UK Intellectual Property Office Introduces 'Green Channel'

The UK Intellectual Property Office has announced a new ‘Green Channel’. UK patent applications for green and environmentally friendly inventions can now be accelerated on request.  All that is necessary is to make a reasonable assertion that the invention in the patent application is one which has some environmental benefit. Provided that the reasons which are given are found to be acceptable, search, examination and, where relevant, publication, can all be accelerated.

This new practice came into force on 12 May 2009 and applies not only to new applications but also to currently pending applications.