The International Patent Institute (IIB) (French: Institut International des Brevets), established on June 6, 1947, in The Hague, Netherlands, was a multinational intellectual property organization founded by European countries, i.e. France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Its primary mission was to centralize patent searching, archiving, and resources for prior art searches for its member countries.[1]
On January 1, 1978, the IIB was integrated into the European Patent Organization. This merger resulted in the creation of a branch of the European Patent Office (EPO) in Rijswijk in the Netherlands, near the Hague. The Rijswijk office is one of three locations along with Munich and Berlin, where European patent applications may be filed.[2]
History
editIn the repercussions of World War II, European nations faced the challenge of rebuilding their economies, modernizing systems and fostering international collaboration. Intellectual property, particularly patents, became a key area for cooperation. The creation of the IIB was one initiative aimed at improving efficiency in patent examinations and harmonizing patent laws. By centralizing resources and sharing expertise, member countries sought to reduce cost and streamline patent searches, although different approaches to intellectual property were also being explored at the time.[3]
Key milestones and achievements
edit- 1947: the IIB was founded in The Hague, Netherlands, by France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
- 1950s-1960s: the IIB developed a centralized system for conducting prior art searches, helping to streamline patent applications across its member states.
- 1964: under the leadership of Guillaime Finniss, the IIB began laying the ground for broader European patent cooperation, eventually leading to the creation of the European Patent Organisation.
- 1978: the IIB was integrated into the European Patent Organisation (EPO) marking the end of its independent operations and the beginning of a new era in European patent law.[4]
Member States
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Harbers, Michael J. (1968). "International Patent Cooperation". Stanford Law Review. 20 (5): 1000–1029. doi:10.2307/1227635. ISSN 0038-9765.
- ^ OECD (2004-10-14). Patents, Innovation and Economic Performance OECD Conference Proceedings: OECD Conference Proceedings. OECD Publishing. ISBN 978-92-64-01527-2.
- ^ Pila, Justine (2013). "The European Patent: An Old and Vexing Problem". The International and Comparative Law Quarterly. 62 (4): 917–940. ISSN 0020-5893.
- ^ Pila, Justine (2013). "The European Patent: An Old and Vexing Problem". The International and Comparative Law Quarterly. 62 (4): 917–940. ISSN 0020-5893.
- ^ Harbers, Michael J. (1968). "International Patent Cooperation". Stanford Law Review. 20 (5): 1000–1029. doi:10.2307/1227635. ISSN 0038-9765.
- ^ OECD (2004-10-14). Patents, Innovation and Economic Performance OECD Conference Proceedings: OECD Conference Proceedings. OECD Publishing. ISBN 978-92-64-01527-2.
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