The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office's (TIPO's) remote patent application interview programme, which launched on 1 March 2022, seeks to remedy problems with examination procedures resulting from the covid-19 pandemic, which had prevented applicants and other concerned parties from participating in face-to-face interviews at the TIPO or a local service centre.
Applicants and patent agents can now select to conduct a remote interview and, at their convenience, engage in trilateral video interviews directly with the examiner, via a video conferencing system established by the TIPO. As there is no need to physically visit the TIPO or a local service centre, all concerned parties can fully discuss case details in real time with the examiner, which facilitates thorough and accurate examination.
It is expected that remote interviews will take place with the same degree of effectiveness as those previously conducted in person. The system will further limit the risk of infection from personal contact, and reduce the inconvenience and cost of full visitation and associated paperwork requirements.
For further information on this topic please contact Richard Yang at Lee and Li Attorneys at Law by telephone (+886 2 2715 3300) or email ([email protected]). The Lee and Li website can be accessed at www.leeandli.com.