PPH pilot program between the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the National Institute of Industrial Property of Brazil (INPI)

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the National Institute of Industrial Property of Brazil (INPI) have been implementing the Patent Prosecution Highway pilot program since April 2017.

INPI participates in the Global PPH

On July 6, 2024, the INPI participated in the Global PPH. As a result, starting January 1, 2025, the following changes will apply to the PPH requests filed with the INPI.

(1) Filing restriction based on first application is lifted

Previously, PPH requests filed with the INPI were only accepted if the first application was filed with any of the INPI’s PPH partner Offices. However, this restriction will be lifted starting January 1, 2025.

(2) The acceptable number of PPH requests is increased

Beginning January 1, 2025, the INPI will accept up to 3,200 PPH requests per year from all of its PPH partner Offices, including the JPO. This limit applies to all types of PPH, including Normal PPH, PPH MOTTAINAI, and PCT-PPH.
Additionally, starting January 1, 2025, the number of PPH requests that can be accepted by the INPI for each IPC section will be limited to 1,000 per year.

How to make a request

Guidelines (Requirements and procedures in detail) and Request form for Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)

Press Release

• JPO and INPI Agreed at JPO-INPI Heads Meeting to Renew Japan-Brazil PPH Pilot Program

Japanese Page

[Last updated 6 January 2025]

Contact

Examination Policy Planning Office Administrative Affairs Division Patent and Design Examination Department Japan Patent Office Tel: +81-3-3581-1101 (ex. 3103) E-mail: PA2260@jpo.go.jp