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Collaborative Search Program(CSP)

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If the same inventions are filed in Korea and the U.S., respectively, examiners in both countries may share information of prior art and use it on request of the applicant.

Prior Art Documents3

Effect

To improve quality of examinations and promote consistent outcomes by sharing information of prior art.
To acquire patents faster in both countries through rapid examination.

KIPO-USPTO CSP (Sep. 1, 2015~)korea flag usa flag
Application period
  • The 4th pilot period : Nov. 1, 2022 ~ Oct. 31, 2024 (2 consecutive years) If more than 400 requests are filed annually, the requests could be limited.
    ※ Introduction of the combined petition form (Available in its previous petition form in parallel)
  • The 3rdpilot period : Nov. 1, 2020 ~ Oct. 31, 2022 (2 consecutive years)
  • The 2ndpilot period : Nov. 1, 2017 ~ Oct. 31, 2020 (3 consecutive years)
  • The 1stpilot period : Sep. 1, 2015 ~ Aug. 31, 2017 (2 consecutive years)
USPTO's Collaborative Search Pilot: A Quick Guide

Enhance your understanding of the CSP's value with the USPTO's overview video: USPTO's Expanded Collaborative Search Pilot: A Quick Guide

Requirements for CSP request

An application submitted to KIPO (hereinafter referred to as "KIPO application") is eligible for participation in the KIPO-USPTO Collaborative Search Pilot (CSP) program, provided that it meets the minimum requirements for filing its corresponding application with the USPTO (hereinafter referred to as "US application") and adheres to all requirements mandated by the USPTO. Additionally, the related US application must also comply with the USPTO requirements (External link: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search/international-protection?MURL=collaborativesearch).

  • 1. The earliest priority date of the applications filled with KIPO and the USPTO is the same.
  • 2. The examination is requested before or at the same time as the CSP request is being filed.
  • 3. The CSP request is filed before the first office action (FOA) is issued.
  • 4. The CSP request is filed based on a single application.
  • 5. Corresponding independent claims of the requests filed with KIPO and the USPTO are identical.
  • 6. The earliest priority date is March 16, 2013 or later.
  • 7. The number of claims is 20 or less, and among them, independent claims are 3 or less.
  • 8. The claim referring to 2 or more claims is excluded (USPTO Requirement).
  • 9. The requirement for unity of invention is met.
Process of CSP

The program is processed through accelerated examination at KIPO or an interview before the FOA issued by the USPTO as follows:

Examination Flow(1) for CoBoA Pilot Program


Documents for CSP request
  • KIPO-USPTO CSP request form : Download
  • Description of a request for accelerated examination : Download

For a request for accelerated examination, please fill out three documents, including KIPO-USPTO CSP request form, accelerated examination request form, and description of a request for accelerated examination, and then request the CSP.

For a request for examination, please fill out only KIPO-USPTO CSP request form, and then request the CSP.

For a request for accelerated examination, please fill out three documents, including KIPO-USPTO CSP request form, accelerated examination request form, and description of a request for accelerated examination, and then request the CSP.

For a request for examination, please fill out only KIPO-USPTO CSP request form, and then request the CSP.

Process of a request for CSP to the USPTO.

For details of the request process, please visit the website below :
http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/international-protection/collaborative-search-pilot-program-csp

KIPO-CNIPA CSP (Jan. 1, 2019 ~)korea flag china flag
Application period

Time period for the request: The KIPO-CNIPA CSP will be implemented for 2 years from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2020. If more than 400 requests are filed for 2 years, the requests may be limited.

* A Notice of Temporary Suspension of KIPO-CNIPA CSP Pilot Program
The KIPO-CNIPA CSP pilot program is going to be temporarily suspended after December 31, 2020. As soon as the program is restarted, it will be announced again.

Requirements for CSP request
  • 1. The earliest priority date of the applications filled with KIPO and the CNIPA is the same. (Patent applications filed with KIPO and the CNIPA must have the same priority date under the Paris Route, or either application must serve as the basis for claiming a foreign priority of the other application under the Paris Route.)
  • 2. The examination is requested before or at the same time as the CSP request is being filed.
  • 3. The CSP request is filed before the first office action (FOA) is issued.
  • 4. The CSP request is filed based on a single application.
  • 5. Corresponding claims of the requests filed with KIPO and the CNIPA are identical.
  • 6. Applicants in KIPO and the CNIPA are identical.

* If the number of CSP requests is over 400 for 2 years (200 CSP petitions for Korean applicants and Chinese applicants, respectively) totally, the requests may be limited.

Process of CSP

(Overall procedure) 'CSP request, requirements for CSP request, a sharing of prior art between the offices' are added to a general process for examination of both offices.
(Sharing between the offices) 'The fact of CSP request, evaluation of compliance with requirements for CSP request(provisional decision, request for supplement, final decision), prior art information' are shared between the offices.

Application Form

Required documents for CSP request: A CSP request form* where the applicant, the application number and the earliest priority date are described is transmitted to both offices within 15 days from the date of filing a CSP request to any one of the offices, and the China application and a claim correspondence table should be enclosed.

Applicants in KIPO and SAIP are identical.* KR-CN CSP Request Form : Download / Needed when filing a request of CSP to the CNIPA

KIPO-SAIP CSP (Jul. 01, 2021~)korea flag Saudi-Arabia flag
Application period

- The 2nd pilot period : July 1, 2023 ~ June 30, 2025 (2 consecutive years) If more than 400 requests are filed for 2 years, the requests may be limited.
- The 1st pilot period : July 1, 2021 ~ June 30, 2023 (2 consecutive years) If more than 400 requests are filed for 2 years, the requests may be limited.

Requirements for CSP request
  • 1. The earliest priority date of the applications filled with KIPO and SAIP is the same.(Patent applications filed with KIPO and SAIP must have the same priority date under the Paris Route, or either application must serve as the basis for claiming a foreign priority of the other application under the Paris Route.)
  • 2. The examination is requested before or at the same time as the CSP request is being filed.
  • 3. The CSP request is filed before the first office action (FOA) is issued.
  • 4. The CSP request is filed based on a single application.
  • 5. Corresponding claims of the requests filed with KIPO and SAIP are identical.
  • 6. Applicants in KIPO and SAIP are identical.

* If the number of CSP request is over 100 for 2 years totally, the requests may be limited. (75 CSP petitions for Korean applicants and Saudi Arabian applicants, respectively, 25 petitions for applicants from 3rdcountries)

Process of CSP

(Overall procedure) 'CSP request, requirements for CSP request, a sharing of prior art between the offices' are added to a general process for examination of both offices.
(Sharing between the offices) 'The fact of CSP request, evaluation of compliance with requirements for CSP request(provisional decision, request for supplement, final decision), prior art information' are shared between the offices.

Application Form

Required documents for CSP request: A CSP request form* where the applicant, the application number and the earliest priority date are described is transmitted to both offices within 15 days from the filing of a CSP request to any one of the offices, and the Saudi Arabian application and a claim correspondence table should be enclosed.

* KR-SAIP CSP Request Form : Download

  • Last updated 09 April 2024
  • Patent Legal Administration Division