Blog
USPTO to Accelerate Review of Green Technology Patents
December 9, 2009
The USPTO is introducing a new pilot program which will accelerate the examination of certain “green” technology patent applications. Under normal circumstances, patent applications are examined in the order that they are filed. Currently, the average pendency time for applications…
Read MoreUSPTO Director Kappos now blogging on new USPTO website
December 1, 2009
New USPTO Director David Kappos is reaching out and attempting to engage the public on the topic of patent law and other issues that matter to both inventors and the patent bar alike. Mr. Kappos began the blog earlier this…
Read MoreSupreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Bilski v. Kappos
November 10, 2009
Monday the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the highly anticipated Bilski v. Kappos case. The Court’s decision in this case, which is expected by the spring of 2010, will shape what types of technology is and is not…
Read MoreICANN Set to Expand Domain Name Space
November 4, 2009
ICANN (the body responsible for regulating domain names) is planning to expand the domain name system to better reach an international audience. Domain names consisting of non-latin characters are currently set to be launched on November 16, 2009. These characters…
Read MoreThailand Becomes the 142nd PCT Member
October 27, 2009
On September 24, 2009, Thailand (TH) became the 142nd Contracting State of the PCT. Thailand will become bound by the PCT on December 24, 2009, and all PCT applications filed on or after December 24 will automatically designate Thailand.
Read MoreNew Patent Search Tool
October 21, 2009
A new patent search tool offered by WIPO is available here. The tool includes about 1.6 million PCT applications as well as the patent collections of ARIPO, Cuba, Israel, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa and Vietnam. Additional collections will be added in…
Read MoreUSPTO Rescinds Controversial Claiming and Continuations Rules
October 9, 2009
The USPTO announced today that it will officially rescind its controversial claiming and continuations rules package next week. The restrictive rules package sought to impose extensive limits on the way applicants could claim their inventions and on the number of…
Read MorePatent Office Extends First Action Interview Pilot Program Into New Art Units
October 7, 2009
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced yesterday that it is expanding its initial First Action Interview Pilot Program. This program entitles an applicant to an interview with the patent examiner assigned to their case prior to the issuance…
Read MoreThe Patent Office and Examiner’s Union Propose Changes to the Examiner Count System Which May Dramatically Affect How Patent Applications Are Processed
October 1, 2009
The US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), via a press release on its web site, has announced that the USPTO Joint Labor-Management Task Force has issued a joint proposal for amending the Examiner Count System. The task force comprised senior…
Read MoreIncreased Copyright Fees
September 28, 2009
The Copyright Office increased fees as of August 1, 2009. Here is a link to the new fee schedule: Copyright Fees Under the new fee schedule, the fee for online registration for a basic claim would remain unchanged at $35…
Read MoreChanges to European Patent Office Practice
September 28, 2009
Although it is still several months away, the EPO will dramatically changes its practice effective April 1, 2010 relating to divisional applications and European search reports. A review of the changes is presented below: Limitation on Filing Divisional Applications In…
Read MoreInexpensive Ways to Protect a Business’ Intellectual Property- Tips on Ownership and Assignments
September 28, 2009
One of the most important parts of intellectual property, which tends to be overlooked, is establishing ownership of intellectual property. In many cases, employees are hired without having to sign any type of employment agreement, or if they do sign…
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