322. We would like to thank Japan for preparing the paper and we are pleased to be a co-sponsor. The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu is an open and free market economy with a thriving industrial property landscape. In 2022, the number of invention patent applications received by TIPO exceeded 50,000, representing a 2% annual growth rate. Global statistics indicate that in 2021, TIPO ranked 8th among patent offices in terms of invention patent applications received, with non-resident applications accounting for approximately 60% of the filings. Japan, the US, China, the Republic of Korea, and Germany were the top five countries of origin of said applications. Our local enterprises have been actively developing global patent portfolios. In the past five years, the numbers of invention patent applications from our jurisdiction received by the IP5 reached over 30,000 invention patent applications annually; of these, the majority were received by the USPTO (approximatively 19,000 applications), followed by the CNIPA (11,000 applications), and the JPO, EPO, and KIPO (1,000 applications each).
323. TIPO places great importance on examination efficiency and quality to provide better services to our patent applicants, TIPO is actively cooperating with other IP offices to accelerate examination process and reduce costs.
324. To streamline the patent examination process and allow applicants to obtain patent rights swiftly, we have been actively cooperating with other IP offices under the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program and sharing examination results. Additionally, TIPO also works with other IP offices to enhance examination efficiency and minimize time and costs associated with submitting priority documents for cross-border applicants. The Electronic Priority Document Exchange (PDX) Program is another collaboration with our global counterparts, allowing patent and design applicants to transmit their priority documents electronically. In addition, to simplify the procedure for patent applicants to deposit biological materials and reduce the cost arising from making duplicate deposits, we actively promote mutual cooperation with other IP offices on biological material deposits.
325. Apart from efficiency, maintaining high examination quality is of utmost importance to TIPO. We organize activities to exchange information with WTO Members about our legal systems and best practices. We conduct examiner exchanges on a yearly basis with major IP offices to keep abreast of recent developments and to exchange experiences. We also jointly hold IP dialogues and seminars with other IP offices to discuss issues of concern, exchange information, and arrange for our examiners to participate in training courses offered by other IP offices.
326. We have ample resources and expertise in information technology and TIPO is glad to exchange our experiences in establishing IT infrastructure with other IP offices. TIPO has established two patent search information systems, i.e., the TWPAT and GPSS, providing free access for the general public. To optimize the search system, TIPO has signed patent data exchange agreements with major IP offices. TWPAT is a search system for our published patent data, while GPSS collects published global patent data. Collaborative efforts in industrial property across borders can bring mutual benefits to all participating IP offices. TIPO is committed to pursue opportunities to cooperate with other IP offices, aiming for establishing more comprehensive cross-border IP collaborations that can benefit our IP service users.
