EPO extends Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme with IP Australia
With effect from 1 July 2019, the European Patent Office (EPO) will be extending its PPH pilot programme with IP Australia, thus enabling applicants at both offices to continue obtaining patents more quickly and efficiently.
The PPH pilot programme is being extended for three years until 30 June 2022, and the current conditions and requirements for participation will continue to apply.
The trial with Australia was initially launched in July 2016.
The EPO's PPH portfolio
In addition to this programme, the EPO has operational PPH pilot programmes with the IP5 offices (the grouping of the world's five largest IP offices, made up of the EPO and the patent offices of China, Japan, Korea, and the US), as well as with the national patent offices of Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore and the Eurasian Patent Office.
Further information
- Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme between the European Patent Office and IP Australia based on PCT and national work products (EPO Official Journal, June 2019)
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