Federal Register Notices from the PTO

Removal of Rules Governing Trademark Interferences
July 17, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) amends the Rules of Practice in Trademark Cases to remove the rules governing trademark interferences. This rule arises out of the USPTO's work during FY 2017 to identify and propose regulations for removal, modification, and streamlining because they are outdated,
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee Charter Renewal
July 06, 2018 The Acting Chief Financial Officer/Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Administration, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, with the concurrence of the General Services Administration, renewed the Charter for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee on February 13, 2018.
USPTO Websites Customer Satisfaction Surveys
July 05, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed new information collection.
Patent Reexaminations and Supplemental Examinations
July 05, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0064 (Patent Reexaminations and Supplemental Examinations).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Trademark Petitions”
July 05, 2018
Patent Cooperation Treaty Collaborative Search and Examination Pilot Project Between the IP5 Offices
June 27, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (SIPO), referred to collectively as the IP5 Offices, will launch a pilot project on
Post Patent Public Submissions
June 18, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection; 0651-0067: Post Patent Public Submissions.
Changes to the Trademark Rules of Practice To Mandate Electronic Filing
May 30, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) proposes to amend the Rules of Practice in Trademark Cases and the Rules of Practice in Filings Pursuant to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks to mandate electronic filing of trademark applications and
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Ombudsman Survey
May 25, 2018
Proposed Collection; Comment Request; “Rules for Patent Maintenance Fees”
May 21, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
May 21, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection; 0651-0080: Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.
Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees
May 17, 2018 On November 29, 1999, the President signed into law the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (the ``Act''), Public Law 106-113, which, among other things, established two Public Advisory Committees to review the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with
Changes to the Claim Construction Standard for Interpreting Claims in Trial Proceedings Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
May 09, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'' or ``Office'') proposes changes to the claim construction standard for interpreting claims in inter partes review (``IPR''), post-grant review (``PGR''), and the transitional program for covered business method patents (``CBM'') proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (``PTAB'' or ``Board''). In
Post Registration (Trademark Processing)
April 27, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0055 (Post Registration (Trademark Processing)).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application”
April 27, 2018
Submission of OMB Review; Comment Request; “Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program”
April 26, 2018
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Recording Assignments
April 26, 2018
Request for Comments on Determining Whether a Claim Element Is Well-Understood, Routine, Conventional for Purposes of Subject Matter Eligibility
April 20, 2018 The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) recently issued a decision regarding the inquiry of whether a claim limitation represents well-understood, routine, conventional activities (or elements) to a skilled artisan in the relevant field. Specifically, the Federal Circuit found that whether a claim element, or combination
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Public Search Facility User ID and Badging”
April 17, 2018
Trademark Petitions
April 17, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0061 (Trademark Petitions).
Third-Party Submissions and Protests
April 17, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0062 (Third-Party Submissions and Protests).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Certificate Action Form”
April 17, 2018
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Fastener Quality Act Insignia Recordal Process
March 29, 2018
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “National Summer Teacher Institute”
March 21, 2018
Ombudsman Survey
March 19, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection.
Patent Prosecution Highway Program
February 14, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0058 (Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program).
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application
February 14, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0060 (National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application).
Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Ninth Edition, Revision of January 2018
January 31, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') issued a revision of the ninth edition of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (``MPEP'') in January 2018 to provide updated information on patent examination policy and procedure (``January 2018 revision''). The MPEP is published to provide patent examiners and the public
Recording Assignments
January 29, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Financial Transactions
January 29, 2018
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Certificate Action Form
January 29, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0045 (Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Certificate Action Form).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Representative and Address Provisions”
January 29, 2018
Public Search Facility User ID and Badging
January 29, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0041 (Public Search Facility User ID and Badging).
Changes To Eliminate Unnecessary Regulations
January 19, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) proposes to remove its regulations governing reservation clauses, petitions from the refusal of a primary examiner to admit an amendment, the publication of amendments to the regulations, and limits that the Director can impose on the number of inter partes
Changes in Requirements for Collective Trademarks and Service Marks, Collective Membership Marks, and Certification Marks; Correction
January 12, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2015 a final rule, which became effective on July 11, 2015, revising the Trademark Rules of Practice. This document reinstates three paragraphs, which were inadvertently deleted as a result of an error in the amendatory
National Summer Teacher Institute
January 10, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection.
