PCT patents examined in Finland fast-tracked in the USA

The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (NBPR) has included PCT ISA/IPEA work products in their Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) cooperation program with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Under the PCT-PPH, Finnish patent applicants can refer to the NBPR ISA/IPEA examination results as they request accelerated examination of their patent applications at the USPTO.

The PCT applications will be included in the PPH program starting on January 24, 2011. The PCT-PPH co-operation agreement is a two-year pilot. During the trial period the two offices gauge the interest of applicants and evaluate the positive effect of the PPH on quality and efficiency. In addition to the USA, NBPR has previously launched PPH agreements with five other patent offices.

Detailed instructions on how to request accelerated examination are available on the NBPR website.

Further details:
NBPR Patents and Innovations Line

Mr Pekka Launis, Deputy Director General
Tel. +358 (0) 9 6939 5443

Mr Juha Rekola, Development Director
Tel. +358 (0) 9 6939 5504

Mr Kenneth Gustafsson, Senior Patent Examiner
Tel: +358 (0)9 6939 5720

E-mail: firstname.lastname@prh.fi