Request For Participation-(PPH) Pilot Program Between-IMPI-USPTO (EFS-Web Only) {PTO-SB-20MX}

PTO/SB/20MX, REQUEST FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PATENT PROSECUTION HIGHWAY (PPH) PILOT PROGRAM BETWEEN THE MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY (IMPI) AND THE USPTO, Under this pilot program of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), an applicant who receives a positive ruling on a patent claim(s) from either the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) or the USPTO may request accelerated prosecution of corresponding claim(s) in the other office. The PPH allows the applicant to obtain a patentability decision in the office of later examination (OLE) more quickly. Furthermore, the PPH promotes patent application processing efficiency by allowing the examiner in the OLE to reuse the search and examination results from the office of earlier examination, thereby reducing workload and duplication of effort. As of May 25, 2010, the USPTO has eliminated the fee for the petition to make special under the PPH programs. The trial period for this PPH pilot program between the USPTO and the IMPI commenced on July 1, 2015, and has been extended until June 30, 2027. The trial period may be further extended if necessary to adequately assess the feasibility of the updated PPH program. Both offices will continually evaluate the results of the updated PPH program to determine whether and how the program should be modified. The offices also may terminate the updated PPH program early if the volume of participation exceeds a manageable level, or for any other reason. Notice will be published if the updated PPH program will be terminated. Unless the IMPI becomes a Global PPH participating office, any extension or termination of the Global/IP5 PPH program will have no effect on this PPH pilot program. www.FormsWorkflow.com