The Canadian Intellectual Property Office announced last week that the new clean-tech patent rules are now in force. The new rules officially came into force on March 3, 2011. This will permit applicants to obtain expedited prosecution of applications when the invention is related to green technology. This requires a declaration by the applicant that the technology, when commercialized, would help to “resolve or mitigate environmental impacts or conserve the natural environment and resources”.  For further information, see CIPO’s page on Expedited Examination of Patent Applications Related to Green Technology

Related Reading:
CleanTech & Clean Energy: Innovation vs Patents

CleanTech in Calgary

The National Post interviewed Richard Stobbe for an article on the plan to fast-track cleantech patent applications: “Canada plays catch-up on cleantech patents“

Calgary – 07:00 MDT