Top of Notices   (177)  December 31, 2013

US PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Print This Notice 1397 CNOG  727

Patent Prosecution Highway

Referenced Items (176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267)

(177)           Continuation of the Patent Prosecution Highway
              Pilot Program between the United States Patent and
           Trademark Office and the Israeli Patent Office based on
                   Patent Cooperation Treaty Work Products

   On August 1, 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
commenced a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program based on Patent
Cooperation Treaty (PCT) work products (PCT-PPH pilot program) with the
Israeli Patent Office (ILPO).  The PCT-PPH pilot program enabled an
applicant who has received a written opinion or an international
preliminary examination report from the ILPO as the International Searching
Authority (ISA) or International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA)
indicating that at least one claim in the PCT application has novelty,
inventive step and industrial applicability to have the corresponding
application filed in the USPTO advanced out of turn for examination.  See
"Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the United States Patent
and Trademark Office and the Israeli Patent Office based on Patent
Cooperation Treaty Work Products," 1381 Off. Gaz. Pat. Office 147 (August
14, 2012).  The USPTO indicated that the PCT-PPH pilot program would
terminate on July 31, 2013, but could be extended for an additional time
period thereafter.

   In order to adequately assess the feasibility of the PCT-PPH pilot
program, the USPTO and the ILPO have agreed to collect more information
before any final decision on the program is made.  The pilot has been
extended indefinitely.

   Any inquiries concerning this notice may be directed to Bryan Lin,
Office of PCT Legal Administration, at 571-272-3303, or via e-mail
addressed to bryan.lin@uspto.gov.

   Specific questions about the Patent Prosecution Highway should be
directed to the Office of Petitions at 571-272-3282, or via e-mail
addressed to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.

September 11, 2013                                        TERESA STANEK REA
           Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and
           Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

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