Patent Prosecution Highway

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April 2, 2009

Patent Prosecution Highway between the Finnish and Japanese Patent Offices

The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (NBPR) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) have made an agreement that enables accelerating the prosecution of patent applications. Thanks to the agreement, one who has applied for patent in Japan can request for accelerated examination in the Finnish Patent Office if at least one of the claims accepted in Japan corresponds to those filed in Finland. Respectively, one can request for accelerated examination in Japan based on at least one claim accepted in Finland.

The one-year pilot agreement takes effect on April 20, 2009. The agreement is a part of an international Patent Prosecution Highway Programme (PPH). The NBPR intends to make corresponding agreements with other Patent Offices, too.

In case you need any further information, please contact our patent attorneys.