Recently, ARIPO and China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) launched the PPH patent examination highway.
To file a PPH request with ARIPO, the applicant must file a request for accelerated examination in English on Form 13b and attach all relevant documents. A PPH request must be filed at the same time as a request for substantive examination or before a PPH request.
ARIPO will treat requests for accelerated examination under the program as requests for accelerated examination under the Harare Protocol. The examination of ARIPO patent applications that meet the accelerated examination requirements will take into account the search report and examination opinion issued by CNIPA. ARIPO patent applications under the program will be examined in accordance with the Harare Protocol, the Implementing Regulations and the Examination Guidelines.
The program will be planned to have a five-year trial period from June 8, 2024 to June 7, 2029. ARIPO and CNIPA may extend the pilot period as needed.