As reported in earlier posts (here and here), a bill to amend the Israel patent statute to institute, among other things, 18-month publication of patent applications has been in the works for some time. Last week the Knesset enacted the bill, which became law with its publication on July 12. In addition to establishing publication for all patent applications that are pending as of 18 months from the earliest priority date (including those filed before the bill became law), the amendments officially acknowledge the ability of third parties to submit prior art, and enable third parties to request expedited examination of others' patent applications. A more detailed analysis of the amendments will follow in a later posting.
As of this writing, there is no word from the ILPTO via its web site or its e-mail distribution list about the amendments, but such comment will no doubt be forthcoming: for several months the ILPTO has been preparing for adoption of this legislation by organizing and scanning patent file histories, and as the 18-month publication requirement appears to have immediate effect and does not appear to require implementing regulations, publication of pending applications (i.e. the making available of file histories on-line via the ILPTO's web site) should begin soon.