WIPO CASE - Centralized Access to Search and Examination
The WIPO CASE system enables patent offices to securely share search and examination documentation related to patent applications in order to facilitate work sharing programs.
Many patent applications are filed in multiple offices and patent examiners can increase the efficiency and quality of their work by sharing their examination results.
The system was initially developed by the International Bureau in response to a request from the Vancouver Group offices (the patent offices of Australia, Canada and the UK). Based on their requirements, an initial system was deployed in 2011. The system was further enhanced during 2012 and is now operational for exchange of documents between examiners in the three offices.
Since June 1, 2015, any patent office may join the system by notifying the International Bureau that it is willing to participate according to the new terms and conditions for the system. The office will choose whether it wishes to be a providing office or only an accessing office and technical choices need to be made for the exchange of documents between the office and the system. During a transition period, some offices are still participating according to the previous version of the terms and conditions
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