PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Israel

The State of Israel became part of the Patent Cooperation Treaty in June 1996 with the aim of assisting Israeli applicants and promoting local industries. In September 2009, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) chose the Israel Patent Office for a big job. They made it an International Searching and Examining Authority. This shows that the world sees Israel as a place with lots of inventions and patents.

The major requirements and procedure to file a patent application in Israel are mentioned below:

The designated period for submitting a patent application in Israel under the framework of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is 30 months from the date of priority.

In Israel, patent applications must be in either English or Hebrew. If the international application is in a different official language, it is compulsory to provide the required translation.

The deadline for entering the late national phase with a patent application cannot be extended. The application can be filed in either English or Hebrew. In case it's submitted in a different foreign language, the translation should be provided within three months of extension after entering the PCT national phase. This ensures all details are appropriately communicated.

The required official documents for filing a national phase application encompass:

• Power of Attorney: submission of a digitally signed POA within three months after entering the Israeli PCT national phase.
• Assignment Deed: statement providing justification for the applicant's entitlement to the patent when the applicant is not the inventor.
• For non-resident applicants, provision of an address within Israel is necessary.

A notable 40% reduction in fees is available for applications initially submitted in Israel by either an individual applicant or a corporate entity with an annual turnover of less than Israeli new shekel 10 million in the preceding calendar year. This reduction underscores a structured approach to supporting smaller entities in the patent application process.

In the following jurisdiction, patent applications undergo automatic examination in the order they are received, and there is no requirement to submit a request to initiate this process. If expedited examination is needed, applicants are only required to file a request for acceleration under the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program.

The PCT's Patent Prosecution Highway Program.

PCT-PPH stands as a noteworthy component within a plethora of collaborative efforts. Numerous bilateral agreements have been forged among patent offices, championing worksharing initiatives. This facilitates patent applicants to seamlessly seek expedited processing during the national phase. Here, patent examiners can leverage the work products from other offices, creating a dynamic exchange that propels the efficiency of the entire patent examination process. This collaboration ensures a harmonious exchange of valuable insights and resources, enhancing the global landscape of patent processing.

• The written assessment provided by the International Searching Authority,
• The opinion furnished by the International Preliminary Examining Authority, or
• The international preliminary examination report under the PCT, contingent upon the fulfillment of certain conditions.

The Israel Patent Office has entered into PCT-PPH agreements with:

China (CN): China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)

Europe (EP): European Patent Office

After examination and publication in the Patents and Designs Journal, renewal fees for the examined application must be paid to the office. The first fee is due three months from the patent grant. The second fee is due six years from the international filing date, and subsequent fees are due on the 10th, 14th, and 18th anniversaries of the filing date. Alternatively, the entire duration fee can be paid within three months of patent grant.

In this jurisdiction, when a patent is granted, it stays valid for an extensive period of 20 years from the filing date. Essential medicines and medical devices could get extra years of patent protection, up to five years more than the usual 20-year period.

To seek an extension for a patent covering a significant pharmaceutical or medical device, the petition must be lodged with the patent office within 90 days from the date of approval by the Ministry of Health. It's important to note that this 90-day period is non-extendable.

In the Global Innovation Index (GII) of 2021, Israel holds the distinguished 15th position among the 132 featured economies. The GII evaluates and ranks world economies based on their innovation capabilities, utilizing approximately 80 indicators categorized into innovation inputs and outputs. This comprehensive approach aims to capture the multi-dimensional aspects of innovation. Israel's noteworthy placement reflects its substantial prowess in the global landscape of creativity and innovation.

This nation has distinguished itself prominently on the global stage, securing the 15th position worldwide for total patent applications and concurrently achieving a noteworthy 14th standing in applications abroad. Furthermore, it has attained a commendable 14th rank globally for PCT National Phase Entries. This underscores its significant contributions and commendable performance in the realm of international patent activities.