By Christopher P. Singer --
In a January 28, 2008 press release, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced that the existing pilot Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) will expire in favor of a permanent PPH which begins on January 29, 2009. Applicants who participate in the PPH and receive a determination that at least one claim is patentable from the initial examining office (either the USPTO or KIPO) can request that the other office fast-track the examination of corresponding claims in the corresponding application.
According to Jung-Sik Koh, Commissioner of the KIPO, the success of the pilot program over the past year, "has confirmed that the PPH significantly expedites the acquisition of patent rights for applicants and enhances the efficiency of administrative work for both offices. The PPH program on a full-time basis will make these benefits permanent and contribute to the development of the PPH network on a global scale."
The PPH program is one part of the cooperation initiative regarding intellectual property rights protection between the USPTO and the KIPO, which is designed to streamline practices and procedures under the international patent system.
The USPTO plans to publish updated requirements for applicants that wish to participate in the USPTO-KIPO PPH through the USPTO on a dedicated page at the USPTO website. The KIPO has also published requirements on its website.
For additional information regarding this and other related topics, please see:
• "'Blueprint' Announced for Work Sharing Initiative Between Five IP Offices," November 6, 2008
• "KIPO Becomes Participating Foreign Office in PDX Program," October 21, 2008
• "Online Priority Document Exchange Service Between USPTO and KIPO," October 9, 2008
• "USPTO and KIPO Sign Memoradum on Cooperative Patent Examination," September 24, 2008
• "USPTO and UKIPO Extend Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program," September 3, 2008
• "Patent Prosecution Highway Network Expands to Canada & Korea," January 29, 2008
• "USPTO Announces Two Additional Partners in the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program," January 17, 2008
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