BRICS patent offices step up cooperation to tackle examination backlogs

BRICS intellectual property offices are deepening cooperation on patent examination, with a study examining ways to streamline processes, reduce backlogs, and improve the exchange of patent search results between member offices.

The development follows the 18th Meeting of the Heads of Intellectual Property Offices of BRICS countries, held in New Delhi from September 1–3 under India’s 2026 BRICS chair-ship.

The three-day meeting was hosted by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), with around 35 delegates participating in person or virtually. Representatives from Russia, Iran, and Ethiopia joined online, while representatives of the other BRICS member IP offices participated in person.

A key item discussed was the Study on Reinforced Patent Examination Cooperation in BRICS, with the meeting noting progress on work intended to streamline examination processes, reduce backlogs, and facilitate greater exchange of patent search results among member offices.

The initiative could be significant for applicants seeking patent protection in multiple BRICS jurisdictions, particularly if greater exchange of search information ultimately helps offices make more efficient use of examination work already undertaken elsewhere.

However, the current initiative does not establish a common BRICS patent examination procedure. The work remains focused on cooperation between national IP offices, including the exchange of information and examination-related practices.

Wider cooperation

Patent examination formed part of a broader program of cooperation discussed at the New Delhi meeting.

The participating offices adopted Updated Operational Guidelines for IP BRICS, intended to promote more results-oriented cooperation, facilitate cross-border innovation, and strengthen joint efforts in shaping global intellectual property standards.

The meeting also highlighted the potential use of patent analytics and landscape studies to support technological development and improve efficiency.

Delegates discussed a proposed Manual of Patent Documentation and Information Resources of BRICS Countries, alongside a number of other initiatives designed to deepen institutional cooperation.

These included the BRICS Industrial Property Commercialization Forum and Best Practices Repository, the BRICS Intellectual Property Awareness Series and the IP BRICS FinTech Innovation Monitor. The program also includes work relating to IP policies and public health and development, as well as research into the design systems of BRICS countries.

The Heads of IP Offices also emphasized the importance of effective coordination and periodic reviews to ensure the implementation and continuity of joint projects within the IP BRICS framework.

India has assumed the 2026 BRICS chair-ship, with the CGPDTM taking the chair-ship of IP BRICS for the year. IP India’s published program shows that cooperation under the framework has included coordination meetings and workshops covering areas such as AI, digital transformation, and IP analytics.

The latest discussions are therefore part of a broader effort to strengthen cooperation between BRICS IP administrations.

For patent applicants, the development will be worth monitoring as the reinforced examination cooperation study progresses. Greater exchange of search results and closer coordination between offices could potentially contribute to more efficient examination across jurisdictions, although the practical impact on prosecution timelines and examination backlogs remains to be seen.

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