August 08, 2018

News about the PPH pilot programmes

On August 1, 2018, the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) and the Brazilian Intellectual Property Office (INPI) finally launched the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme. According to the Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed by the UKIPO and the INPI on March 28, 2018, each Office will accept for consideration under the PPH up to 100 applications a year. The agreement is initially concluded for two years or until each Office receives 200 PPH requests, whichever occurs first.

Besides, the PPH agreement between the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) has been prolonged for another three-year term till June 30, 2021. The CIPO and the IMPI started cooperating under the PPH back in 2014, and the pilot programme proved itself to be fully functional and time-saving for both of the Offices. Notably, the accelerated examination under the PPH at the CIPO remains free of charge for the applicants.

The PPH agreement makes it possible for the patent offices to reduce workload and to conduct the substantive examination in short order. Consequently, using the benefits of the programme allows applicants to obtain their patents faster and at a lower cost.

Author: Jessica Chester
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