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MPEP § 708.02(c) — Patent Prosecution Highway Program (Annotated Rules)

§708.02(c) Patent Prosecution Highway Program

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2026-01-17

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 708.02(c), including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Patent Prosecution Highway Program

This section addresses Patent Prosecution Highway Program. Contains: 1 permission and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Statutory Authority for Examination

3 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-708-02-c-7440fa4464ea86270db789b2]
PPH Speeds Up Examination Process
Note:
Participating patent offices can fast track corresponding applications based on a final ruling from another office.

The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) speeds up the examination process for corresponding applications filed in participating patent offices. Under PPH, participating patent offices have agreed that when an applicant receives a final ruling from a first patent office that at least one claim is allowed, the applicant may request fast track examination of corresponding claim(s) in a corresponding patent application that is pending in a second patent office. PPH leverages fast-track examination procedures already in place among participating patent offices to allow applicants to reach final disposition of a patent application more quickly and efficiently than standard examination processing.

Jump to MPEP SourceStatutory Authority for ExaminationExamination ProceduresAllowance Practice
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-708-02-c-cf37d10345c9908adde6117e]
Fast Track Examination Under PPH
Note:
When an applicant receives a final ruling from a first patent office allowing at least one claim, they may request fast track examination of corresponding claims in another participating patent office.

The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) speeds up the examination process for corresponding applications filed in participating patent offices. Under PPH, participating patent offices have agreed that when an applicant receives a final ruling from a first patent office that at least one claim is allowed, the applicant may request fast track examination of corresponding claim(s) in a corresponding patent application that is pending in a second patent office. PPH leverages fast-track examination procedures already in place among participating patent offices to allow applicants to reach final disposition of a patent application more quickly and efficiently than standard examination processing.

Jump to MPEP SourceStatutory Authority for ExaminationExamination ProceduresAllowance Practice
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-708-02-c-7fb72760d9dfa16ad7f54a8b]
Patent Prosecution Highway Allows Faster Examination
Note:
Allows applicants to request fast-track examination of corresponding claims in a second patent office when at least one claim is allowed by the first office.

The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) speeds up the examination process for corresponding applications filed in participating patent offices. Under PPH, participating patent offices have agreed that when an applicant receives a final ruling from a first patent office that at least one claim is allowed, the applicant may request fast track examination of corresponding claim(s) in a corresponding patent application that is pending in a second patent office. PPH leverages fast-track examination procedures already in place among participating patent offices to allow applicants to reach final disposition of a patent application more quickly and efficiently than standard examination processing.

Jump to MPEP SourceStatutory Authority for ExaminationExamination ProceduresAllowance Practice

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2026-01-17