Accelerated examination of patent applications for «green» technologies: foreign experience for Ukraine

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of international experience in implementing programs of accelerated examination of patent applications in the field of «green» technologies, as well as the impact of the approaches taken by the National Intellectual Property Offices of foreign countries on the implementation of this program in Ukraine. The author provides a thoroughanalysis of the peculiarities of obtaining legal protection for «green» technologies when filing patent applications for accelerated examination. The qualification requirements and process requirements for participation in the program are considered. The impact of the programs on the dissemination of «green» technologies and knowledge about them is also investigated. The objectives of the study are to determine the basic requirements for participation and processparameters in the programs of accelerated examination of patent applications in the field of «green» technologies, and the feasibility of introducing this program in Ukraine. In turn, accelerated examination programs have accelerated the dissemination of technological knowledge in the field of «green» technologies in the first years after the publication of patents. It seems relevant to introduce a program of accelerated expertise in the field of «green» technologies in Ukraine. Since the creation of such a mechanism will allow for a quick search for technical solutions to reduce the impacts and consequences of climate change in Ukraine; to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of global climate change; to environmental threats associated with the war in Ukraine, where there is already a significant level of air, water and land pollution, problems with the generation, accumulation, storage, processing, recycling and disposal of waste; to energy saving technologies and alternative energy sources. A balanced program system would include broad subject matter qualifications (to include as many useful «green» technologies as possible) with reasonable process restrictions (to keep the workload of the examiners at a manageable level) and thus ensure a sufficiently high speed of examination.