From 1 January 2027, a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programme for patent applications for inventions filed with either of the two authorities will come into force in Russia and Belarus. It will apply, inter alia, to applications that have entered the national phase under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
A Memorandum of Understanding on the PPH programme between Russia and Belarus was signed by the heads of the respective patent offices on 16 October 2026 and represents a logical next step in the development of bilateral cooperation.
The mechanism set out in the document allows the patent office, at the applicant’s request, to use the results of an examination carried out by another office – including a patentability opinion – when considering the application. This will significantly reduce the time needed to obtain a patent and lower costs for businesses. However, each office will examine the application and make a decision in accordance with national legislation, even if such results or an opinion are provided.
Rospatent and the National Centre for Intellectual Property of Belarus are already participating in the PPH programme operating within the framework of the Eurasian Patent Organisation, and through which a Eurasian patent for an invention may be obtained.
The signed memorandum is in line with the aim of deepening integration between Russia and Belarus, including in the fields of science, technology and innovation. The launch of the PPH programme will serve as a practical tool to facilitate the market entry of developments in both countries and enhance the attractiveness of the national patent systems for applicants.