The purpose of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is to speed up processing of patent applications through the exchange und mutual use of work results.
This scheme enhances the efficiency of the patent examining process while maintaining the quality of examination.
The DPMA currently runs PPH pilots with the following offices: Japan Patent Office (JPO), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (SIPO), United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO).
Participation in the pilot programmes is subject to a request. The request form, the guidelines for participation in the respective pilot programmes, the press releases and information published by the partner offices can be downloaded here:
Applicants can request accelerated examination at the office of second filing if the patent application was previously filed at the partner office and at least one claim had been determined to be allowable by that office. In this case, the work results of the respective offices will be exchanged and mutually used. The applicant has the advantage of receiving the first office action in relation to the patent application within nine months from the receipt of the PPH request and the necessary documents at the office of second filing.
About the background of the PPH pilots: If an applicant files patent applications for the same invention in many countries, the patent offices will conduct searches and examine the patent applications independently. It is the objective of the pilot programmes to explore to what extent the search / examination results can be mutually used. Additionally, an accelerated examination should be made available to applicants.
Neither the DPMA nor the partner office are bound by the decisions of the respective other authority. The examination at the DPMA will of course continue to be governed by the German patent law and the applicable ordinances.
Further information
If you have any questions, you are welcome to send us an e-mail (PPH.Info@dpma.de).
© 2012 Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt | Last updated 16/05/12
