IP5 Agree on New AI-Focused Cooperation

1．Background

The IP5 Offices account for approximately 85% of all patent applications worldwide (around 3.18 million out of 3.73 million total applications in 2024), underscoring their central role in the global patent system.

To enhance efficiency and quality, the IP5 Offices collaborate through several working groups covering classification, information technology, examination, harmonization, and statistics. Since its launch in 2007, the IP5 Heads of Office Meeting has served as a high-level platform for endorsing the outcomes of these efforts and setting strategic priorities.

The 19th meeting was held in Tokyo under the leadership of the JPO.

2．Key Outcomes

Review of the progress under the roadmap on the cooperation in NET/AI

The roadmap on the cooperation in NET/AI was endorsed in the IP5 Heads meeting in 2021. Marking five years since the endorsement of this roadmap, the IP5 Offices reviewed their progress and reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in this critical area. Recognizing the growing importance of AI, the IP5 Offices agreed on new directions for future cooperation and decided to establish a dedicated working group to advance practical discussions and initiatives.

Enhancing the IP5 Cooperation Framework

The IP5 Offices also discussed ways to improve their cooperation framework, focusing on:
streamlining functions among working groups to reduce overlap,
simplifying coordination and procedures, and
optimizing meeting structures.

They agreed to enhance the existing framework to facilitate more efficient collaboration.

The Role of the IP5 Offices in the Age of AI

During the meeting of the IP5 Heads of Office with IP5 Industry held the previous day, the IP5 Offices and IP5 Industry exchanged views on current AI utilization practices, as well as future expectations. Based on this meeting, the IP5 Offices discussed the role of the IP5 Offices in the Age of AI.

They shared a common understanding of the importance of ensuring the responsible use of AI and further strengthening IP5 cooperation.

3．PPH 20th Anniversary Forum

The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) enables an application whose claims have been determined patentable by the first office (Office of Earlier Examination) to undergo an accelerated examination in the second office (Office of Later Examination) via a simple procedure.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the PPH, first launched in 2006, the JPO hosted a commemorative forum as a side event of the IP5 Heads of Office meeting. The IP5 Offices, WIPO and IP5 Industry, together with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) reflected on the history of the PPH and exchanged views on further improvements and development of the PPH in the years ahead.

Participants

• European Patent Office (EPO): President António CAMPINOS, et al.
• Japan Patent Office (JPO): Commissioner KASAI Yasuyuki, et al.
• Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP) of the Republic of Korea: Minister KIM Yong Sun, et al.
• China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA): Deputy Commissioner ZHANG Zhicheng, et al. (online)
• United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Jonh SQUIRES, et al.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): Deputy Director General Lisa JORGENSON, et al.

Division in Charge

International Policy Division, Policy Planning and Coordination Department, Japan Patent Office