Which patent offices can act as International Searching Authorities for applications filed with the U.S. Receiving Office?
For international applications filed with the U.S. Receiving Office, several patent offices can act as competent International Searching Authorities. According to MPEP 1840, these include:
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- European Patent Office (EPO)
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)
- Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) (IPAU)
- Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) (Russian Federation)
- Israel Patent Office (ILPO)
- Japan Patent Office (JPO)
- Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
The MPEP states: “The European Patent Office (EPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) (IPAU), the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) (Russian Federation), the Israel Patent Office (ILPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) may also be competent to carry out the international search.” The choice of International Searching Authority must be made by the applicant when filing the international application.
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