USPTO Seeks Comment On New Patent Process

The US Patent and Trademark Office is seeking comments on a proposed new patent examination initiative aimed at providing applicants with greater control over the speed with which their applications are examined and promoting greater efficiency in the examination process. The USPTO initiative would introduce a three-track programme, rather than the current single approach, the office said in a release today. The programme would enable applicants filing first in the US to request either: Track I prioritised examination; Track II traditional examination; or Track III for non-continuing applications first filed in the USPTO, an applicant-controlled delay for up to 30 months prior to docketing for examination.

According to USPTO, this plan would allow an increase in resources in Track I, which would increase output; the prevention of duplication of search and examination work; and allow a slower track where applicants could pay a small fee and park their application for up to 30 months before any patent examination begins. USPTO invites public input (written comments by 20 August) and announced a public meeting to discuss it on 20 July.

By Emma Broster for Intellectual Property Watch