Latin American countries establish pilot PPH
A joint IP initiative of Latin American countries has launched an agreement to expedite patent examination.
PROSUR–a coalition of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay that aims to support and harmonise IP rights—has established a pilot patent prosecution highway (PPH), according to a statement by law firm Di Blasi, Parente & Associados.
The pilot PPH will last until July 31, 2018.
“The programme will certainly have an impact on the flow of technology between the members of PROSUR, allowing a higher level of economic interaction within South America,” the statement read.
Under the programme, patent applicants can request expedited analysis of their applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and Paris Convention.
The statement added: “When a patent request is filed under the PCT system directly in a receiving office of a PROSUR country, and the receiving office issues a favourable analysis of patentability, it can be used in the national phase of the patent applications in other PROSUR countries.”
Brazil has already entered into pilot PPH projects with other jurisdictions, including Japan and the US.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox
Today’s top stories:
Screenwriter defeated at Ninth Circuit in Shakespeare suit
Sausage brand cleared of infringement in meaty battle
Qualcomm seeks ban of iPhone imports in latest twist in patent tussle
