The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office continues to foster relationships with various intellectual property offices around the world. The USPTO recently announced a new Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) with the patent office of the Czech Republic, and the planned launch of two additional PPHs with the patent offices of the Philippines and Portugal early this year.
Under the PPH, a patent applicant who receives a ruling from the Office of First Filing (OFF) that at least one claim in an application is patentable may request that the Office of Second Filing (OSF) fast track the examination of corresponding claims in applications filed in the OSF. The goal is to allow applicants to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently.
The PPH is particularly advantageous for individuals and companies seeking to simultaneously protect their patent rights in various countries around the world. As detailed by the USPTO, the program offers the following benefits:
- ·Accelerated Examination: Examination generally takes place within two to three months from the grant of the PPH request, so long as the application has completed pre-exam processing and is ready for examination.
- ·Greater Efficiency: More than 90 percent of PPH cases are allowed, whereas the allowance rate for non-PPH cases is less than 50 percent.
- ·Decreased Costs of Prosecution: On average, PPH cases have fewer actions per disposal when compared to non-PPH cases, which saves both applicants and Offices time and expense. The USPTO also eliminated the petition fee in May 2010, making PPH programs an affordable option.
- ·Reduced Pendency: The PPH enables applications filed in multiple jurisdictions to be fast tracked based on another Office’s work product.
The USPTO has PPH agreements with various Intellectual Property Offices around the world. For information, requirements and request form for each of the PPH programs, click on the links below:
How Can I Help?
As the world becomes more interconnected, protecting your intellectual property in foreign countries can be the key to business success. To find out more about the PPH and other tools available to protect your IP overseas, contact me today for a free consultation.
If you need help to protect or patent your ideas and need to do it as fast as possible, or know someone that can use my help, please contact me for a free 30 minute consultation at nvantreeck@usip.com or call TOLL FREE at 1-855-UR IDEAS (1-855-874-3327) and ask for Norman.
– Ex astris, scientia –
I am and avid amateur astronomer and intellectual property attorney. As a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, I am a proud member of the Armed Service Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association working to aid all active duty and veterans in our communities. Connect with me on Google +
Norman