Patent Prosecution Highway Between USPTO and IMPI (Permanent)
The Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction With the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI)
Under the Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a ruling from either the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) or the USPTO that at least one claim in an application is patentable may request that the other office fast track the examination of corresponding claims in corresponding applications. The 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 Patent Prosecution Highway in conjunction with the IMPI started as a pilot program from 01 March 2011 to 31 August 2012. The program has now been fully implemented on a permanent basis from 01 September 2012.
View the original USPTO Press Release announcing the pilot program.
View the IMPI Press Release regarding full implementation of the program.
View the original IMPI Press Release for the pilot program in English or Spanish.
Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to USPTO
Fillable Form SB/20MX (Patent Prosecution Highway Request Form) [PDF]
Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to IMPI
How to make a request at the IMPI (published by the IMPI)
