MOSCOW, August 2 (RAPSI) — Russia has introduced a procedure for preliminary information search and assessment of patentability as to inventions and utility models, the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) press service informs RAPSI.

According to a new federal law, a preliminary information search and preliminary assessment of patentability as to applications for inventions and utility models is being introduced with the involvement of accredited specialized Russian scientific and educational organizations, the statement reads.

The law stipulates that accredited organizations are to be the organizations employing experts competent in the field of information retrieval and assessment of the patentability of technical solutions, for instance institutions of the Russian Academy of Sciences, research institutes, leading universities. Their accreditation will be carried out by Rospatent on a gratuitous basis, according to the body

The new provisions are to be first introduced in pilot areas such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnologies used in medicine, IT technologies, supercomputer and space technologies.

Applicants will be able to use the preliminary information search service on a voluntary basis. The cost of services will be determined by scientific and educational institutions based on the complexity, volume and duration of each information search in contracts concluded between the applicant and organizations. It is also envisaged that state fees may be reduced by 50% in case applicants used examination services with respect to inventions and utility models they wish to patent carried out by accredited organizations.

The authors of the initiative are confident that these changes will increase the attractiveness and convenience of government services provided by Rospatent. Innovative developments will be registered faster and cheaper, the body noted.