Inventors to get fast-track patent approval

The Intellectual Property Department is set to create a fast-track system for patent registration to facilitate Thai inventors, starting with a pilot project on inventions related to health care, including medicines, treatments, care and food.

Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, the department’s director-general, said the new system will increase competitiveness in innovation and intellectual property as well as create more employment and income for Thais and entrepreneurs.

The system is scheduled for introduction next month.

Currently patent applications and registrations take about 55 months from the filing date until the patent is granted. Under the fast-track system, the consideration period will be cut by half to 24-36 months.

From the start of the Covid-19 pandemic until last Friday,…