The Israel Patent Office (ILPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) are cooperating in the framework of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot using the Patent Cooperation Treaty’s work products (PCT-PPH). The pilot, which started on January 6, 2015 has been recently extended until January 5, 2021, under same terms and conditions, the main details of which are as follows:

–          under the PPH pilot program, an applicant whose claims have been determined allowable/patentable in an application filed in either the ILPO or the EPO may request that the other office fast-track the examination of corresponding claims in a corresponding application.

–          under the PCT-PPH pilot program, an applicant receiving a favorable written opinion or an international preliminary examination report from either the ILPO or the EPO, with respect to at least one claim in a PCT application may request that the other office fast-track the examination of corresponding claims in a corresponding national application.

Webb & Co. is continuously monitoring the option for fast-track examinations, worldwide, and recommending it to our clients, when appropriate.