Category Archives: USPTO Practice and Policy

Teresa Stanek Rea Announces Her Departure From the PTO

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Warren Woessner

Acting USPTO Director Teresa “Terry” Rea has announced that she will leave the PTO after a new Director is selected. She will probably complete two years in the position, which has been affected by the sequestration of funding, a backlog … Continue reading →

Posted in USPTO Practice and Policy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

USPTO Publishes Extensive Examination Guidelines for 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Warren Woessner

On February 14, 2013, the PTO published extensive Examination Guidelines for examination of applications filed after March 16, 2013, under 102 and 103 as amended by the AIA. Given the debates, if not confusion, that arose following the publication of … Continue reading →

Posted in AIA Patent Reform, USPTO Practice and Policy | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

USPTO Publishes Final Rules for Micro-Entity Status and Fee Schedule

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Warren Woessner

On December 19, 2012, the Patent Office published the final rule: “Changes to Implement Micro Entity Status for Paying Patents Fees” –77 Fed. Reg. 75019–and on January 18, 2013 the final fee schedule is expected to be published (link below). … Continue reading →

Posted in USPTO Practice and Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

PTO Issues Notice on Improvement in Patent Application Quality – A Very Modest Proposal

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Warren Woessner

On January 15, 2013, the USPTO released a notice – see link below – requesting comments on its suggestions of ways to “improve the quality of issued patents” by improving the quality of application drafting. There are two brief sections … Continue reading →

Posted in USPTO Practice and Policy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment