Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH): New Timing for Requests
On May 13, 2026, the Argentinian Patent Office published Resolution 142/2026, introducing greater flexibility to the PPH request process. Previously, applicants could only request a PPH procedure before substantive examination began.
Now, the new regulation allows requests at any stage during the application’s prosecution, right up to the final grant or denial.
This expansion is intended to simplify procedures and help applicants take advantage of accelerated examination.
Progress Toward PCT Membership
A second noteworthy development relates to Argentina’s potential accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
The commission responsible for the PCT project secured a majority, enabling the draft law to move forward for a general vote in Congress.
This is a long-awaited milestone for patent applicants and practitioners; Argentina’s journey toward PCT membership began in 1970, when the Senate initially approved the project, but the Chamber of Deputies has yet to grant final approval. With this recent advancement, further news is expected soon.
