Earlier this week the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the launch of a Patent Prosecution Highway between the two countries. The program allows patent applicants who have received an examination report in one country to request accelerated examination in the other.

The Patent Prosecution Highway is said to reduce the examination workload and patent quality. Similar programs are already in trial between the UK-IPO and Japan Patent Office (JPO), the USPTO and JPO, and the JPO and Korean Intellectual Property Office.**

The trial program between the UK & the USA is planned to run for period of one year until 4 September 2008, but may be extended.

Sources and further information

USPTO Press Release - USPTO and United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office to Pilot Patent Prosecution Highway

UK-IPO Press Release - Patent Highway between the UK and USA opens today

** For further information on the other Patent Prosecution Highway programs:

IP Menu News - UK, Japan & US - Patent Prosecution Highway updates