Taiwan-US PPH pilot launched
The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme between the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) and the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has commenced, as of September 1, 2011.
The trial period will last for one year before evaluation for full implementation commences. For applicants whose claims have been determined to be allowable in the office of first filing, generally the USPTO, they can undergo an accelerated examination under the PPH in the office of second filing, which in this case is TIPO. It is hoped that the launch of the PPH will alleviate the stress on TIPO’s current 45-month long pendency, especially for invention patent applications.
The requirements for requesting accelerated examination at TIPO under the PPH pilot programmes are as follows:
