EPO and INPI Brazil PPH pilot extended for another five years

Starting 1 December 2024, applicants with successful outcomes from the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) can benefit from expedited processing at the European Patent Office (EPO) through a newly launched Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot. Additionally, the highly effective PPH pilot with the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI Brazil) will be extended for another five years from the same date.

The programme's scope will also be expanded, with participation conditions for accelerated patent application processing at the EPO now including the latest international search report (ISR), international preliminary examination report (IPER), or international written opinion (WO) issued by INPI in its role as an International Searching Authority (ISA).