Category Archives: USPTO Practice and Policy

PTO Rules on Pre-issuance Submissions by Third Parties

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Warren Woessner

On July 17th, the USPTO released the rules that will govern the mandate in Section 8 of the AIA that requires the Office to provide for the submission by third parties of patents, published patent applications and other materials that … Continue reading →

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USPTO Institutes “QUICK PATH” IDS PILOT Program

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Warren Woessner

The USPTO has announced the implementation of a pilot program, effective from May 16th until September 30th, to permit applicants to file IDS statements after payment of the issue fee in utility and reissue applications, without the need to continue … Continue reading →

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USPTO Encourages Prosecution After Final – Sort of

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Warren Woessner

Although entry of any amendments after final rejection has always be discretionary with Examiners, for pretty much my entire career, I have had good luck continuing prosecution after final rejection – sometimes filing multiple Rule 116 amendments or making multiple … Continue reading →

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A “Modest Proposal” For The RCE Crisis

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Warren Woessner

Commentators, including Prof. Hal Wegner, have been sounding the alarm regarding the increasing number of requests for continuing examination that applicants are filing. The PTO projects 325,000 RCE’s by FY 2018. They have gone further in recent posts, in attributing … Continue reading →

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