Online training for overseas patent examiners a world first
8 Apr 2013
Patent offices from South East Asia and Africa will benefit from our Regional Patent Examination Training program (RPET) launched 8 April 2013.
Effective patent examination training takes time and investment. Traditionally this training has been provided in a face to face setting on an ad hoc basis. This approach does not provide the in-depth training necessary to examine patents to world standards.
Using e-learning technology, RPET is:
- a competency based program for overseas patent examiners
- modelled on our approach to patent examination training
Trainees will be assessed on their ability to examine patent applications to the standards required under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Experienced Australian examiners will provide one-on-one training and support, largely online for up to two years.
Examiners from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Kenya and the African Regional Intellectual Property Office are taking part in the first RPET intake. Upon completion of the program, they will be able to consistently examine to the standards expected of their Australian counterparts.
This is the single largest international activity we have undertaken in over a decade. Assisting other IP offices to enhance their examination standards will, in time, lead to higher quality and more consistent granted IP rights. This means Australian exporters can have greater confidence in the validity and protection of their IP rights in overseas markets.
RPET is a significant activity of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Economic Cooperation Work Program, which is funded by the Australian Government via AusAID. The World Intellectual Property Organization is also providing support for African participation in RPET.
Last Updated: 15/9/2012