Extension of the Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program
January 10, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented a pilot program (Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program) in which an applicant, under certain conditions, can request a 12-month time period to pay the search fee, the examination fee, any excess claim fees, and the surcharge (for the late submission of
Fastener Quality Act Insignia Recordal Process
January 10, 2018 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0028 (Fastener Quality Act Insignia Recordal Act).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Admission To Practice
December 26, 2017
Notice of Public Meeting on Developing the Digital Marketplace for Copyrighted Works
December 22, 2017 The Department of Commerce's internet Policy Task Force (Task Force) will hold a conference at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) facility in Alexandria, Virginia, on January 25, 2018, to discuss current initiatives and technologies used to develop a more robust and collaborative digital marketplace for copyrighted works.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Patent and Trademark Resource Center Metrics”
December 21, 2017
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request on; “Applications for Trademark Registration”
December 21, 2017
International Trademark Classification Changes
December 01, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues a final rule to incorporate classification changes adopted by the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Agreement). These changes are effective January 1, 2018, and are listed in
Patent and Trademark Financial Transactions
November 15, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection.
Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2017
November 14, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) sets or adjusts patent fees as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (Act or AIA). The USPTO operates like a business in that external and internal factors affect the demand for patent products and services. The fee adjustments are
Rule on Attorney-Client Privilege for Trials Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
November 07, 2017 This final rule on attorney-client privilege amends the existing rules relating to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) trial practice for inter partes review, post- grant review, the transitional program for covered business method patents, and derivation proceedings that implemented provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents
Expanded Collaborative Search Pilot Program
October 30, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) conducted two separate Collaborative Search Pilot Programs (CSPs) during the period of 2015 through 2017. One of these programs was conducted with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the other with the Korean Intellectual Patent Office (KIPO). Improvements in patent quality and
Representative and Address Provisions
October 18, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), invites comment on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0035 (Representative and Address Provisions).
Removal of Rules Governing Trademark Interferences
October 18, 2017 Consistent with Executive Order 13777, ``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' and Executive Order 13771, ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,'' the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) proposes to amend the Rules of Practice in Trademark Cases to remove the rules governing trademark interferences. This proposed rule
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Substantive Submissions Made During the Prosecution of the Trademark Application
October 18, 2017
Admission To Practice and Roster of Registered Patent Attorneys and Agents Admitted To Practice Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
October 18, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed information collection proposed extension of an existing information collection.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Patent Examiner Employment Application”
October 18, 2017
Cash Payment Method Will No Longer Be Accepted
October 03, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will no longer accept cash, including coins, as payment for products and services for which fees are required.
Applications for Trademark Registration
September 29, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0009 (Applications for Trademark Registration).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Patent Petitions Related to Application and Reexamination Processing Fees
September 29, 2017
Submissions for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Submissions Regarding Correspondence and Regarding Attorney Representation (Trademarks)”
September 25, 2017
Patent and Trademark Resource Centers Metrics
September 25, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0068 (Patent and Trademark Resource Center Metrics).
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 6,100,082; OCSTM
September 22, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting a one-year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 6,100,082.
Notice of Roundtable on Intellectual Property and Trade Shows
September 14, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will host a roundtable discussion at its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, on October 18, 2017, on addressing intellectual property infringements at trade shows.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “International Design Applications (Hague Agreement)”
September 11, 2017
Performance Review Board (PRB)
August 16, 2017 In conformance with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the United States Patent and Trademark Office announces the appointment of persons to serve as members of its Performance Review Board.
Patent Examiner Employment Application
August 11, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0042 (Patent Examiner Employment Application).
Substantive Submissions Made During Prosecution of the Trademark Application
July 25, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a a proposed extension of an existing information collection.
