Global IP Information

2026-06-01

Republic of Moldova joins European Patent Organisation as 40th member state

EPO

The Republic of Moldova today became the 40th member state of the European Patent Organisation. This follows the deposit of its instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC) on 25 March 2026. As of 1 June, European patent applications will automatically include the designation of the Republic of Moldova. This further extends the potential economic value of European patents as intangible assets.

2026-05-29

Applicant Pre-Docketing Notice pilot program

USPTO

As part of a new pilot program designed to support informed decision making by patent applicants, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is sending an informational “Pre-Docketing Notice” in pending utility nonprovisional patent applications.

2026-05-28

Order copies of IP documents

CIPO

Order copies of official documents from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) related to Canadian patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright.

2026-05-27

On 27 May 2026, WIPO released the May 2026 issue of its PCT Newsletter (No. 05/2026).

WIPO

2026-05-27

USPTO achieves significant progress in reducing patent application Notice of Allowance mailing pendency

USPTO

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has made substantial progress in reducing mailing pendency for patent application Notices of Allowance (NOAs). In recent months, NOA processing pressures increased as application volumes rose and staffing resources were stretched by competing agency priorities. The Legal Instrument Examiners (LIEs) in Patents’ Office of Patent Examination Support Services (OPESS) support the mailing of NOAs, as well as also processing approximately 2 million incoming patent application documents each year while continuing to support examiner growth and key initiatives across the Office.

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