EPO and Bahrain strengthen co-operation
The EPO and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) of Bahrain have concluded bilateral agreements, establishing a co-operative framework to facilitate resource and knowledge sharing, harmonise global patent practice and enhance efficiency within the patent system.
Effective from 12 January 2025, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral co-operation will remain in force until the end of 2027. The EPO and the MOIC will explore opportunities to streamline the processing of international and national applications.
The PPH pilot commenced on 1 March 2025 for an initial term of two years. During the pilot, applicants to the MOIC may request faster processing of their applications at the EPO if the claims have been deemed patentable by the MOIC, and vice versa. By leveraging work already completed, the programme reduces duplication of effort and improves the overall efficiency of the patent system.
The EPO’s PPH portfolio
The EPO has established PPH programmes with eighteen institutions, including:
- the IP5 offices, namely the world's five largest IP offices, comprising the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the National Intellectual Property Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNIPA) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); as well as with
- the national IP offices of Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.