The State Intellectual Property Service of Ukraine (SIPS) announces the start of performing functions of International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) by the State Enterprise “Ukrainian Institute of Intellectual Property” (UIIP), under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Ukrpatent became the 20th International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority in the world, in a cohort of leading institutions, such as European Patent Office, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Japan Patent Office, Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, Intellectual property office of Singapore, Patent Office of Israel and so on.

The basis for this important event is the signing of the November 27, 2015 Agreement between the State Intellectual Property Service of Ukraine and the International Bureau of Intellectual Property about performing functions of International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) by the State Enterprise “Ukrainian Institute of Intellectual Property” (UIIP), under the PCT, signed by General Director of WIPO Francis Gurry and the Chairman of the SIPS Alla Zharinova.

Ukrpatent begins to perform functions of International Searching Authority, International Preliminary Examining Authority and Authority, which specified on staging of supplementary search, from February 5, 2016.

In addition, as of that date, Ukrpatent is competent in the staging of international search and preliminary examination on international applications, filed to the Ukrpatent in capacity of department-recipient.