Patent Petitions Related to Application and Reexamination Processing Fees
July 25, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Responses to Office Action and Voluntary Amendment Forms”
July 25, 2017
Miscellaneous Changes to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Rules of Practice; Clarification
July 21, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2016 a final rule, which became effective on January 14, 2017, revising the Rules of Practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. This document clarifies certain provisions of the rules of practice regarding
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 7,179,464; Benralizumab
July 20, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension for a one-year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 7,179,464.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA) Surveys
July 06, 2017
Information Collection; Submissions Regarding Correspondence and Regarding Attorney Representation (Trademarks)
July 06, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0056 (Submissions Regarding Correspondence and Regarding Attorney Representation (Trademarks).
Notice of Public Meeting on Voluntary Initiatives To Combat Infringement of Intellectual Property in the Online Environment; Cancellation
July 05, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office published a notice in the Federal Register of June 22, 2017, concerning a public meeting on measuring the impact of voluntary initiatives undertaken to reduce intellectual property infringement, scheduled for July 17, 2017, at its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. This notice announces that
International Design Applications (Hague Agreement)
June 30, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing collection: 0651-0075 (International Design Applications (Hague Agreement)).
Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees
June 30, 2017 On November 29, 1999, the President signed into law the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (the ``Act''), Public Law 106-113, which, among other things, established two Public Advisory Committees to review the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with
Notice of Roundtable Related to Fraudulent Solicitations
June 29, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') and its Trademark Public Advisory Committee will host a free public roundtable on fraudulent and misleading solicitations that are directed to trademark holders, to further public awareness of the problem, to provide U.S. Government officials with more information about its scope, and
Revival of Abandoned Applications, Reinstatement of Abandoned Applications and Cancelled or Expired Registrations, and Petitions to the Director
June 29, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) amends its rules regarding petitions to revive an abandoned trademark application and petitions to the Director of the USPTO (Director) regarding other trademark matters and to codify USPTO practice regarding requests for reinstatement of abandoned trademark applications and cancelled or
Extension of the Cancer Immunotherapy Pilot Program
June 23, 2017 On June 29, 2016, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented the Cancer Immunotherapy Pilot Program, which permits patent applications pertaining to cancer immunotherapy to be advanced out of turn for examination and reviewed earlier (accorded special status). To date, over 80 petitions requesting participation in the pilot
Notice of Public Meeting on Voluntary Initiatives To Combat Infringement of Intellectual Property in the Online Environment
June 22, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will host a public meeting at its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 17, 2017, on measuring the impact of voluntary initiatives undertaken to reduce intellectual property infringement, such as copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting, that occurs online.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) Actions
May 26, 2017
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 5,912,231; LOCILEX® (pexiganan)
May 26, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension for a one-year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 5,912,231.
July 2017 Revision of Patent Cooperation Treaty Procedures
May 26, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is amending the rules of practice to implement certain amendments made to the Regulations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) that will take effect on July 1, 2017, concerning the transmittal by a Receiving Office to an International Searching Authority
Responses to Office Action and Voluntary Amendment Forms
May 16, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: 0651-0050 (Responses to Office Action and Voluntary Amendment Forms).
Improving the Accuracy of the Trademark Register: Request for Comments on Possible Streamlined Version of Cancellation Proceedings on Grounds of Abandonment and Nonuse
May 16, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') seeks comments from stakeholders, mark owners, and all those interested in the maintenance of an accurate U.S. Trademark Register, on the establishment of a streamlined version of the existing inter partes abandonment and nonuse grounds for cancellation before the USPTO's Trademark Trial
Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA) Surveys
May 03, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Initial Patent Applications
April 26, 2017
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Patent Trial Appeal Board (PTAB) Actions
April 26, 2017
Notice of Public Meeting on Developments in Trade Secret Protection
April 11, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will be holding a public symposium on issues relevant to the protection of trade secrets. Since our last symposium on these issues in January 2015, the area of trade secret protection has continued to develop, most notably with the May 11, 2016,
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Native American Tribal Insignia Database
March 22, 2017
Trademark and Trial Appeal Board (TTAB) Actions
March 22, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 invites public comments about the proposed extension of an existing information collection: Trademark and Trial Appeal Board (TTAB) Actions.
Public Meeting on Consumer Messaging in Connection With Online Transactions Involving Copyrighted Works
March 21, 2017 The Department of Commerce's Internet Policy Task Force (Task Force) will host a public meeting at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) facility in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 18, 2017, to discuss how best to communicate to consumers regarding license terms and restrictions in connection with online transactions
Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Actions
February 17, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), invites comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Actions.
