The introduction of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement has established a global patent system requiring a high standard of patent protection. However, any consequential increase in patent applications will further strain the resources of patent offices worldwide. A monolithic ""World Patent Office"" granting ""World Patents"" will most likely remain a utopian idea but the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) has successfully demonstrated how to emulate a ""World Patent Office"" processing ""World Patent Applications"". The current PCT only goes halfway towards the grant of a patent, hence, the logical step to handle an increase in patent applications would be to further develop the PCT towards a patent grant procedure. This has been recognized and in late 2000, the Assembly of the PCT Union decided to set up a special body to consider a formal request by the United States for a ""Reform of the Patent Cooperation Treaty"".
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Formatted Contents Note
Abbreviations/Acronyms – Acknowledgements – Introduction Part I: TRIPS and its Effect on the Patent System Chapter 1. The TRIPS Agreement Chapter 2. The Relevance of TRIPS for Patent Law Chapter 3. The Impact of TRIPS on the Global Patent System Part II: A Comparative Analysis of TRIPS and the PCT Chapter 4. The Patent Cooperation Treaty Chapter 5: Comparison of the Provisions of TRIPS and the PCT Chapter 6: The Position of the PCT and PCT Contracting States in Relation to TRIPS Part III: Further Development of the International Phase Proceedings of the PCT Chapter 7. Current Status Chapter 8. Further Development of the PCT Part IV: Alternatives to Further Development of the PCT Chapter 9. Consideration of Other Offices' Search and Examination Results Chapter 10. Registration or Extension of Granted Patents Chapter 11. A Proposal for a PCT Registration/Extension Protocol Part V: The Effects of TRIPS and PCT on Patent Procurement and Procurement Requirements – Conclusion – Annex Agreement of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) - as far as relevant for patents WTO Articles which are of particular relevancy of TRIPS Patent Corporation Treaty Rules Of The Patent Corporation Treaty which are of particular importance Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property Patent Law Treaty Index