Patent Prosecution Highway Between USPTO and IMPI (Pilot)
The Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction With the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI)
Under the Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a ruling from either the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) 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 the PPH programs.
The trial period started on 01 March 2011 and was originally set to expire on 29 February 2012, but it has been extended for an additional six months to 31 August 2012. Both offices will provide notice of any further adjustment in the pilot program.
View the USPTO Press Release announcing the pilot program.
View the IMPI Press Release for the pilot program in English or Spanish.
Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to USPTO
Fillable Form SB/20MX (Patent Prosecution Highway Request Form) [PDF]