Initial Patent Applications
February 16, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on a proposed extension of an information collection: Initial Patent Applications.
Changes in Requirements for Affidavits or Declarations of Use, Continued Use, or Excusable Nonuse in Trademark Cases
February 10, 2017 In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' this action delays for 60 days the effective date of the final rule entitled ``Changes in Requirements for Affidavits or Declarations of Use, Continued Use, or
Changes in Requirements for Affidavits or Declarations of Use, Continued Use, or Excusable Nonuse in Trademark Cases
January 19, 2017 In order to assess and promote the accuracy and integrity of the trademark register, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) amends its rules concerning the examination of affidavits or declarations of continued use or excusable nonuse filed pursuant to section 8 of the Trademark Act, or
Reopening of the Period for Comments on a Preliminary Draft Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Currently Being Negotiated at The Hague Conference on Private International Law
January 13, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office is publishing this notice to reopen the comment period provided in its notice of November 18, 2016, entitled Request for Comments and Notice of Public Meeting on a Preliminary Draft Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Currently Being Negotiated at
Request for Comments Regarding the Continuation of the Accelerated Examination Program
January 12, 2017 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is requesting comments from its stakeholders on whether the accelerated examination program should be retained. In an August 16, 2016 notice updating the program to reflect changes in the law and examination practice, the USPTO indicated that the number of accelerated examination
Extension of the Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program
December 21, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented a pilot program (Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program) in which an applicant, under certain conditions, can request a 12-month time period to pay the search fee, the examination fee, any excess claim fees, and the surcharge (for the late submission of
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Secrecy and License To Export
December 20, 2016
Miscellaneous Changes to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Rules of Practice; Correction
December 12, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2016 a final rule, which will become effective on January 14, 2017, revising the Rules of Practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. This document corrects errors in certain cross-references, clarifies the manner of
Native American Tribal Insignia Database
December 05, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), is proposing an extension of an existing information collection; the Native American Tribal Insignia Database.
Notice of Roundtables and Extension of the Period for Comments on Examination Time Goals
November 30, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) previously announced information for roundtables in Alexandria, Virginia, and Dallas, Texas, to solicit public feedback as part of an effort to reevaluate its examination time goals. Examination time goals vary by technology and represent the average amount of time that
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Deposit of Biological Materials
November 28, 2016
National Telecommunications and Information Administration; Notice of Public Meeting on Developing the Digital Marketplace for Copyrighted Works
November 21, 2016 The Department of Commerce's Internet Policy Task Force (Task Force) will hold a conference at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) facility in Alexandria, Virginia, on December 9, 2016, to discuss current initiatives and technologies used to develop a more robust and collaborative digital marketplace for copyrighted works
Request for Comments and Notice of Public Meeting on a Preliminary Draft Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Currently Being Negotiated at The Hague Conference on Private International Law
November 18, 2016 The Hague Conference on Private International Law (``The Hague Conference''), an international organization in the Netherlands, is sponsoring negotiations for a convention on the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in civil and commercial matters. In February 2016, the Council on General Affairs and Policy of The Hague Conference created
Notice of Roundtables and Request for Comments Related to Patent Subject Matter Eligibility; Addition of USPTO HQ Location for Roundtable 2
November 14, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office publishes this notice to announce that interested persons may participate at the USPTO's Alexandria, VA office for its Roundtable to be held on December 5, 2016.
Trademark Fee Adjustment; Correction
November 07, 2016 This document contains corrections to tables included in the preamble of the final rule implementing changes to trademark fees published in the Federal Register of Friday, October 21, 2016.
International Trademark Classification Changes
November 04, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues a final rule to incorporate classification changes adopted by the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Agreement). These changes are effective January 1, 2017, and are listed in
Revival of Abandoned Applications, Reinstatement of Abandoned Applications and Cancelled or Expired Registrations, and Petitions to the Director
October 28, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) proposes to amend its rules regarding petitions to revive an abandoned application and petitions to the Director of the USPTO (Director) regarding other matters, and to codify USPTO practice regarding requests for reinstatement of abandoned applications and cancelled or expired
Revision of the Duty To Disclose Information in Patent Applications and Reexamination Proceedings
October 28, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or PTO) is proposing revisions to the materiality standard for the duty to disclose information in patent applications and reexamination proceedings (duty of disclosure) in light of a 2011 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit).
