The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced a significant extension of the IP5 Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program, continuing cooperation with the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP) of the Republic of Korea, and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Originally scheduled to end on January 5, 2026, the program has now been extended for an additional three years, until January 5, 2029.
The USPTO has implemented stringent requirements that restrict claim amendments in applications pursued through the PPH program, which can limit the practical value of using PPH in the United States. Nevertheless, it is encouraging that U.S. allowances can continue to serve as a basis for accelerated examination in the IP5 offices.
Author(s)
Related Insights
August 14, 2026
Innovative Technology Insights
From Self-Driving Vehicles to Physical AI: The Inventions Behind Autonomous Systems
Autonomy started with cars. The same perception, decision, simulation, and control challenges now apply across robots, drones, and AI-enabled machines operating in the physical world. Understanding the taxonomy of these inventions is the first step toward protecting them.
August 13, 2026
Foley Viewpoints
The Business Court Finally Opines on the Texas Securities Act
The Business Court of Texas recently issued its first published opinion interpreting the Texas Securities Act (TSA). In Thompson v. Anchor Capital GP LLC, 2026 Tex. Bus. 41 (1st Div. July 1, 2026), the court granted defendants’ motion for partial summary judgment on the plaintiffs’ TSA claim after holding that a secured promissory note was not a security. See id. ¶¶ 1–2, 27–32, 62–63. The opinion offers a roadmap for litigating whether debt instruments fall within the TSA and for structuring private-credit, family-office, and private-equity transactions in Texas.
August 13, 2026
Foley Viewpoints
Time to Update Your Bylaws: What Florida Nonprofits Need to Know About HB 797
HB 797 touches governance fundamentals, including fiduciary standards, conflicts of interest, meeting procedures, and more. Given these changes, Florida nonprofits should be reviewing their articles of incorporation and bylaws to ensure conformity with the revised statutory framework.