CNIPA extends the PPH pilot project with Iceland and Egypt

China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has agreed with the Icelandic Intellectual Property Office (ISIPO) and the Egyptian Patent Office (EGYPO) to extend the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot projects for an additional five years. This extension will allow applicants to benefit from accelerated patent examination processes in China, Iceland, and Egypt from July 1, 2024, until June 30, 2029.

The main objective of this agreement is to streamline and expedite the patent examination process for applicants and promote cooperation and efficiency among participating intellectual property offices.

Applicants must have a corresponding patent application filed with either the Icelandic or Egyptian Patent Offices. These corresponding applications must have one or more claims determined to be patentable by the respective offices.

Applicants do not need to be nationals of China, Egypt, or Iceland; any applicant with a corresponding patent application can request accelerated examination.

Applicants can request the PPH program for their Chinese patent applications based on the favorable examination results of their Icelandic or Egyptian applications.

The goal is to leverage the work already done by the Icelandic or Egyptian Patent Offices to accelerate the examination process in China.

Benefits

Faster Examination: Reduction in the time required to obtain a patent in China.

Cost Efficiency: Potentially lower costs due to streamlined examination processes.

Global Patent Protection: Enhanced ability to secure patent rights in multiple jurisdictions efficiently. 

This extension offers continued opportunities for quicker patent protection in China, which is beneficial for businesses and inventors seeking to secure their intellectual property rights promptly.

Plus, it encourages filing patents in Iceland and Egypt as part of a broader patent strategy, leveraging their examination results to expedite processes in China. 

Furthermore, it strengthens international cooperation and harmonization of patent examination standards and helps distribute examination workloads more efficiently, potentially improving the quality and consistency of patent grants.

Conclusion

The extension of the PPH pilot projects between CNIPA, the Icelandic Intellectual Property Office, and the Egyptian Patent Office marks a significant step in international patent cooperation. 

It signifies a commitment to fostering innovation and protecting intellectual property across borders, supporting the global movement towards more efficient and collaborative patent systems.

It continues to provide applicants with a valuable tool for accelerated patent examination, ultimately contributing to a more robust and efficient global intellectual property system.

More info the CN-EGYPO PPH program here.