Written by: Ephraim Zachary Heiliczer, Ph.D
The Israel Patent Office has published a proposal for public comment that would change how applicants get to grant. The proposal is still pending, but it already shows a clear pro-applicant stance. The Office wants to make examination simpler and faster without lowering its standards.
What is proposed
The One Day Allowance (ODA) track would replace months of written office actions and responses with a single working day. The applicant’s patent attorney would meet the examiner directly and agree on claims that can be allowed. Issues that usually take several rounds to resolve, such as claim wording, clarity or scope, could be settled in one focused discussion. If no agreement is reached, examination simply continues as usual and the applicant’s rights are not affected.
For applicants filing first in Israel
For Israeli innovators, ODA could make Israel the first country to grant the patent.
- An early, solid grant: applicants would know the scope of their protection early, which helps with investors, licensing and enforcement.
- A launchpad abroad: claims allowed in Israel can support fast-track Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) requests in other patent offices, which speeds up the international portfolio.
- Lower costs at an early stage: fewer rounds of written argument means lower costs when budgets are tightest.
For foreign applicants
ODA applies to PCT national phase applications as well as direct national filings. Together with section 17(c) of the Patents Law, it gives foreign applicants two complementary routes to a fast Israeli grant:
- Already granted abroad? Under section 17(c), an applicant holding a corresponding patent in a recognized country (such as the US or the EPO) can get allowance in Israel based on that grant.
- Not granted abroad yet, or want claims tailored to Israel? ODA would let the application move ahead in Israel without waiting for other offices.
- No need to travel: the applicant’s Israeli patent attorney handles the discussion day, in person or by video conference, and agrees claims on the applicant’s behalf based on instructions given in advance.
The takeaway
The ODA proposal shows that the Israel Patent Office is committed to efficient, collaborative examination that works in the applicant’s favor. This is true whether the applicant is an Israeli company filing at home first or a foreign applicant entering Israel through the national phase. We will keep you updated as the initiative moves forward. In the meantime, contact us to discuss the fastest route to grant for your applications.
