From 15 July 2011, the UKIPO together with seven other patent offices, including the Japanese Patent (JPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has relaxed the priority requirements for requesting PPH.  This pilot program is scheduled to last for an initial period of one year and is due to expire on 14 July 2012. 

The so called "MOTTAINAI" pilot will allow PPH requests to be filed for second patent applications based on the examination results of an application at a first patent office, regardless of the order in which the various applications were filed or the original priority claimed by the applications.  This pilot therefore lifts the previous restrictions on both the order of filing of the patent applications and the countries from which the applications initially claim priority.  The pilot will affect the PPH agreements between the UKIPO and the JPO/USPTO who have all signed up to the MOTTAINAI pilot. 

For further information please contact Dehns.