The USPTO recently announced that has begun a collaborative effort with the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) “to test the feasibility of the PRV performing search and examination services for the USPTO on international applications filed with the USPTO under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).” This project is specifically geared toward reducing the backlog of patent applications at the USPTO, noting that the USPTO has been averaging over 400,000 national applications and 50,000 PCT applications per year, and further noting that approximately 750,000 patent applications are “currently in the pipeline.” This pilot project will start with 50 PCT Chapter I applications, and plans to expand if the PRV meets the USPTO’s standards for quality and accuracy. According to Lars Björklund, acting Director General of the PRV, “The PRV is a competent PCT Authority since the start of the PCT system in 1978 and we have a long experience of patent search and examination,” and “We look forward to cooperating with the USPTO and thereby also taking responsibility to support and maintain the functionality of the PCT system.”

USPTO Announcement: LINK
Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) Website: LINK