THE BACKLOG OF PATENT IN BRAZIL: THE RIGHT TO REASONABLE DURATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

Abstract

Brazilian Patent Office (INPI) has been facing a huge backlog of patent applications. The patent granting time in Brazil has increased four years in one decade, reaching 10.8 years in 2013. The backlog (pendency) reduces the effectiveness of the patent system causing an environment of legal uncertainty, distorting the main purpose of the patent system that is the promotion of economic and technological development of the country. Thus, the research proposal is to describe and analyze the evolutionary framework of patent applications pending examination at INPI from 2010 to 2013. As specific objectives, the research not only seeks alternatives already adopted in other countries which can be used by the INPI to reduce the backlog of patents as well as discuss the appropriate legal solution for the defense of the right of the applicant to the reasonable duration of the administrative procedure. The research was developed through empirical and deductive method, recurring to doctrine, periodicals, scientific papers, management reports of INPI and main INAPI of the world (USPTO, EPO, JPO and KIPO), jurisprudence and legislation.

Backlog; patents; innovation; INPI/INAPI; administrative procedure; economic development