Tag: USPTO
Update to New Rule for Prioritized Examination
April 22, 2011
We previously reported a new rule issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regarding prioritized examination. A copy of this blog posting can be found here. Briefly, this new rule allows an applicant to have a patent…
Read MoreFederal Circuit Hears Oral Arguments in the Myriad Gene Patent Case
April 22, 2011
On April 4, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit heard oral arguments in Association for Molecular Pathology, et al. v. USPTO, Myriad Genetics, et al. This case involves the controversial topic of whether human genes qualify…
Read MoreUSPTO Issues Final Rule to Implement Prioritized Examination
April 14, 2011
On April 4, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a final rule regarding prioritized examination (Track I). The purpose of the rule is to provide a final disposition within twelve months of prioritized status being granted. …
Read MoreThe Patent Office Issues New Examination Guidelines to Evaluate Whether Inventions are Distinctly Claimed
February 21, 2011
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently issued supplementary patent examination guidelines further defining the USPTO’s interpretation of the second paragraph of 35 U.S.C. §112 that requires inventors to distinctly claim their inventions. These guidelines are supplements to…
Read MoreA Proposed New Rule for Fee-Based Fast-Track Examination
February 11, 2011
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a proposed rule to implement “Track I” of the 3 track examination program proposed last year. Track I applications would be accorded special status and placed on a special Examiner…
Read MorePatent and Trademark Office Introduces a Web Site for Receiving Public Feedback on Patent and Trademark Examination Procedures
January 20, 2011
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has instituted two on-line discussion tools that allow the public to provide input on ways to improve the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) and Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP). Only a…
Read MoreUSPTO Announces Plan For First Ever Satellite Patent Office In Detroit
January 11, 2011
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently announced its plan to open the first-ever USPTO satellite office in Detroit, Michigan. While the specific location and anticipated opening date will be announced in the coming months, the Detroit satellite…
Read MorePatent Office Gives Provisional Filers Extra 12 Months to Pay Certain Fees When Filing Non-Provisional Application
December 29, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently implemented the Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program (Pilot Program) which allows an applicant to request a 12-month time period to pay certain fees and to reply to a Notice to…
Read MorePatent Office Publishes Proposed Revisions to Ex Parte Appeals Rules
December 6, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published a notice containing proposed revisions to the rules governing ex parte appeals before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. The proposed rulemaking first rescinds the 2008 Final Rules, which…
Read MorePatent Office Releases Revised Strategic Plan
November 16, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has released a revised version of its 2010-2015 strategic plan. The revised plan lays out a number of goals and initiatives, with some revisions based on feedback received from the patent and…
Read MorePatent Office Considers Program to Fast-Track Reexamination of Humanitarian Technologies
October 18, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking public comments through November 19, 2010, about a proposal to incentivize the creation and wider distribution of technologies that address humanitarian needs. Under the proposed pilot program, accelerated reexamination of a patent…
Read MoreUSPTO Begins Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program with Russian Patent Office (ROSPATENT)
September 7, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is participating in a one-year patent prosecution highway pilot program with the Russian Patent Office. The pilot program will last for one year beginning on September 1, 2010. Under the Patent Prosecution…
Read More