What is the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is a program designed to speed up the examination process for corresponding patent applications filed in participating patent offices. As stated in MPEP 708.02(c):

“The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) speeds up the examination process for corresponding applications filed in participating patent offices.”

This program allows applicants to leverage favorable rulings from one patent office to expedite examination in another participating office, potentially leading to faster patent grants.

Tags: expedited examination, international patent applications, patent prosecution highway, PPH