Request for Accelerated Search Report in National Patent Applications

Request for Accelerated Search Report in National Patent Applications: Expediting the Patent Process

Patent applications are crucial to obtain the protection of an invention and grant the inventor legal rights. However, this process can be time-consuming and may pose challenges, particularly for applicants who seek expedited results. The Request for Accelerated Search Report, implemented in 2024, was introduced as a mechanism to address this issue. This service, provided by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (“TURKPATENT”), enables applicants to have their patent applications’ search reports established more quickly.

What is the Request for Accelerated Search Report?

The Request for Accelerated Search Report enables applicants to have their patent applications’ search reports established more quickly. To accelerate the process of establishment a search report, the applicant must submit this request to TURKPATENT. This request facilitates the establishment of the search report in a shorter timeframe. Applicants aim to accelerate the evaluation of their patentability criteria, such as novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, through this request.

Procedure for Requesting an Accelerated Search Report

The framework of accelerated prosecution is governed by The Procedures and Principles of the “Accelerated Search Report Request” published by TURKPATENT. These essential guidelines empower applicants to navigate the process efficiently and effectively, as outlined below:

Article 5

1. To request an accelerated search report, the applicant must submit the request and pay the fee for request an accelerated search report in addition to the fee for request a search report specified in the official fee tariff of TURKPATENT. If the payment is not made, the request will be deemed not submitted.

2. The request for an accelerated search report may be submitted simultaneously with the request for a search report or at a later stage.

3. Upon submission of the request, the search report shall be established within six months from the date of the request for an accelerated search report with no formal deficiencies, or from the date the deficiencies are remedied for applications with formal deficiencies. After the search report is established, the procedures shall continue in accordance with Article 96 of the Law.

4. If the search report is not issued within the six-month period specified in Article 5, paragraph 3, the applicant may withdraw the request for an accelerated search report and request a refund of the fee.

The Request for Accelerated Search Report can be submitted to TURKPATENT at the time of the patent application in the following ways:

• Request for Search Report + Request for Accelerated Search Report

• Request for Search and Examination Reports + Request for Accelerated Search Report



Alternatively, after the formal examination has positive conclusion, the request may be submitted as follows:

• Request for Search Report + Request for Accelerated Search Report

• Request for Search and Examination Reports + Request for Accelerated Search Report

Beneficial Effect of the Request for Accelerated Search Report on the Patent Process

According to TURKPATENT’s service standards, search and examination reports are generally expected to be established within 9 to 18 months, depending on the scope of the invention. However, upon receiving the request for accelerated search report, TURKPATENT completes the search report in a significantly shorter period.

A recent case has demonstrated the effectiveness of this request, as a search report was issued within just one week following a request for an accelerated search report. This highlights the substantial impact of the accelerated search request on the application process and its ability to accelerate proceedings significantly.

Erdem KAYA
Patent & Trademark Attorney
Senior IP Specialist