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IP chiefs greenlight new Highway

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The 2 July opening of a patent highway between the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) was hailed as a bold step by the leaders of both institutions on launch day. Recommended by the Gowers Review of UK IP in December last year, the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is set to revolutionise the speed and efficiency of IP activities between the two nations for the forseeable future, breaking through language barriers and cutting down paperwork.

In a UKIPO press release, JPO comissioner, Mr Makoto Nakajima, spoke about the PPH for the first time to a UK outlet. ‘The Patent Prosecution Highway is a significant step in the cooperative efforts of Japan and the UK to streamline patent prosecution and support Japanese and UK industries to acquire patents throughout the world,’ he said.

He added: ‘This initiative between the two countries is expected to further contribute to the realisation of a global patent prosecution highway network.’

UKIPO chief executive, Ian Fletcher, said: ‘The Patent Prosecution Highway is a valuable additional resource for those seeking to protect their intellectual property in both the UK and Japan. I am especially pleased that the improved efficiency and quality expected to arise from the PPH is a direct result of the strong relations that exist between the UK Intellectual Property Office and the Japan Patent Office.

‘The PPH will help the offices in their goal of stimulating and rewarding invention and innovation.’