On this page
- Before you start
- Prepare the application form and supporting documents
- Submit the request
- After you submit a request
1. Before you start
Before you submit a request for accelerated examination under the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), make sure you meet the following administrative requirements for entry:
- A compliant request for examination was made
- The application is open to public inspection
- No substantial examination has begun
2. Prepare the application form and supporting documents
Prepare the following documents:
- a cover letter to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) that includes a request for accelerated examination under the PPH
- if you are submitting other documents in addition to your PPH request, you can use a single cover letter that includes your request for accelerated examination under PPH. Multiple cover letters are not required.
- a completed PPH request form and relevant supporting documents
Download the application form
PPH application form
(PDF: 186 KB; 2 pages)
To download the PDF:
- Right-click on the link above and select Save link as or Save target as.
- Save the PDF to your computer before filling it out.
Tips for submitting and preparing a request
Clearly indicate "PPH" in the upper right corner of each page of the cover letter.
The PPH request form should be the first document on top when submitted with a request for examination, a voluntary amendment or a request to have an application opened to public inspection before the expiry of the confidentiality period.
When you submit a PPH request together with a request to have an application opened to public inspection before the expiry of the confidentiality period, please note that the performance target for providing a first action in response to a PPH request is calculated from the date the application is laid open (rather than the date of the PPH request).
If the PPH request includes one of the following, indicate in writing that the translated claims and the claims on file are identical rather than submitting 2 sets of identical claims:
- a translation of the claims indicated as allowable by a PPH partner office (the translated claims are identical to the claims on file at CIPO)
- a voluntary amendment of claims that are identical to a translation of the claims indicated as allowable by a PPH partner office
Please focus on the application as a whole rather than on specific claims. Many applications accepted into the PPH program are not in condition for allowance at the first action only because of minor description informalities that could be corrected in a voluntary amendment. These minor informalities include defects such as a statement that incorporates by reference another document (subsection 81(1) of the Patent Rules), and reference to documents that are not available to the public (subsection 81(2) of the Patent Rules).
Consider amending the application to correct known informalities that result from any differences between CIPO and Office of Earlier Examination patent application requirements. Doing so may help further accelerate prosecution of the application.
3. Submit the request
Use the general correspondence form to submit your request.
In your request, attach the documents you prepared in step 2. You may complete this on the attachment step of the general correspondence form.
You need a My Canada Business Account to use the general correspondence form.
Don't have an account? Visit the login page and follow the steps to create an account.
Create a new general correspondence
Other ways to submit
By mail
Send the documents you prepared in step 2 to the following address:
Commissioner of Patents
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Place du Portage I
50 Victoria Street
Room C114
Gatineau QC K1A 0C9
In person
Bring the documents you prepared in step 2 to a designated regional establishment (office).
The documents should be directed to the following address:
Commissioner of Patents
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Place du Portage I
50 Victoria Street
Room C114
Gatineau QC K1A 0C9
By fax
You can fax the documents you prepared in step 2 to one of the following numbers:
- 819-953-2476 (black and white)
- 819-953-6742 (black and white)
- 819-934-0855 (colour)
The electronic transmittal report returned to you following your facsimile transmission is your acknowledgment receipt. Confidentiality of the facsimile transmission process can't be guaranteed.
After you submit a request
If your request for the PPH is accepted, a first office action, i.e., an examination report or a notice of allowance, can be expected within 3 months.
We examine Canadian patent applications in accordance with the Patent Act, the Patent Rules and the patent office practice.