The IP5 Offices launched on 6 January 2014 the comprehensive IP5 PPH Patent Prosecution Highway pilot programme for a period of three years ending on 5 January 2017.

Under the IP5 PPH pilot programme a PPH request can be based

• Either on the latest PCT work product (written opinion of the ISA (WO-ISA) or international preliminary examination report (IPER)) established by one of the IP5 Offices as ISA or IPEA,

• Or on the national work product established during the processing of a national application or a PCT application that has entered the national phase before one of the IP5 Offices, where this work product determines one or more claims to be patentable/allowable.

The PPH leverages fast-track patent examination procedures already available at the offices to allow applicants to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently. It also permits each office to exploit the work previously done by the other office.

Information regarding the IP5 PPH pilot programme is available via the IP5 Offices’ respective websites: