareness of the Trademark Act, TIPO published the Article-by-Article Interpretation of the Trademark Act in 2004 and has continued to revise it in response to amendments to relevant laws. After the previous revision (January 2017), the attached list to Article 19 of the Enforcement Rules of the Trademark Act and the infringement identifying process in Article 7 and 9 of the Regulations Governing Customs Measures in Protecting the Rights and Interests of Trademark have been amended. Additionally, a number of examination guidelines have also been established or amended, including the Principles for Examining Trademarks Which Include the “Cross Device”, Operational Directions for Third-Party Observations on Trademark Registration Applications, and Examination Guidelines on Procedural Examination of Applications for Trademark Registration. Trademark-related laws and judicial practices have changed considerably, hence the revision this year.

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Sept. 2021 Revision of the Article-by-Article Interpretation of the Trademark Act