The Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction With the IP Australia

Under the Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a ruling from either the IP Australia (IPAU) 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 14 April 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 IPAU Announcement on the pilot program.

Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to USPTO

• Fillable Form SB/20 AU (Patent Prosecution Highway Request Form) [PDF]
• Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the IP Australia (signed 31 March 2008) [PDF]

Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to IPAU

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

Some contents linked to on this page require a plug-in for PDF files.