Turning ideas into assets

Patent Prosecution Highways - PPH

For further information regarding PPH, please contact:

Patent Prosecution Highways (PPH) is an initiative that allows you to choose a much speedier processing of your patent application if another patent office has already performed a search and examination for the same invention.

The Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO) takes part in the bilateral co-operation about the so-called Patent Prosecution Highways (PPH), whichtent applicants can use to request a speedier processing of their patent applications.

PPH-logo 

The DKPTO has made PPH programs with patent offices below.

See more information about and the guidelines for using our Patent Prosecution Highways with:

A good overview of all the PPH projects on a global scale, including the various guidelines, brochures, application forms, statistical material etc, can be obtained from the common PPH website offered by the patent offices participating in PPH.

Danish companies' use of PPH is increasing. In 2009, accelerated PPH processing were requested in approximately 25 % of the cases where Danish patent applications were continued at the USPTO. 

What is the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)?

A PPH is a bilateral agreement between the patent offices in two countries. A PPH agreement means that patent applicants can request an accelerated processing of his/her patent application at a patent office of later examination, when a patent office of earlier examination has already found corresponding patent claims allowable.

A PPH establishes a process whereby the office of later examination makes use of the work already carried out by the office of earlier examintion in relation to the same invention. This means that the later office can process the patent application quicker because the examination process begins at a more informed level. This also means that the quality of the search and examination is improved at the later office. It is noted that the later office is not compelled to follow the opinion of the first office. The later office always has the solely responsibility for its grant of patents rights.

The PPH offers patent applicants a considerably accelerated search and examination process. In addition, use of the PPH will generally save resources for the applicants, as the correspondence with the later office can be expected to be less extensive than usual. In addition, the efficiency and quality of the search and examination at the OSF will improve.

PPH is a voluntary option for patent applicants.

The background for the PPH

Globalisation has increased companies’ need to take out patents for the same invention in many countries. As a result, the various patent offices have experienced a significant increase in duplicate search and examinations of patent applications for a single invention.

The PPH is an initiative created to meet the companies' need for a speedier search and examination process and the need for better cooperation among patent offices to ensure efficiency and quality in the search and examination.