In 2015 the National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) was designated as an international searching authority (ISA) and international preliminary examining authority (IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The INAPI received 262 applications in 2017, which was an increase of almost 20% compared with 2016, and foreign nationals made 51% of 2017's ISA applications. At present, 22 patent offices worldwide fulfil the role of Patent Cooperation Treaty international authorities. In Latin America, only Brazil and Chile have been designated to provide these services.
As an ISA and IPEA under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the INAPI provides services for applicants from Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago. During 2017 the INAPI issued 217 international search reports and written opinions.
The INAPI received 19 requests in 2017 for international preliminary examinations, an increase compared with the six received in 2016.
As the Patent Cooperation Treaty's receiving office, the INAPI received 141 international applications in 2017, of which 67% were filed electronically through the ePCT system. The applications concerned:
- mechanics (45%);
- chemistry (20%);
- biotechnology (15%);
- electrics (15%); and
- pharmaceuticals (5%).
From January 1 2018, the INAPI can issue international search and preliminary examination reports, in both Spanish and English, for Chilean applicants and applicants from Latin American and Caribbean countries that have designated the INAPI as their ISA and IPEA.
For further information on this topic please contact Victoria Santis at Montt y Cia SA by telephone (+56 22 233 8266) or email ([email protected]). The Montt y Cia SA website can be accessed at www.monttcia.cl.
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