Wed Oct 16 17:26:18 UTC 2024: ## Brazil Joins Global Patent Prosecution Highway, Streamlining Patent Applications

**Brasília, Brazil** – The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) has joined the Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH), a significant step towards faster patent examination and a more attractive intellectual property environment for Brazil. This move expands the reach of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program, a bilateral partnership between intellectual property offices worldwide that expedites patent application processing.

Previously, Brazil’s participation in the PPH was limited to 800 requests per year, with several restrictions on eligible applications. This resulted in a bottleneck for companies with large patent portfolios.

However, by joining the GPPH, Brazil now has access to a network of 35 partner offices, including leading institutions like the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the European Patent Office (EPO). This expansion significantly increases the number of offices eligible for accelerated examination.

The GPPH aims to accelerate patent examination by sharing examination results from participating offices, potentially reducing the time for a decision from the BPTO from 3.5 years to approximately 136 days.

“This is a major step forward for innovation in Brazil,” said a spokesperson for the BPTO. “The GPPH will allow us to process patent applications more efficiently and effectively, ultimately boosting innovation and economic growth.”

The BPTO anticipates reviewing the limitations of the current program, potentially removing the weekly request limit and expanding eligibility for applications filed outside of partner countries. These changes are expected to take effect after the publication of a new ordinance, with the date yet to be announced.

This development is expected to increase the number of PPH requests in Brazil, making the country a more attractive destination for patent applications and fostering a more competitive intellectual property landscape.

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