Top of Notices   (179)  December 31, 2013

US PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Print This Notice 1397 CNOG  729

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)

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

   On June 1, 2011, 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
Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV). The PCT-PPH pilot program
enabled an applicant who had received a written opinion or an international
preliminary examination report from the PRV 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 be advanced out of turn for examination. See
notice titled "Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the United
States Patent and Trademark Office and the Swedish Patent and Registration
Office based on Patent Cooperation Treaty Work Products," 1368 Off. Gaz.
Pat. Office 46 (July 5, 2011). The USPTO indicated that the PCT-PPH pilot
program would terminate on May 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 PRV 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.

                                                          TERESA STANEK REA
           Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and
           Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

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