Top of Notices   (199)  December 31, 2013

US PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Print This Notice 1397 CNOG  751

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)

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

   On July 1, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
commenced a Patent Prosecution Highway pilot program based on Patent
Cooperation Treaty (PCT) work products (PCT-PPH pilot program) with the
Nordic Patent Institute (NPI).  The PCT-PPH pilot program enabled an
applicant who has received a written opinion or an international
preliminary examination report from the NPI 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 Nordic Patent Institute
based on Patent Cooperation Treaty Work Products," 1368 Off. Gaz. Pat.
Office 213 (July 26, 2011).  The USPTO indicated that the PCT-PPH pilot
program would terminate on June 30, 2012, but may 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 NPI 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.

July 23, 2012                                               DAVID J. KAPPOS
                  Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and
                  Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

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