On 8th June 2024, the African Regional Intellectual Property
Organization (ARIPO) and the China National Intellectual Property
Administration (CNIPA) embarked on a significant initiative aimed
at facilitating and expediting the patent examination process. This
collaboration, known as the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot
program, is set to run for five years, concluding on 7th June 2029.
The PPH pilot was first started between the JPO and the USPTO as
far back as 2006. To date, however, the number of IP offices
participating in the PPH programme has steadily increased to now 55
offices.
Overview of the PPH Program
The PPH program is strategically designed to allow applicants,
whose patent applications have been reviewed and approved by either
CNIPA or ARIPO (referred to as the Office of Earlier Examination),
to seek accelerated examination of a corresponding application at
the other office (referred to as the Office of Later Examination).
This bilateral
