Taiwan-U.S. patent examination cooperation enters a new stage! The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) announced today that the Taiwan–U.S. priority document exchange (PDX) program will officially launch on September 4, 2026. Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Secure Exchange of Patent Data between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) on November 22, 2023, TIPO and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) completed the necessary preparatory work, including service development and system integration. The launch of the PDX program marks a new chapter in Taiwan’s international patent examination collaboration.

TIPO stated that to improve efficiency in cross-border patent applications, patent offices worldwide are striving to foster cooperative initiatives. Since 2013, Taiwan has established PDX programs with Japan and South Korea. Through electronic exchange of priority documents, applicants claiming priority are no longer required to submit paper copies, thereby simplifying the international claim process, reducing time and costs, and streamlining patent examination procedures.

TIPO further noted that the United States has consistently been the top destination for Taiwanese patent applicants seeking patent protection abroad, with around 20,000 applications filed annually. Conversely, American applicants submit approximately 7,000 patent applications to Taiwan each year, making the United States the second-largest source of foreign applications in Taiwan. The Taiwan-U.S. PDX program further simplifies patent application procedures in both jurisdictions and reflects Taiwan's continued efforts to expand patent examination cooperation with major patent offices worldwide. Under the program, priority documents may be exchanged electronically between the two offices upon an applicant’s request, thereby significantly reducing the burden on applicants. The program will benefit applicants in Taiwan seeking patent protection in the U.S., while also facilitating patent filings by U.S. applicants in Taiwan.

TIPO has published Operational Directions for the Electronic Priority Document Exchange Program between the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, along with corresponding operational procedures and FAQs regarding this cooperation. Applicants may refer to the “Electronic Priority Document Exchange Program” section on the TIPO website for more information (available in Traditional Chinese only): https://www.tipo.gov.tw/tw/patents/533.html

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臺美PDX公告圖