On March 28, 2011, in the course of Leading brands of Spain Forum organized within the margins of Russia-Spain cross-year Director General of Rospatent Boris Simonov and President of Spanish Patent and trademark Office (SPTO), Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce Amparo Fernandez signed the Memorandum (PDF - 320 Kb) of Understanding on the Piloting of the Patent Prosecution Highway. The Memorandum provides for use of products of international phase of PCT as basis for PPH procedures.
Besides, within the framework of Forum the Federal Service of intellectual property, patents and trademarks was granted the «Friends of brand of Spain» award.
The Memorandum is aimed at improvement of work efficiency and Patent quality by reducing the efforts through worksharing and tackling growing Patent backlogs and increased pendency.
During the negotiations the undoubted advantages of PPH pilot program were emphasized that allow each office to exploit the work previously done by the other office and reduce examination workload and expedite the examination process at both offices.
The parties stated that the signed Memorandum is an important step in development of partnership relations between Russian Federation and Spain that is aimed at extending the prospects of the Patent system.
The PPH pilot program will commence on April 4, 2011.