Patent Prosecution Highway Between USPTO and IPOCZ (Pilot)
The Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction With the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic (IPOCZ)
Under the Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a ruling from either the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic (IPOCZ) or the USPTO that at least one claim in an application is patentable may request that the other office fast track the examination of corresponding claims in corresponding applications. The Patent Prosecution Highway will leverage fast-track patent examination procedures already available in both offices to allow applicants in both countries to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently.
As of May 25, 2010, the USPTO has eliminated the fee for the petition to make special under all PPH programs.
The trial period started on 01 October 2012, is set to expire on 30 September 2013, and may be extended if necessary to adequately assess the feasibility of the program. The USPTO and the IPOCZ will evaluate the results of the pilot program to determine whether and how the program should be fully implemented after the trial period. The offices may also terminate the PPH pilot program early if the volume of participation exceeds a manageable level, or for any other reason. Notice will be published if the PPH pilot program will be terminated before the 30 September 2013 date.
View the USPTO Press Release announcing the pilot program.
View the IPOCZ Press Release announcing the pilot program.
Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to USPTO
Fillable Form SB/20CZ (Patent Prosecution Highway Request Form) [PDF]
