CNIPA & EPO Launch Bilateral PPH Pilot Programme

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the European Patent Office (EPO)) have launched a bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme, which has commenced as of 1 August 2026.

The programme enables applicants who receive a positive patentability ruling from one of the offices (the first office), specifically, with subject matter of at least one claim of its patent application at issue found to be patentable, to request fast-tracked examination of a corresponding application pending at the other office by using the examination results of the first office, potentially resulting in significant shortening of the time to grant.

Although this PPH programme is initially structured as a pilot, it will operate for an indefinite period and may be suspended, amended or terminated by mutual agreement. This CNIPA-EPO programme operates alongside the existing IP5 PPH pilot, and there are no official administrative fees associated with filing a PPH acceleration request at either the CNIPA or the EPO.  

This initiative is expected to benefit especially sectors characterised by standard-essential patents (SEPs), including telecommunications and advanced electronics. Faster prosecution may enable companies to obtain patent rights sooner and strengthen licensing positions, while providing greater certainty regarding the status of their patent applications. 

Since the launch of its first PPH pilot programme in November 2011, CNIPA has established PPH cooperation with patent offices in 38 countries or regions.