The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) have extended the PPH pilot program for Phase 4, which will run for three years, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028. This follows the completion of Phase 3 (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025).
The key details for Phase 4 remain as follows:
At the IPVN: A maximum of 200 PPH requests will be accepted per year. Each year is divided into two stages:
– The first stage runs from April 1 to September 30, with a cap of 100 PPH requests.
– The second stage runs from October 1 to March 31 of the following year, accepting the remaining requests within the 200-request limit.
– The requirements for filing a PPH request remain unchanged.
At the JPO: There is no limit on the number of PPH requests.
Although applicant interest in the program has declined (see here), it remains a valuable mechanism for accelerating patent examination in Vietnam. Consequently, the program has been extended.
By Luu Thi Trang
Patent Department