Standard ST.26-Request for Comments on the Recommended Standard for the Presentation of Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequence Listings Using XML (eXtensible Markup Language)
October 27, 2016 Patent applications that contain disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences must contain sequence information in a separate part of the disclosure in a specified manner. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is seeking additional comments to obtain views of the public on the continuing international effort to
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Patent Term Extension
October 27, 2016
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Patent Law Treaty
October 27, 2016
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Post Allowance and Refiling
October 27, 2016
Request for Comments on Examination Time Goals
October 25, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) is soliciting public feedback as part of an effort to reevaluate its examination time goals. Examination time goals vary by technology and represent the average amount of time that a patent examiner is expected to spend examining a patent application
Trademark Fee Adjustment
October 21, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) is amending its rules to set or increase certain trademark fees, as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA). The fees will allow the Office to further USPTO strategic objectives by: Better aligning fees with the full cost of
Rule Recognizing Privileged Communications Between Clients and Patent Practitioners at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
October 18, 2016 This proposed rule would amend the rules of practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board to recognize that, in connection with discovery conducted in certain proceedings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office), communications between U.S. patent agents or foreign patent practitioners and their clients
Notice of Roundtables and Request for Comments Related to Patent Subject Matter Eligibility
October 17, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') seeks public input on patent subject matter eligibility in view of recent decisions by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The USPTO remains interested in feedback from members of the public to improve the USPTO's existing subject
Secrecy and License To Export
October 12, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of
Miscellaneous Changes to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Rules of Practice
October 07, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'' or ``Office'') is amending the Trademark Rules of Practice (``Trademark Rules'' or ``Rules''), in particular the rules pertinent to practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (``Board''), to benefit the public by providing for more efficiency and clarity in inter partes
Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2017
October 03, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) proposes to set or adjust patent fees as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (Act or AIA). The USPTO is a business- like operation where external factors affect the productivity of the workforce and the demand for patent products
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Legal Processes
September 21, 2016
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, Pro Bono Survey; Correction
September 21, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office published a document in the Federal Register on August 22, 2016, concerning requests for comments on a Pro Bono Survey. The Pro Bono Survey is used by the Pro Bono Advisory Council (PBAC) and the USPTO to provide information to the USPTO regarding
Deposit of Biological Materials
September 21, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the renewal of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee Meeting
September 09, 2016 The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) Nomination Evaluation Committee will meet in closed session on September 9, 2016. The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss the relative merits of persons, teams, and companies nominated for the 2015 NMTI.
Performance Review Board (PRB)
September 07, 2016 In conformance with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the United States Patent and Trademark Office announces the appointment of persons to serve as members of its Performance Review Board.
