PROFESSIONAL UPDATES

• General link to USPTO site containing notices

June 2006 Notices

• The USPTO has announced Changes to Practice for Petitions in Patent Applications To Make Special and for Accelerated Examination..

March 2006 Notices

• Changes to implement the patent search fee refund provisions of the consolidated appropriations act of 2005 - Final Rulemaking

January 2006 Notices

• The USPTO has announced that it will begin electronic processing of information disclosure statements.
• The USPTO has extended the Pilot Pre-Appeal Brief Conference Program Notice of January 10, 2006.
• Changes to Practice for Continuing Applications, Requests for Continued Examination Practice, and Applications Containing Patentably Indistinct Claims (Due May 3, 2006)
• Changes to Practice for the Examination of Claims in Patent Applications (Due May 3, 2006)

December 2005 Notices

• The USPTO has requested comments on the Interim Guidelines for examination of patent applications for patent subject matter eligibility.

November 2005 Notices

• Search Template Project is announced.

October 2005 Notices

• The USPTO has issued interim guidelines for examination of patent applications for patent subject matter eligibility under 35 USC §101. 

September 2005 Notices

• The USPTO final rule for the CREATE Act is found here.
• The USPTO final rule on claiming priority to Provisional Applications that were not filed in English is found here.
• The listing of exceptions to the Centralized Fax/Delivery system is found here.
• Information regarding PCT searches is found here.
• The USPTO has implemented procedures for those whose mail was affected by hurricane Katrina.  For details about office actions, click here.  For details about maintenance fees, click here.

July 2005 Notices

• The USPTO is now accepting certain non-compliant amendments under 37CFR §121(c).  Details.
• New Pre-Appeal Brief Conference Pilot Program information is found here.
• The USPTO is changing the transitional procedures for limited examination after final rejection in certain applications filed before June 8, 1995.  Check here for the rule change.
• The notice regarding the New Centralized Fax number along with a listing of exceptions to the new Centralized Fax number is found here.
• The Final Rule regarding the revision of search and examination fees for PCT applications entering the National Stage in the US is found here.
• John Doll's Presentation made at the NAPP 2005 Annual Meeting.

June 2005 Notices

• Check here for the USPTO final rule for changes to the practice for handling patent applications filed without the appropriate fees.

May 2005 Notices

• The USPTO is changing the transitional procedures for limited examination after final rejection in certain applications filed before June 8, 1995.  Check here for the rule change.
• The Finance customer window in Crystal City will permanently close sometime between June 15-30, 2005.  Check here for details.

March 2005 Notices

• The USPTO is revising the rules of practice to update the references therein to the physical location of the Public Search Room and the Office of the General Counsel, and the telephone numberof the Office of the General Counsel.  (March 4, 2005)
• The USPTO has provided the following contact for status inquiries relating to the suggestion of an interference under section 41.202(a) in applications in which all ex parte matters have been resolved as:  interference.status@uspto.gov .  (March 8, 2005)
• The USPTO has updated its notice of centralized delivery and facsimile transmission policy for patent related correspondence.  (March 2, 2005)
• The USPTO has terminated the waiver provisions of 37 CFR 1.8 and 1.10 with respect to correspondence addressed to the USPTO's Washington, DC 20231 address.  (March 1, 2005)

February 2005 Notices

• Notice of Changes in Requirement for a Substantial New Question of Patentability for a Second or Subsequent Request for Reexamination While an Earlier Filed Reexamination is Pending.(signed February 2, 2005)
• Revision of Search and Examination Fees for Patent Cooperation Treaty Applications Entering the National Stage in the United States (February 1, 2005)

Rule by Rule Summary: Changes To Support Implementation of the United States Patent and Trademark Office 21st Century Strategic Plan (final rule)

• 69 Fed. Reg. 29865 (posted 01 Oct 2004) [PDF]
• Examples of 37 CFR § 1.4 Signatures [PDF]
• Changes to Representation of Others Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office