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The USPTO is currently evaluating the effectiveness of our PPH 2.0 program with Nicaragua as a means for accelerating patent examination in Nicaragua. At present, we caution against relying on the PPH 2.0 program for accelerated examination in Nicaragua.
Under this pilot program of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), an applicant receiving a ruling from either the Nicaraguan Registry of Intellectual Property (NRIP) or the USPTO that at least one claim in an application is patentable may request that the other office fast track the examination of corresponding claims in corresponding applications. This PPH program will leverage fast-track patent examination procedures already available in both offices to allow applicants in both countries to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently.
As of May 25, 2010, the USPTO has eliminated the fee for the petition to make special under the PPH programs.
The USPTO has implemented PPH 2.0 with respect to the NRIP. PPH 2.0 simplifies the PPH requirements and procedures in a consolidated and user-friendly framework, while at the same time ensuring that work sharing benefits to the USPTO are not diminished. It is important to note that PPH 2.0 has only been implemented at the USPTO at this time, i.e., unilaterally.
The PPH 2.0 program commenced with respect to the NRIP on September 5, 2013, and will run indefinitely. The USPTO and the NRIP will evaluate the results of the PPH 2.0 program to determine whether and how the program should be fully implemented. The offices may terminate the program if the volume of participation exceeds a manageable level or for any other reason. Notice will be published if the PPH 2.0 program will be terminated with respect to the NRIP.
Fillable Form SB/20 NI (Patent Prosecution Highway Request Form) [PDF]
Requirements for the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program to Implement PPH 2.0 with the Nicaraguan Registry of Intellectual Property (signed 12 September 2013)
How to make a request at the NRIP
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