USPTO Issues Guidance for Patent Practitioners Regarding AI Use Before the USPTO
On April 11, 2024, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published guidance to the Federal Register on the use of AI tools in matters before the USPTO. The guidance acknowledges that AI may be beneficial to practitioners in preparing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications but notes there are risks associated with the use […]
USPTO Issues Memorandum to Examiner Corps – Clear Communication of §112(f) Limitation Interpretation is Key
Mar. 18, 2024 The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a memorandum (memo) to examiners setting forth resources available for examining limitations under 35 U.S.C. §112(f), commonly referred to as “means-plus-function” or “step-plus-function” limitations. The guidance further highlighted the importance of properly identifying and interpreting such limitations, as well as creating a clear record […]
In Case You Missed It – Summary of the USPTO’s Fall Biotechnology/Chemical/Pharmaceutical Customer Partnership Conference
By Kurt Buechle On September 17, 2020, the Technical Center 1600 of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) held its regular Biotechnology/Chemical/Pharmaceutical Customer Partnership Conference (“Conference”). A wide range of topics was covered. The morning session included a discussion of the written description requirement under 35 U.S.C. § 112 and an overview […]
USPTO Provides Guidance on New COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program
The United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has established a webpage with information and guidance regarding use of its new COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program. The new page indicates the number of applications that will be accepted under the new program (500) and provides a description of the program, a link to the application […]
USPTO Announces New COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced a new pilot program to expedite the examination and prosecution of patent applications related to COVID-19. With a nod to the important role independent inventors and small businesses play in innovation and economic growth, the USPTO indicated its new COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program will initially be […]
USPTO Unveils Patents 4 Partnership
On May 4th, 2020, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a new IP marketplace platform to facilitate connections between patent holders and potential licensees in key technologies. The web-based platform, Patents 4 Partnership, is intended to provide a user-friendly, searchable database of patents and published patent applications available for licensing and related to […]
USPTO Issues Update on Relief Available to Customers Affected by COVID-19
On Tuesday, April 28, 2020, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) issued a Notice of Extended Waiver of Patent-Related Timing Deadlines under the CARES Act (“Updated Notice”). The Notice also addresses other relief available to Patent Applicants and Patentees and supersedes the USPTO’s March 31, 2020 Patent-Related and Trademark-Related Notices and its March 16, […]
USPTO Releases Report on Patent Examination Uncertainty Post-Alice
by Kurt Buechle and Liz Burke On April 23, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a press release announcing the publication of a new report on patent examination outcomes after the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2014 decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank and the USPTO’s subsequently released January 2019 Subject […]
USPTO Announces Relief Available to Customers Affected by COVID-19
On Monday, March 16, 2020, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that, in certain circumstances, Petition to Revive fees will be waived “[f]or patent applicants or patent owners who were unable to timely reply to an Office communication due to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.” The USPTO considers “the effects of the […]
USPTO Facilities Close to the Public
The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, all USPTO facilities will be closed to the public but remain open to employees and contractors. This closure does not impact due dates, which are not extended, as the USPTO continues its operations.
