USPTO-APO Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program

Thanks to Bill Bennett of Pizzeys in Australia for pointing out that the USPTO has signed another Pilot Patent Prosecution Highway Program with the Australian Patent Office. According to Bill,

Like the PPH Programs already in place between the USPTO and the JPO, UKIPO,
CIPO & KIPO, this pilot PPH Program will allow an applicant with claims which have been indicated allowable in the US to fast-track the prosecution of corresponding claims in Australia. This new mechanism will be attractive to US clients who are (a) happy with the scope of protection indicated allowable in the USPTO, and (b) keen to fast-track prosecution of corresponding claims in the APO.

Under the PPH, an applicant receiving a report from either the USPTO or IP Australia with at least one patentable claim in an application may request that the other office accelerate the examination of the corresponding application. The applicant benefits from the patent offices using the work previously conducted by the other office, by obtaining corresponding patents faster and more efficiently.

Full requirements for participation in the trial program can be found at www.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/international/pph_uspto.shtml

For more information, click here to read the media release