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Although not clearly defined,〔(''Economic Study on Patent Backlogs and a System of Mutual Recognition, Final Report, To the Intellectual Property Office Prepared by London Economics ), January 2010 (pdf, 1,59 MB).〕 the backlog of unexamined patent applications consists, at one point in time, of all the patent applications that have been filed and still remain to be examined. The backlog was said to be 4.2 million worldwide in 2007, and as of 2009 it reportedly continues to grow.〔(Global Symposium for Intellectual Property Authorities ), PCT Newsletter, October 2009, p. 2.〕 Alone, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is reported to have, as of 2009, a backlog of more than 700,000 patent applications.〔Amy Schatz, (''New Chief of Patent Office Takes Aim at a Massive Backlog'' ), The Wall Street Journal (Online), October 10, 2009. Consulted on October 10, 2009.〕 According to Beth Simone Noveck, According to Alison Brimelow, president of the European Patent Office as of 2009, the "backlog of patent applications is counter-productive to legal certainty, and that has a negative effect on the innovation process".〔Kaitlin Mara, (''Brimelow Stresses Need For Better Patent System; Discusses Harmonisation'' ), Intellectual Property Watch, 17 September 2009. Consulted on October 17, 2009.〕 According to a 2010 study by London Economics, "the cost to the global economy of the delay in processing patent applications may be as much as £7.65 billion each year."〔〔(''UK and US announce action plan to reduce global patent backlogs'' ), UKIPO, Press releases 2010, 10 March 2010. Consulted on April 18, 2010.〕 According to former U.S. federal judge Paul R. Michel, in an interview conducted in 2011, "delay is () the greatest problem with the () patent system" and "(USPTO ) desperately needs thousands of additional examiners and new IT systems. Indeed, it has needed them for years."〔(Interview With Chief Judge Paul R. Michel On US Patent Reform ), Intellectual Property Watch, July 19, 2011. Consulted on August 8, 2011.〕 Since 2006, a number of collaborations, known as Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), have been set up between various patent offices, in order to avoid the duplication of search and examination work and ultimately reducing the patent backlog. While politicians are keen to reduce patent backlogs, those applying for patents can often prefer a lengthy 'patent pending' period.〔("Patent Backlogs" ) UK Intellectual Property Office. Accessed 8 March 2012.〕 The delay can benefit the applicant by (i) deferring costs associated with examination and grant; (ii) deferring decisions regarding amendments to the application; and (iii) maintaining uncertainty for competitors as to what scope of protection may eventually be granted. ==See also== *Patent prosecution 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Backlog of unexamined patent applications」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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