I'PHL January 24,2014
Off ice Order No.~- a1 6 Series of 2014
Subject: Continuation of Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Programs Betwe en the Intellectual Property Office of the Phil ippines (IPOPHL) & the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
On January 29, 2013, the IPOPHL has commenced the PPH 2.0 Pilot Programs (PPH & PCT-PPH) with USPTO. The IPOPHL indicated that both pilot programs would terminate on January 28,2014, but may be extended thereafter. The PPH is a framework in which an application whose claims have been determined to be patentable in the Office of First Filing (OFF) is eligible to go through an accelerated examination in the Office of Second Filing (OSF) with a simp le procedure upon filing of a request.
In order to further assess the feasibility of both the PPH and PCT-PPH Pilot Programs, the USPTO and the IPOPHL have agreed to extend the pilots indefinitely, under the same guidelines.
Inquiries and specific questions about this notice and PPH should be directed to Ms. Cristina P. De Guzman of the Bureau of Patents at telephone number (+63-2) 238-6300 loc. 407 or via email tocristina .dequzman@ipophil.qov.ph.
This Order shall take effect on January 29, 2014.
For guidance.
M /tqt Atty. RI~RDO R. BLANCAFLOR
Director Genera l
Repub lic of the Philippines INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE
Intellectual Property Center, 28 Upper McKin ley Road, McKinley Hill Town Center Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634 Philippines
T: +632-2386300· F: +632-5539480 • www.ipophil.gov.ph