The Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction With the European Patent Office

Under the Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a ruling from either the European Patent Office (EPO) 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.

The trial period is set to expire 29 September 2009, but may be extended for up to one year or terminated earlier depending on volume of activity and other factors. Both offices will provide notice of any adjustment in the pilot program.

>> View Press Release announcing the pilot program.

>> View the EPO Announcement on the pilot program.

Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to USPTO

• Fillable Form SB/20 EP (Patent Prosecution Highway Request Form) [PDF]
• Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the European Patent Office (signed 22 September 2008) [PDF]
• Revised Requirements for Requesting Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program in the USPTO (Between the USPTO and the EPO) (signed 10 December 2008) [PDF]

Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to EPO

• How to make a request (published by the EPO, includes links to request form)

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