On 6 January 2014, patentees will be able to utilise the “Global Patent Prosecution Highway” (GPPH) in seeking to accelerate examination of patent applications in multiple jurisdictions based on allowance of corresponding patent claim(s) in a patent application under substantive examination before a participating patent office.
The GPPH pilot scheme will provide a uniform and simplified administrative framework which complements the multitude of bilateral PPH arrangements already existing between various jurisdictions. Initially, the GPPH pilot scheme will involve 17 participating patent offices and will only be available where certain criteria are met.
Further details regarding implementation of the GPPH are available here.