Further shortened ISR lead time introduced as from 1 January 2023
23 January, 2023
The Visegrad Patent Institute constantly works on user-friendly initiatives to become the “PCT authority next door” for applicants filing under the PCT in the Visegrad countries, Serbia and Lithuania.
The Visegrad Patent Institute serves its applicants by ensuring their early access to international search reports that help better evaluate their patenting chances on the territories of the relevant markets.
The first step was to reduce the 3- or 9-month ISR lead times set by the PCT by 1 week as from 1 June 2021. Due to this initiative and according to WIPO’s data, the Visegrad Patent Institute became the fastest PCT authority in issuing international search reports and written opinions worldwide in 2021.
The experience gained with the expedited international search reports made it possible to further reduce the ISR lead times in 2023, without making any compromise in respect of the quality of international search reports.
The ISR lead times in cases where no priority is claimed for international applications filed as from 1 January 2023 were cut to 8 months. In all other cases, the Visegrad Patent Institute maintains the previous practice with 1-week shorter lead time.
The new initiative of the Visegrad Patent Institute may further help its applicants in their efforts to gain a more favourable position on the markets they intend to enter.
No change in the opening hours of the VPI in December
15 December, 2022
We would like to inform our applicants and interested parties that the Visegrad Patent Institute remains at your service during the last days of December with the same opening hours as throughout the year.
The Visegrad Patent Institute wishes all applicants and colleagues happy holidays, a well-deserved quality time off with friends and family, and a successful New Year for 2023.
Presentations and feedback survey on V4 TTO event are available
24 November, 2022
The VPI held a roundtable discussion under the title “V4 TTO Best practices in international patenting” on 22 November. The presentations have been made available.
In order to serve our applicants and the participants of our future events better, we set up a short survey with 5 questions to learn about their experience with our events, website and services. We cordially invite all participants of the event and all users of our website to fill in the survey and share their experience.
The survey is open until 22 December. We are looking forward to learning your opinion, thank you in advance.
TTO round table discussion on 22 November, 2022
28 October, 2022
The Visegrad Patent Institute, in cooperation with the International Visegrad Fund and the ASTP, the premier association of knowledge transfer professionals in Europe, is organizing an online round table event on 22 November 2022.
The event will feature a keynote speech from ASTP addressing the most important recent developments of knowledge transfer in Europe. The round table discussion will be held with TTO experts from the V4 countries discussing the challenges of international patenting in knowledge transfer and other topical issues. The event will be held online and open to any interested participants.
Save the date in your calendar to join us and follow our Linked-in page for further details.
New SME case studies published
30 August, 2022
A series of case studies are being published on patenting best practices through the PCT route to support the planning of PCT applications. Amongst others, the case studies deal with the issues of building an IP oriented company culture, strategic decisions around patenting as well as the technology transfer process.
These case studies are the first of a series of publications that the VPI prepares to provide further information and share best practices that can help the preparatory work and the filing of PCT applications in the Visegrad region. The first publications will be followed by further case studies in the future. Visit the Knowledge Hub page and follow us on Linked-in to be informed about the upcoming releases.
2021 Annual Report of the VPI is available
26 August, 2022
The Annual Report of the VPI for 2021 has been published. This publication presents the institutional activities of the VPI in 2021 as well as data and trends of PCT applications of the Visegrad countries at the VPI in the previous 5 years.
This is the first annual report of the VPI which will be issued on a regular basis from now on. The report is available for download from the Knowledge Hub page.
VPI became observer on the AC of the EPO
29 June, 2022
We proudly announce another significant milestone in the life of our Institute. As of 29th June 2022, the Visegrad Patent Institute became observer on the Administrative Council (AC) of the European Patent Organisation by a unanimous decision of the Administrative Council. This positive decision opened up a new era of cooperation for the VPI at European level.
MoU signed between the International Visegrad Fund and the Visegrad Patent Institute
23 February, 2022
Petr Mareš, Executive Director of the International Visegrad Fund (IVF) and Johanna Stadler, Director of the Visegrad Patent Institute (VPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the headquarters of the VPI on the 23rd February.
Through the MoU, the two institutions intend to intensify their joint efforts to raise awareness on patenting and in particular on the international patent system. IVF and VPI plan to organise expert exchanges and consultations, and to launch various new incentives and grants, especially for inventors and SMEs in the region.
