How to file a PPH request using “Explanation of Circumstances Concerning Accelerated Examination” and “PPH Request Form”

To file a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) request with the JPO, the applicant must submit an “Explanation of Circumstances Concerning Accelerated Examination” by attaching a “Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program” (PPH Request Form)*.

How to complete a PPH Request Form

For how to complete a PPH Request Form, the web form is open to the public on the JPO’s web page. Please download from the following link to use the form.

• A Web Form for PPH Request Form (Updated as of August 6, 2021) (ZIP:115KB)
• How to use a web form for PPH Request Form (PDF:2,657KB）

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is also available online for your reference.

When the PPH Request Form cannot be used for technical reasons, PPH can be requested by directly completing an “Explanation of Circumstances Concerning Accelerated Examination.”

How to complete an Explanation Form

For how to complete an Explanation of Circumstances Concerning Accelerated Examination, the completion example and notes therefor are available online.

Common notes for online and paper filing

• All documents required to be submitted (incl. all office actions, claims indicated as patentable, documents cited by OEE examiner, claim correspondence table) must be mentioned in either “VI. List of names of documents omitted to be submitted” of a PPH Request Form or “List of submitted documents” of an “Explanation of Circumstances Concerning Accelerated Examination.” Please note that the names of all documents required to be submitted need to be provided whether or not documents are omitted.

Notes on how to complete “Explanation Form” for online filing

• The “Content” of the “The list of attached documents” is completed by entering text or attaching image, but ruled lines cannot be drawn. To submit a claim correspondence table, attach it as image or enter its text without ruled lines.
• Document names must be the same in “The name of the document” under “The list of submitted documents” and “The list of attached documents.”
• ”The name of the document” must be 50 letters or shorter and must not contain any spaces. If a space is necessary, give a general name such as “Attachment 1” and provide a precise name in the field of “1. Circumstances.”

Completion examples of “Explanation Form” for online filing

The form must be filled in Japanese.

• <Normal PPH> PPH request based on USPTO’s examination results and with multiple corresponding applications
• <Normal PPH> PPH request based on EPO’s examination results and with both documents submitted and omitted to be submitted
• <PCT-PPH> PPH request based on international work products by KIPO and with documents omitted by reference to documents previously submitted
• <PCT-PPH> PPH request based on international work products by CNIPA, without national application number, and with both documents submitted and omitted to be submitted
• <PCT-PPH> PPH request based on international work products by the JPO

<Normal PPH> PPH request based on USPTO’s examination results and with multiple corresponding applications

Contents of examples

<Normal PPH> PPH request based on EPO’s examination results and with both documents submitted and omitted to be submitted

Contents of examples

<PCT-PPH> PPH request based on international work products by KIPO and with documents omitted by reference to documents previously submitted

Contents of examples

<PCT-PPH> PPH request based on international work products by CNIPA, without national application number, and with both documents submitted and omitted to be submitted

Contents of examples

<PCT-PPH> PPH request based on international work products by the JPO

Contents of examples

[Last updated 30 June 2022]

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