From July 30, 2020, startups will be able to request to the BPTO that their patent applications be examined with priority. This initiative seeks to help technology-based companies to consolidate themselves in the market, since their patent attest to the originality of their inventions and facilitate their commercialization.

In the end of the first half of 2020, the average decision time for technical examination of priority patent applications was approximately 13 months.

The new priority procedure was approved by the BPTO on June 22, 2020, and the Office also implemented other changes for this type of service. Highlight for the patent processes of science and technology institutions, moving from pilot project to permanent service, with unlimited number of requirements per institution. Previous technology users (owners or not) who are being harmed by filing a subsequent patent application may also request priority processing.

In addition to the above, with the great impact of the pandemic of the new coronavirus in researches, since last April, patent applications for pharmaceutical products and processes and for equipment and/or materials for use in health, for diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 had also an accelerated examination.