Following the success of the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Japan Patent Office (JPO), a similar program between the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) and the JPO was launched on 2 July 2007. This pilot scheme will run for 12 months.

The program enables applicants whose claims have been determined patentable to have their application in the corresponding country advanced out of turn for examination.

Earlier this year the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and the JPO also launched such a program.

In addition, the USPTO – JPO pilot program has been extended for a further 6 months, after the initial term of a year concluded on 3 July 2007,

The UK-IPO has announced that it is also discussing the possibility of a similar program between the USPTO and itself to be launched later this year

Further Information

UK-IPO Press Release – “Patent Highway between the UK and Japan opens”

USPTO Press Release – “Extension of Patent Prosecution Highway Program between the USPTO and JPO”

JPO – JPO & USPTO Patent Prosecution Highway procedures

JPO – JPO & UK-IPO Patent Prosecution Highway procedures

JPO – JPO & KIPO Patent Prosecution Highway procedures