On May 24, 2006, the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the launching of a new pilot program called the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) which will begin on July 3, 2006. This program will make full use of patent examination procedures already available in both offices, with a view to allow participants in both countries to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently. The program aims to reduce duplication of search procedures by ‘work-sharing,’ thus decreasing the examination workload, and improving on speed and patent quality.
Under the program, an application whose claims are determined to be patentable in the Office of First Filing (OFF) will undergo an accelerated examination in the Office of Second Filing (OSF) with corresponding claims and applications. The request form and the full requirements for participation can be found at www.jpo.go.jp/torikumi_e/t_torikumi_e/highway_pilot_program_e.htm.

During the trial period, the two Offices will assess the requirements of the PPH and its operating procedures. The trial is also intended to familiarize applicants and examiners with the PPH scheme and procedures.

The pilot program will run for a year ending July 3, 2007. The Offices aim to commence full implementation immediately after completion of a post trial evaluation. The pilot may be extended for up to one year if the Offices agree that more time is needed to adequately assess the program’s feasibility. Either Office can terminate the pilot if the volume of participation exceeds manageable levels. Participating parties will, of course, receive adequate notice of any changes to the projected pilot period.~