The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN) has announced that it received 10 requests under the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) during the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025. This marks the final year of Phase 3 of the bilateral PPH pilot program between the two offices.
With this update, the total number of PPH requests received at the IPVN during Phase 3 (1 June 2023 – 31 May 2025) stands at 39. Notably, 29 requests were filed in the first year of Phase 3, compared to only 10 in the second year, reflecting a decrease in filings.
Despite a slight downward trend in the final year of Phase 3, the overall number of PPH requests in this phase exceeds the total of 29 requests submitted during Phase 2 (2021–2023). This suggests a modest but overall upward trend in the use of the PPH pilot program for Korean-origin applications in Vietnam.
Looking ahead, the PPH pilot program has been extended into Phase 4, which will span three years (1 June 2025 – 31 May 2028) (see here). Under the continued framework, the IPVN and the KIPO will continue to accept up to 100 PPH requests annually, maintaining the program as a useful option for applicants seeking to expedite patent examination through cooperation between the two offices.
By Luu Thi Trang
Patent Department
