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Negotiators meet to Finalize Patent Law Treaty

Geneva, May 11, 2000
Press Releases PR/2000/220

Negotiators from member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opened a round of talks on Thursday to finalize a treaty that will result in an international agreement to harmonize, on a worldwide basis, formal patent procedures relating to national and regional patent applications and maintenance of patents. His Excellency Mr. Nacer Benjelloun-Touimi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco, was elected as President of the Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the Patent Law Treaty (PLT) which is meeting in Geneva from May 11 to June 2, 2000.

Opening the conference, WIPO Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, said that the Patent Law Treaty "will simplify and streamline procedures for obtaining and maintaining protection and will result in reduction of costs when filing for patent protection". The Director General also referred to the efficiency gains generated by the simplification of procedures under the draft Treaty.

Dr. Idris said that "goodwill, cooperation and understanding between various legal systems, cultures and economic systems worldwide" was of central importance to the successful conclusion of the Conference. He added that conclusion of the PLT will pave the way for further development of the international patent system. "The successful conclusion of the Patent Law Treaty will enable WIPO to continue its program of work for further development of the international patent system including substantive harmonization of patent law" he said.

The Director General pointed out that the conclusion of the Treaty will achieve a major goal of international simplification by incorporating the requirements for international applications under the WIPO-administered Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) into national and regional laws. This means that the requirements and procedures for national and regional patent applications, and those for PCT international applications, will be harmonized and streamlined, eventually leading to standardized formal requirements and procedures for all patent applications worldwide.

For additional information, please see Press Release 219 or contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

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