The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)
pilot program is being established between the United States Patent
and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
This program will allow applicants whose claims are determined to
be patentable in the office of first filing to have the
corresponding application that is filed in the office of second
filing be advanced out of turn for examination. At the same time,
this program will allow the office of second filing to exploit the
search and examination results of the office of first filing, which
will increase examination efficiency and improve patent quality.
This information collection includes one proposed form, Request for
Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program
Between the JPO and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20), which may be used by
applicants to request participation in the pilot program and to
ensure that they meet the program requirements. The USPTO believes
that the primary respondents will be businesses or other
for-profits, but not-for-profit institutions may also submit
information under this collection.
The program change is due to
the establishment of a new pilot program between the USPTO and the
JPO that will allow patent applicants who have filed an application
in one office to request accelerated examination of the application
in the other office if the application meets certain requirements
and the required petition fee is paid.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.