USPTO Cancer Moonshot Challenge
September 06, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) publishes this notice to announce the Cancer Moonshot Challenge, which was launched on August 22, 2016, to enlist the public's help to leverage the USPTO's intellectual property data, often an early indicator of meaningful research and development, and combine it with other
Request for Comments on the Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program
September 06, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a pilot program (Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program) in which an applicant, under certain conditions, can request a 12-month time period to pay the search fee, the examination fee, any excess claim fees, and the surcharge (for the late submission of
Third Annual USPTO Cooperative Patent Classification Meeting With Industry Users
August 29, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is hosting its third annual Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) meeting with industry users at its Alexandria Campus. CPC is a bilateral classification system jointly developed by the USPTO and the European Patent Office (EPO). CPC is jointly managed and maintained by both
Request for Comments and Notice of Roundtable Event on Leveraging Electronic Resources To Retrieve Information From Applicant's Other Applications and Streamline Patent Issuance
August 29, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is continuing its efforts to expedite and improve the overall patent process. Accordingly, the USPTO is exploring how to best utilize available electronic resources to provide examiners with information (e.g., prior art, search reports, etc.) from applicant's other applications as early as
Patent Law Treaty
August 22, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Pro Bono Survey”
August 22, 2016
Post Allowance and Refiling
August 22, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law
Patent Term Extension
August 22, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13
Changes in Accelerated Examination Practice
August 16, 2016 In 2006, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) introduced the accelerated examination program to permit an application to be advanced out of turn if the applicant files a grantable petition under the program. Since its institution, the patent landscape has witnessed numerous legal changes such as
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Patent Processing
July 26, 2016
Post-Prosecution Pilot Program
July 11, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is initiating a Post-Prosecution Pilot Program (P3) to test its impact on enhancing patent practice during the period subsequent to a final rejection and prior to the filing of a notice of appeal. This Pilot Program responds to stakeholder input gathered during
Elimination of Publication Requirement in the Collaborative Search Pilot Program Between the Japan Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office
July 05, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented a Collaborative Search Pilot Program with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) on August 1, 2015, to study whether the exchange of search results between offices for corresponding counterpart applications improves patent quality and facilitates the examination of patent applications in both
Cancer Immunotherapy Pilot Program
June 29, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is implementing a pilot program to provide for earlier review of patent applications pertaining to cancer immunotherapy (``Cancer Immunotherapy Pilot Program'' or ``Pilot Program'') in support of the White House national $1 billion initiative to achieve ten years' worth of
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Patent Cooperation Treaty
June 27, 2016
Legal Processes
June 23, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law
Changes in Requirements for Affidavits or Declarations of Use, Continued Use, or Excusable Nonuse in Trademark Cases
June 22, 2016 In order to assess and promote the accuracy and integrity of the trademark register, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) proposes to amend its rules concerning the examination of affidavits or declarations of continued use or excusable nonuse filed pursuant to section 8 of the Trademark
Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees
June 10, 2016 On November 29, 1999, the President signed into law the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (the ``Act''), Public Law 106-113, which, among other things, established two Public Advisory Committees to review the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 5,912,231; LOCILEX® (pexiganan)
June 10, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a one- year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 5,912,231.
Trademark Fee Adjustment
May 27, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) proposes to set or increase certain trademark fees, as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA). The proposed fees will allow the Office to recover the aggregate estimated cost of Trademark and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) operations
USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program
May 27, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``Office'' or ``USPTO'') is issuing a final rule to comply with a Public Law enacted on December 16, 2014. This law requires the USPTO Director to establish regulations and procedures for application to, and participation in, the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Requirements for Patent Applications Containing Nucleotide Sequence and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures”
May 26, 2016
Patent Processing (Updating)
May 23, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of
May 2016 Subject Matter Eligibility Update
May 06, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued the July 2015 Update: Subject Matter Eligibility (July 2015 Update) to provide further guidance to examiners in determining subject matter eligibility under 35 U.S.C. 101. The USPTO announced the July 2015 Update in the Federal Register, and sought public comment on
Use of WIPO's ePCT System for Preparing the PCT Request for Filing as Part of an International Application With the USPTO as Receiving Office
May 06, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO), in its capacity as a PCT Receiving Office (RO/US), will begin to accept international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) that are filed electronically with a PCT Request prepared in the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) ePCT system. ePCT
Intellectual Property Education Outreach Council Survey
April 27, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed information collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Amendments to the Rules of Practice for Trials Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; Correction
April 27, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 1, 2016, revising the rules related to trial practice for inter partes review, post-grant review, the transitional program for covered business method patents, and derivation proceedings that implemented provisions of the Leahy-Smith
Patent Cooperation Treaty
April 19, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Act of 1996, Public Law
Request for Comments on the Application of the Written Description Requirement to Specific Situations in Design Applications
April 15, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'' or ``Office'') is evaluating how the written description requirement applies to certain design applications. In particular, the USPTO has developed a proposed approach for design examiners to apply general principles governing compliance with the written description requirement to specific situations in design
Miscellaneous Changes to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Rules of Practice
April 04, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'' or ``Office'') proposes to amend the Trademark Rules of Practice (``Trademark Rules'' or ``Rules''), in particular the rules pertinent to practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (``Board''), to benefit the public by providing for more efficiency and clarity in inter
Amendments to the Rules of Practice for Trials Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
April 01, 2016 This final rule amends the existing consolidated set of rules relating to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) trial practice for inter partes review (``IPR''), post-grant review (``PGR''), the transitional program for covered business method patents (``CBM''), and derivation proceedings that implemented provisions of the Leahy-Smith
Patent Quality Metrics for Fiscal Year 2017 and Request for Comments on Improving Patent Quality Measurement
March 25, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is revising its patent quality metrics to better identify quality-related issues and more clearly communicate its quality measurements to the public. The new patent quality metrics are part of the USPTO's Enhanced Patent Quality Initiative (EPQI), which was launched in 2015 to
Request for Information Related to Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
March 24, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is requesting information from its stakeholders regarding issues to be discussed in upcoming World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) meetings related to intellectual property, genetic resources, and associated traditional knowledge.
