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

The PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction With the IP Australia (IPAU)

Under the PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a written opinion or an international preliminary examination report from either the IP Australia (IPAU) 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, which started on 24 January 2011, has been extended indefinitely.

View the USPTO Press Release announcing the pilot program.

View the IPAU Announcement for the pilot program.

PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to USPTO

Fillable Form SB/20PCT-AU (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]

Continuation of the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the USPTO and IP Australia based on Patent Cooperation Treaty Work Products (signed 16 July 2012)

Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and IP Australia based on Patent Cooperation Treaty Work Products (signed 21 January 2011)

PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway Requests to IPAU

Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program: Requirements and Procedures (published by IPAU)

Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program Request Form (published by IPAU)