The ever expanding PPH (Patent Prosecution Highway) network has once again gotten a new addition, and as always AWA Point sums up the new expansions and arising possibilities.
To recall, for a given PPH agreement the PPH allows for requesting accelerated examination at the one office participating in this agreement based on the search results and a set of claims accepted for grant in an analogous application at the other participating office.
Most recently, European patent applicants are offered a new possibility of speeding up and simplifying examination of their patent applications. Namely, the EPO (European Patent Office) has just announced the signing of a new PPH agreement – this time with the IP office of Brazil. This new PPH agreement will, according to the EPO, enter into force in the beginning of 2018. The announcement may be found here. AWA Point will inform its readers of the actual date of the entry into force.
Furthermore, on 1 October 2017, the PPH agreement between the EPO and the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO)entered into force. The agreement applies to both national and to PCT work products. The EPO’s notification of entry into force may be found here.
An overview of existing and working agreements under the Global PPH at the time of writing can be seen on the PPH website compiled by the Japanese Patent Office, JPO, here.