Requirements for Patent Applications Containing Nucleotide Sequence and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures
March 17, 2016 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
March 09, 2016 In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'' or ``the Agency'') seeks to revise the Prefatory Statement of General Routine Uses (``prefatory statement'') published in the Federal Register on December 31, 1981 (46 FR 63501-63502). This action
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Invention Promoters/Promotion Firms Complaints
January 07, 2016
Extension of the Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program
December 24, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented a pilot program (Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program) in which an applicant, under certain conditions, can request a 12-month time period to pay the search fee, the examination fee, any excess claim fees, and the surcharge (for the late submission of
International Trademark Classification Changes
December 24, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') issues a final rule to incorporate classification changes adopted by the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Agreement). These changes are effective January 1, 2016, and are listed in
Request for Submission of Topics for USPTO Quality Case Studies
December 21, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is initiating a new pilot program as part of its Enhanced Patent Quality Initiative. Currently, the USPTO performs reviews of applications on target issues for internal quality purposes, referred to as ``case studies.'' The USPTO now seeks to leverage the experience of
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Patents External Quality Survey
December 16, 2015
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “International Work Sharing”
December 16, 2015
USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program
December 16, 2015 This rulemaking is required by a Public Law enacted on December 16, 2014. This law requires the United States Patent and Trademark Office (``Office'' or ``USPTO'') Director to establish regulations and procedures for application to and participation in the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program. This law removed the ``pilot''
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 5,808,146; fluciclovine (18
November 24, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a one- year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 5,808,146.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Practitioner Conduct and Discipline
November 20, 2015
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Madrid Protocol”
November 19, 2015
Proposed Pilot Program Exploring an Alternative Approach to Institution Decisions in Post Grant Administrative Reviews; Reopening of Period for Comments
November 03, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is requesting comments on a proposed pilot program pertaining to the institution and conduct of the post grant administrative trials provided for in the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), Public Law 112-29, 125 Stat. 284 (2011). The AIA provides for the following
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Practice for Trials Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; Reopening of Period for Comments
November 03, 2015 The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) provided for new administrative trial proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (Board). The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a number of final rules and a trial practice guide in August and September of 2012 to implement the new administrative
Changes To Facilitate Applicant's Authorization of Access to Unpublished U.S. Patent Applications by Foreign Intellectual Property Offices
October 27, 2015 The electronic sharing of information and documents between intellectual property (IP) offices is critical for increasing the efficiency and quality of patent examination worldwide. Current examples of this sharing include the priority document exchange (PDX) program and the program by which U.S. search results are delivered to the European Patent
Patent Public Advisory Committee Public Hearing on the Proposed Patent Fee Schedule
October 20, 2015 Under Section 10 of the America Invents Act (AIA), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) may set or adjust by rule any patent or trademark fee established, authorized, or charged under Title 35 of the United States Code or the Trademark Act of 1946, respectively. The USPTO currently
Trademark Public Advisory Committee Public Hearing on the Proposed Trademark Fee Schedule
October 20, 2015 Under Section 10 of the America Invents Act (AIA), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) may set or adjust by rule any patent or trademark fee established, authorized, or charged under Title 35 of the United States Code or the Trademark Act of 1946, respectively. The USPTO currently
Patents External Quality Survey
October 09, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of
International Work Sharing
October 09, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13
Change in Practice Regarding Correction of Foreign Priority Claims
October 06, 2015 The American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 (AIPA) provided for publication of patent applications at eighteen months from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is claimed. Thus, the patent laws and regulations require that foreign priority or domestic benefit claims, specifying the application number, country (or intellectual property
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Patent Review and Derivation Proceedings”
September 23, 2015
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Matters Related to First Inventor to File”
September 23, 2015
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee
September 16, 2015 The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark Office) is requesting nominations of individuals to serve on the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee. The United States Patent and Trademark Office will consider all timely nominations received in response to this notice as well as from
Streamlined, Expedited Patent Appeal Pilot for Small Entities
September 15, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a procedure under which an application will be advanced out of turn (accorded special status) for examination if the applicant files a petition to make special with the appropriate showing. The USPTO is providing a temporary basis (the Streamlined, Expedited Patent
Performance Review Board (PRB)
September 10, 2015 In conformance with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the United States Patent and Trademark Office announces the appointment of persons to serve as members of its Performance Review Board.
