PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Between USPTO and PRV (Pilot)

The PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction with the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV)

Under the PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a written opinion or an international preliminary examination report from either the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) or the USPTO that at least one claim in a PCT application has novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability may request that the other office fast track the examination of corresponding claims in corresponding applications.  The PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway will leverage fast-track patent examination procedures already available in both offices to allow applicants in both countries to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently.

As of May 25, 2010, the USPTO has eliminated the fee for the petition to make special under the PPH programs.

The trial period started on 01 June 2011 and is set to expire 31 May 2013, but may be extended for additional time or terminated earlier depending on volume of activity and other factors.  Both offices will provide notice of any adjustment in the pilot program.

View the USPTO Press Release announcing the pilot program.

View the PRV Press Release for the pilot program in English or Swedish.

PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to USPTO

Fillable Form SB/20PCT-SE (PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Request Form) [PDF]

Fillable Form SB/20PCT-US (PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Request Form for a U.S. application where the USPTO was the ISA or IPEA) [PDF]

Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Swedish Patent and Registration Office based on Patent Cooperation Treaty Work Products (signed 08 June 2011)

PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to the PRV

How to make a request at the PRV (published by the PRV - English)

How to make a request at the PRV (published by the PRV - Swedish)