The VPI is strongly committed to supporting closer cooperation between citizens and innovative enterprises, research institutes and universities of the Visegrad Countries to facilitate joint creation and exploitation of inventions. The MoU with the IVF is an invaluable tool to support these efforts.
Seat Agreement signed between Hungary and the Visegrad Patent Institute
4 February, 2022
The VPI is pleased to announce that the draft Seat Agreement between Hungary and the VPI has been signed by Mr Tibor Gulyás, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology on behalf of the Hungarian Government and by Ms Johanna Stadler, Director on behalf of the VPI. The Seat Agreement will enter into force upon approval by the Hungarian Parliament and will regulate important elements of everyday operation of the VPI in Hungary.
On behalf of the Visegrad Patent Institute, we would like to express our gratitude for this outstanding gesture of support from our host country, Hungary.
Announcement of the new bank account number of the Visegrad Patent Institute
17 January, 2022
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The bank account number of the Visegrad Patent Institute changed as of 17th of January, 2022. All payments are to be made to the following bank account number in the future:
Account holder’s name: Visegrad Patent Institute
Bank: Raiffeisen Bank Zrt., 1133 Budapest, Váci út 116-118.
IBAN: HU66-12012204-01799099-00200000
SWIFT Code: UBRTHUHB
Please, update your records and make sure that your future payment details are correct.
Video recording of the celebratory 5th Anniversary Conference of the Visegrad Patent Institute available
1 August, 2021
On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of its operation, and to raise the awareness on the PCT of the players of the innovation ecosystem in our region, the VPI organised an online conference with the support of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology and the National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary.
The mission of the Visegrad Patent Institute (VPI) is to help innovative businesses, universities, research institutions and individual inventors in the CEE region to obtain patent protection abroad and to enter the international market safely. For this reason, the video recording of the presentations delivered ont he conference are made available on the Youtube channel of the VPI.
Invitation to the online conference of the Visegrad Patent Institute to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the start of its operations on July 7th, 2021
6 June, 2021
The invited speakers come from a broad array of the economy and academy to deliver case studies and have round table discussions about PCT matters. The participants of the online event can gain invaluable insight into the international patent application process through the PCT system and receive useful practical tips about successful patenting strategies.
Excuse of delays due to COVID-19 pandemic
23 April, 2020
The Visegrad Patent Institute (VPI) adopts the interpretation of current situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic taken by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
In line with the recommendations made by the WIPO, the VPI considers the pandemic to be a „natural calamity” and therefore will treat requests under PCT Rule 82quater.1 to excuse delays in meeting time limits favourably. Applicants are not required to submit further evidence of disruption caused by the pandemic in their Rule 82quater.1 requests.
MoU signed between the Intellectual Property Office of Serbia and the Visegrad Patent Institute
2 July, 2020
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia (IPOSR) and the Visegrad Patent Institute (VPI), furthermore, the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization was duly notified thereon in July 2020.
In the MoU, IPOSR declares that the VPI is a competent International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) for international applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) by Serbian nationals and residents (Serbian Users).
The appointment to act as ISA and IPEA for Serbian Users is a great honour for the VPI. The signatories to the MoU expect that this new possibility offered for Serbian Users can contribute to the development of the knowledge- and innovation-intensive industries in Serbia, and could have a positive effect on involving research institutions and universities into the innovation ecosystem of the region. Additionally, the MoU opens up a new area of cooperation that can further strengthen the already existing network and good relationships between the industrial and intellectual property offices of our region.
The MoU enters into force on 1 September 2020. As from that date, Serbian Users can choose for their international applications under the PCT the VPI as ISA and IPEA.
We look forward to receiving international patent applications from our Serbian Users.
SERVICES
The Visegrad Patent Institute, in its capacity as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) carries out the following services in accordance with the PCT:
International Search (IS) >>
International Preliminary Examination (IPE) >>
Supplementary International Searches (SIS) >>
ABOUT THE PCT
The PCT is an international treaty that makes it possible to seek patent protection simultaneously in a large number of countries by filing a single application. Granting the patent remains under the national or regional legislation.
Documents
Download the Search Fee Refund Form from this page and find detailed instructions on how to submit it for quick payment. Read about our quality assurance and the legal framework of the operation of the VPI in our official documents.
Knowledge hub
The Knowledge hub of the Visegrad Patent Institute was created to share research, statistics, industrial best practice and benchmark information about international patenting in the Visegrad countries through publications and events.