Madrid Protocol
August 31, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13
Request for Comments on a Proposed Pilot Program Exploring an Alternative Approach to Institution Decisions in Post Grant Administrative Reviews
August 25, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is requesting comments on a proposed pilot program pertaining to the institution and conduct of the post grant administrative trials provided for in the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA). The AIA provides for the following post grant administrative trials: Inter Partes Review
Amendments to the Rules of Practice for Trials Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
August 20, 2015 This proposed rule would amend the existing consolidated set of rules relating to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) trial practice for inter partes review (``IPR''), post-grant review (``PGR''), the transitional program for covered business method patents (``CBM''), and derivation proceedings that implemented provisions of the
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Patents for Humanity Program”
August 17, 2015
Invention Promoters/Promotion Firms Complaints
August 17, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13
July 2015 Update on Subject Matter Eligibility
July 30, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) prepared interim guidance (2014 Interim Patent Eligibility Guidance) for use by USPTO personnel in determining subject matter eligibility in view of then-recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court (Supreme Court). The USPTO published the 2014 Interim Patent Eligibility Guidance in the Federal
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Fee Deficiency Submissions”
July 17, 2015
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Post Patent Public Submissions”
July 13, 2015
United States Patent and Trademark Office and Japan Patent Office Collaborative Search Pilot Program
July 10, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is initiating a joint Work Sharing Pilot Program with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to study whether the exchange of search results between offices for corresponding counterpart applications improves patent quality and facilitates the examination of patent applications in both offices. In
United States Patent and Trademark Office and Korean Intellectual Property Office Collaborative Search Pilot Program
July 09, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is initiating a joint Work Sharing Pilot Program with the Korean Intellectual Patent Office (KIPO) to study whether the exchange of search reports between offices for corresponding counterpart applications improves patent quality and facilitates the examination of patent applications in both offices.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Patent Reexaminations and Supplemental Examinations”
July 02, 2015
2015 Application Period for the Patents for Humanity Program
June 29, 2015 Patents for Humanity is an annual program through which the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recognizes patent holders who use their technology for humanitarian purposes. This year, the USPTO will accept applications for recognition under the program from July 1, 2015, to December 4, 2015. All other program
Practitioner Conduct and Discipline
June 19, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery”
June 19, 2015
Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees
June 18, 2015 On November 29, 1999, the President signed into law the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (the ``Act''), Public Law 106-113, which, among other things, established two Public Advisory Committees to review the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with
Amendments to the Rules of Practice for Trials Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
June 16, 2015
Expedited Patent Appeal Pilot
June 15, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a procedure under which an application will be advanced out of turn (accorded special status) for examination if the applicant files a petition to make special with the appropriate showing. The USPTO is providing a temporary basis (the Expedited Patent Appeal
Changes in Requirements for Collective Trademarks and Service Marks, Collective Membership Marks, and Certification Marks
June 11, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') is amending the rules related to collective trademarks, collective service marks, and collective membership marks (together ``collective marks''), and certification marks to clarify application requirements, allegations of use requirements, multiple-class application requirements, and registration maintenance requirements for such marks. These rule changes
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; “Third-Party Submissions and Protests”
June 09, 2015
Patent Review and Derivation Proceedings
June 09, 2015 The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.

Recent Federal Register Notices from the PTO