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As the world pivoted to navigate obstacles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the USPTO not only adapted to address the challenges, but appeared to make the most of this period by improving existing procedures. Widely publicized adjustments, such as efficiently moving 13,000 examiners and other employees to a remote working environment
1 and reducing the average examination time
2, overshadow equally laudable advances that have resulted in more robust and streamlined examination, with a seeming aim at achieving improved customer service toward its applicants and stronger international partnerships. This article summarizes five procedural developments that have greatly impacted U.S. prosecution, and in many instances, improved the experience for USPTO customers.
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
In a Director’s Forum blog on the importance of interview practice to the patent examination process, the USPTO announced that the First Action Interview Pilot Program is going to end on January 15, 2021, largely due to underuse.
The First Action Interview Pilot Program
The First Action Interview Pilot Program has been running for 12 years, but its popularity never took off. The basic premise of the program is explained on its USPTO webpage:
Under the Full First Action Interview Pilot Program, an applicant is entitled to a first action interview, upon request, prior to the first Office action on the merits. The examiner will conduct a prior art search and provide applicant with a condensed pre-interview communication citing relevant prior art and identifying proposed rejections or objections. Within 30 days of receipt, applicant schedules an interview and submits proposed amendments and/or arguments. At the interview, the relevant prior
To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog:
In a Director’s Forum blog on the importance of interview practice to the patent examination process, the USPTO announced that the First Action Interview Pilot Program is going to end on January 15, 2021, largely due to underuse.
The First Action Interview Pilot Program
The First Action Interview Pilot Program has been running for 12 years, but its popularity never took off. The basic premise of the program is explained on its USPTO webpage:
Under the Full First Action Interview Pilot Program, an applicant is entitled to a first action interview, upon request, prior to the first Office action on the merits. The examiner will conduct a prior art search and provide applicant with a condensed pre-interview communication citing relevant prior art and identifying proposed rejections or objections. Within 30 days of receipt, applicant schedules an interview and submits proposed amendments and/or arguments. At the intervie
Those who qualify for “Small Entity Status” at the USPTO enjoy a
fifty-percent reduction for a variety of fees, including the basic filing fee, search fee, and examination fee. However, it should be noted that certain fees are not reduced, such as international application fees.
Individuals, small business concerns, and non-profit organizations may all qualify for small entity status, regardless of the country in which they are located. Small business concerns are those who have fewer than 500 employees and affiliates, and also have not assigned, granted, conveyed, or licensed any rights in the relevant invention to those who would not qualify as a small entity. Additionally, universities and other institutions of higher education qualify as nonprofits for purposes of small entity status.