Memorandum between the Russian Patent Office (Rospatent) and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Dear Colleagues,

This letter is to inform you about signing a memorandum between the Russian Patent Office Rospatent and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

On June 2nd, 2010 in the Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Patent and Trademark Office held a meeting with the delegation of the US Patent and Trademark Office.

During the meeting issues of bilateral inter-agency cooperation, exchange of information regarding recent changes in legislation are been discussed. Both the sides noted that cooperation of Rospatent and the USPTO is characterized by high activity and is mutually beneficial.

Both the parties confirmed their intention to begin with respect to September 1st this year the superb project of “Accelerated patent office proceedings” (PPH)

In conclusion of this meeting, the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Mr.Sharon R. Barner and Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Patents and Trademarks Rospatent Director Mr.Boris Simonov signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on comprehensive bilateral cooperation at Rospatent, which is intended in development of inter-agency relations, improvement of legal protection and use of intellectual property in Russia and the US, increasing public awareness of intellectual property, information sharing and capacity of developing agencies in the field of intellectual property.
The MOU establishes a general framework for bilateral cooperation between the USPTO and Rospatent with an improvement toward the administration and effectiveness of intellectual property systems in both offices through exchanges of information and best practices, and promoting the importance of IP for innovation and economic growth.
“Rospatent and the USPTO share many of the same goals, including improving the quality of patent and trademark examination and fostering IP awareness. This MOU commemorates the collaborative and cooperative relationship of our two offices, a relationship that we intend to cultivate and to develop even further," said Deputy Director Mr.Barner. "Also, with this MOU, Rospatent and the USPTO are contributing to the success of the Bilateral Presidential Commission. The Russian Minister for Economic Development Mr.Nabiullina and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Mr.Locke consider this cooperation agreement an important deliverable to the Business Development and Economic Relations Working Group, which they co-chair."

If you have any queries concerning this issue please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Alexander Leonov,
Director General, Patent attorney of the Russian Federation, Eurasian patent attorney,