On February 23, 2016, the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) published the rules of the Pilot Program for prioritization of patent examination when the applicant is a microenterprise or a small company. The Program is also known as MPE.

The Pilot MPE Program began on February 23, 2016 and will last for a period of 1 (one) year, or until 300 such applications have been filed. The request for prioritized examination is free of charge.

In order to benefit from the Pilot MPE Program, the applicant must be a Microenterprise (Brazilian “ME”) or a Small Business (Brazilian “EPP”), further to Article 3 of Law No. 123 of December 14, 2006.

For additional information, please see the BPTO’s website at http://www.inpi.gov.br/noticias/inpi-oficializa-projeto-que-prioriza-exame-de-patentes-de-micro-e-pequenas-empresas

 

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