Globalna administrativna kriza patentnog sistema

Abstract

odlučuju o patentiranju pronalazaka, autor ukazuje na stalnu napetost između vrlo komplikovane procedure i stalno rastućeg priliva prijava patenata, na jednoj strani, i ograničenih administrativnih kapaciteta patentnih uprava, na drugoj strani. Posle prikaza glavnih međunarodnih aranžmana za pojednostavljenje sticanja patenta za isti pronalazak u većem broju država objašnjeni su mehanizmi koji su doveli do spontanog uspostavljanja tri patentne uprave: Evropskog zavoda za patente, Zavoda za patente i žigove SAD i Japanskog patentnog zavoda (tzv. patentne trilaterale), kao neformalnih stubova globalnog patentnog sistema. Objašnjeni su rizici aktuelnih trendova u ovim patentnim upravama, koji se ispoljavaju u vidu nagomilavanja neispitanih prijava, produžavanja roka trajanja postupka patentiranja, pada kvaliteta odluka. Konstatovano je da je rešenje problema u operativnoj saradnji članova trilaterale, ali da ona trenutno nije moguća u punom obimu zbog bitnih razlika u procesnom i materijalnom patentnom pravu koje ove patentne uprave primenjuju. Posle uporedne analize glavnih razlika u patentnom pravu SAD, Japana i Evropske patentne organizacije, autor izražava sumnju da će do ozbiljnije harmonizacije uporednog patentnog prava doći putem mehanizama Svetske organizacije za intelektualnu svojinu, već prognozira jednostrane, ali koordinisane zakonodavne inicijative u tom pravcu u SAD Japanu i Evropi.

Examining the global patent system from the point of view of administrative bodies deciding on granting patents, the author points out at constant tension existing between the very complex patenting procedures and increase of filings of patent applications, on one hand, and limited institutional capacities of patent administrations, on the other hand. Following the review of major international agreements serving the purpose of rationalization of the procedure for obtaining a patent for the same invention in more than one state, the explanation has been given of mechanisms establishing the three patent administrations - European Patent Office, United States Patent and Trademark Office and Japan Patent Office (the so called Trilateral) as informal pillars of the global patent system. The light has been shed on risks vesting in actual trends exhibited in the mentioned three patent administrations in form of piling up pending applications, extended tendency periods, decrease of quality level of decisions etc. It is stated that the solution of the problem is to be found in the systemic co-operation of the offices of the Trilateral, whereby such a cooperation is not possible for the time being due to significant differences in the procedural and substantive patent law applied by these offices. After making a comparative analysis of major differences in patent law of the European Patent Organization, U.S.A. and Japan, the author expresses his doubt in respect of mechanisms of the World Intellectual Property Organization to provide any advanced level of international harmonization of patent law. It seems more probable that unilateral and co-ordinate legislative initiatives towards harmonization will have to be made by the European Patent Organization, U.S.A. and Japan.