Accelerated Examination
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| What are eligible applications for accelerated examination? |
(1) PCT application
(2) Application which has a counterpart application in a foreign patent office
(3) A divisional application from (1) or (2)
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| How to start the procedure? |
The procedure is initiated by filing a request for accelerated examination. |
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| Who will file it? |
Applicant of the patent application |
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| When to file it? |
A request for accelerated examination may be filed at the same time or after the request for normal examination. |
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| What are the necessary documents? |
I:
(a) All the references cited in the International Search Report;
(b) All the references cited in the prosecutions of the US and EP counterpart applications as particularly relevant to the patentability, if those counterparts have already matured into patents; or
(c) If neither (a) nor (b) is available, all the prior art references known to the inventor; and
II:
Brief comments on the patentability over each reference.
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| How fast is the Accelerated Examination? |
(1) In the normal examination, a first office action issues on average 24 months after filing the request for normal examination (2004 statistics).
(2) In the accelerated examination, a first office action usually issues within 6 months or less of filing the request for accelerated examination.
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| Kawaguti & Partners |
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