How does the Patent Prosecution Highway work?

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) works by allowing applicants to use a favorable ruling from one patent office to request expedited examination in another participating office. According to MPEP 708.02(c):

“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.”

This process helps applicants reach a final disposition more quickly and efficiently than through standard examination procedures.