The
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Japan Patent
Office (JPO) would like to express our most heartfelt sympathies to the
victims of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and their families. We
sincerely hope that everyone affected recovers soon and that the spread
of COVID-19 infection will end as soon as possible.
This
unprecedented crisis has had a significant negative impact on the
global economy. Amidst this challenging situation, we are once again
reminded of the importance of innovations that support our society.
As
evidenced by the daily reports around the world, there is no doubt that
innovation is a powerful weapon against COVID-19. On countless
occasions, humanity has overcome crises throughout history by the
development and promotion of innovation.
For
example, the fact that working at home through telework and various
online services has become more common worldwide, shows that innovations
in the field of Information Technology (IT) have become a major
foundation of our economy and daily lives. Likewise, medical
technologies used to fight the pandemic have been created due to
inventions throughout time. This type of development has been made
possible by robust intellectual property systems that incentivize and
protect innovation.
In
this regard, the USPTO and the JPO would like to pay our deep respects
to all the inventors around the world who have served as a driving force
to overcome crises. Both Offices are committed to supporting inventors
by taking all possible measures to ensure that they continue to create.
To
achieve this, IP offices around the world, including the USPTO and the
JPO, have been taking as many actions as possible, such as flexibilities
for affected procedural deadlines, to support inventors and applicants
in this situation of global crisis.
In
order to support innovation worldwide, the USPTO and the JPO are aware
of the importance of promptly establishing stable patent rights.
To
achieve these objectives, the USPTO and the JPO have developed a close
cooperative relationship over the years. More specifically, in addition
to the development of accelerated examination programs, we have worked
hand-in-hand in establishing various initiatives to support inventors
worldwide. These achievements include: the Patent Prosecution Highway
(PPH) launched in 2006; the U.S.-Japan Collaborative Search Pilot
Program; and the Global Dossier Initiative.
Further,
the USPTO and the JPO have developed their own databases allowing
interested parties to readily access information about patents that are
available for licensing. By doing so, the Offices are facilitating the
voluntary licensing of patented technologies and the commercialization
of inventions effective in combating COVID-19.
The
USPTO and the JPO believe we will be able to overcome this crisis by
promoting and utilizing innovative technologies. To that end, both
Offices are firmly committed to working together to advance initiatives
for promoting investment and innovation.
Andrei Iancu,, USPTO Director MATSUNAGA Akira, JPO Commissioner