Notice on the Applicant-Requested Collaborative Examination System, which took effect on August 21, 2026.

1. Overview of the System

This system allows an applicant (including its representative), after receiving a notice of reasons for refusal from an examiner, to request a collaborative examination by a panel of three examiners when the opinions of multiple examiners are considered necessary or in other appropriate circumstances.

The system is operated in conjunction with the existing “Amendment Review” system. When a collaborative examination by three examiners is requested, the examiner will form a panel of examiners prior to the scheduled Amendment Review interview, and the panel will jointly review the proposed amendment.

Based on the results of the collaborative examination, the examiner will conduct an Amendment Review interview with the applicant (or its representative).

2. How to Apply

When applying for an Amendment Review through “Patent-ro”, the applicant may also request a collaborative examination by three examiners.

※ Patent-ro website → Applications/Filings → Interview Request/Information Submission → Amendment Review → Check “Request for Collaborative Examination by Three Examiners” and provide the reasons for the request

3. Limitations

As 2026 is a pilot implementation period, the total number of applications is limited to 500 cases per year, and each applicant may file no more than five requests.