PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway (PCT-PPH) Pilots
Extension of existing PCT-PPH pilot program (European Patent Office (EPO) and National Institute of Industrial Property of Brazil (INPI))
The already-existing PCT-PPH pilot program between the EPO and the INPI has been extended for five years with effect from 1 December 2024 until 30 November 2029.
Further information is available at:
- https://www.epo.org/en/legal/official-journal/2024/11/a99.html
- https://www.gov.br/inpi/pt-br/servicos/patentes/pph/arquivos/parceiros/epo/mou_pph_inpi_epo_2024_pt_13_11_24_assinado.pdf
New one-way PCT-PPH pilot programs (China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ); European Patent Office (EPO) and Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ))
New one-way PCT-PPH pilot programs started between the CNIPA and IPONZ with effect from 1 November 2024, and between the EPO and IPONZ with effect from 1 December 2024. Under the programs, accelerated processing in the national phase before the IPONZ is available on the basis of a PCT application with a positive written opinion from either the International Searching Authority (ISA) or the International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA), or a positive international preliminary report on patentability (IPRP) (Chapter II) (that is, where at least one of the claims has been determined as patentable), issued by the CNIPA or the EPO in their capacity as ISA/IPEA.
Further information is available at:
- https://english.cnipa.gov.cn/art/2024/10/29/art_1356_195763.html
- https://www.iponz.govt.nz/get-ip/patents/apply/expedited-examination-for-patent-applications/cnipa-pph/
- https://www.epo.org/en/legal/official-journal/2024/11/a98.html
- https://www.iponz.govt.nz/get-ip/patents/apply/expedited-examination-for-patent-applications/european-patent-office-patent-prosecution-highway/
The PCT-PPH page of the PCT website has been updated to include information on these new pilots.