Tag: US Patent Office
Proposed Modifications to BPAI Rules Regarding Ex Parte Appeals
January 7, 2010
The United State Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) is considering modifications to rules governing practice before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (BPAI) in ex parte appeals. Changes to the BPAI rules were first proposed in 2007 and finalized…
Read MoreUSPTO 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 MoreWoodard, Emhardt Attorneys Teach PubWEST Patent Searching Class At Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library’s Central Library
November 12, 2009
Patent searching is typically the first step in determining whether to pursue patent protection for an invention. On November 11, 2009, Woodard, Emhardt attorneys Chuck Schmal and Doug Gallagher presented a class on techniques for conducting patent searches using the…
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 MoreFederal Circuit to Rehear the Tafas Case En Banc
September 28, 2009
On July 6, the Federal Circuit granted rehearing en banc in Tafas v. Doll regarding the USPTO’s power to implement new rules on restrictions for continuations and claim limitations. No comment concerning the underlying opinion was given beyond announcing its…
Read MoreBeta Test of New PTO Website Begins
September 8, 2009
The Patent and Trademark Office has announced that beta testing of its new website is underway. The front page at least is a marked improvement for navigation and ease in searching for relevant information. Check out the new site at…
Read MoreKappos Named New USPTO Director
August 1, 2009
David Kappos was sworn in August 13, 2009 as the new Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Kappos intends to focus on reducing the backlog of pending patent applications and appeals at the USPTO, as well…
Read MoreUSPTO’s Proposed Patent Rules To Be Challenged Again
July 20, 2009
On July 6, the Federal Circuit granted rehearing en banc in Tafas v. Doll regarding the USPTO’s power to implement new rules on restrictions for continuations and claim limitations. No comment concerning the underlying opinion was given beyond announcing its…
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