Cooperation in patent examination between Taiwan and the United States has reached a new milestone. As of September 1, 2026, the Taiwan-U.S. Priority Document Exchange (PDX) program has officially commenced operations. Going forward, when filing patent applications and claiming priority in Taiwan or the United States, applicants may benefit from this electronic exchange mechanism. By requesting electronic exchange, applicants can have the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) directly exchange priority documents, which can simplify cross-border patent application procedures.

Taiwan has successfully implemented PDX programs with Japan and the Republic of Korea since 2013. The expansion of the PDX program to include the United States will significantly enhance the convenience of filing patent applications in the U.S. for Taiwanese applicants, as well as for U.S. applicants filing with TIPO, creating a win-win situation for patent applicants on both sides.

The U.S. has consistently been the top destination for Taiwan’s foreign patent filings, with approximately 20,000 applications filed annually. Meanwhile, U.S. applicants file approximately 7,000 patent applications with TIPO each year, ranking second among all foreign applicants in Taiwan. Therefore, the launch of the Taiwan-U.S. PDX program will not only simplify cross-border patent application procedures for applicants from both countries but also help deepen bilateral cooperation in patent examination.

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