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IP News Bulletin

USPTO launches Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program



In an attempt to incentivize and expedite the invention and production of clean energy technologies the United States Patent and Trademark Office has introduced the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program on 3 June 2022.


The program is aimed at accelerating the examination process of patent applications which’s objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


The USPTO already had programs in place which would expedite patents and register them in a faster time than the normal 3-year processing time, during which products would be labelled as “patent pending”, the new program however removes the fee and other requirements needed to be fulfilled by the applicant to be part of the accelerated examination program.


Under the requirements listed in the USPTO website it states that – “Applications must contain one or more claims to a product or process that mitigates climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” The applicants must also relay their belief that the patent application will have a positive impact on the climate.


Under this program in the coming year, the USPTO will grant 1,000 applications the special status which will enjoy the free accelerated treatment. All this is an effort of the US government to deal with rapid climate change and high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.


As of the date 28 June 2022, there have 16 applications filed under this program, and 0 have been granted. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has also introduced a similar green technology initiative where the application fee is not required. The scope of the Canadian program is however wider as it covers technology that not only resolves environment and climate issues, but also helps “conserve natural resources”.



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