Patent and Trademark Office 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Rules of Practice Before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences in Ex Parte Appeals; Request for Comments on Potential Modifications to Final Rule and Notice of Roundtable During Comment Period
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is considering modifications to rules governing practice before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (BPAI) in ex parte patent appeals. Previously submitted comments with regard to an earlier published final rule, particularly those submitted in response to a proposed collection of information, raised some public concerns which have been reconsidered by the Office. After further consideration of these concerns, the Office is issuing this notice seeking further public comment on possible revisions to portions of the final rule. In order to facilitate a full exchange of views, the United States Patent and Trademark Office is also conducting a public session and roundtable in connection with this request for comments. Following the public comment period, if the Office determines further action is necessary, a subsequent notice of proposed rule making would be issued to solicit additional comments on specific proposals before any modified final rule would be issued.
Revised Procedure for Public Key Infrastructure Certificates
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a notice on Legal Framework for Electronic Filing System-Web (EFS-Web) to set forth the current policy and procedure for using EFS- Web and to permit a holder of a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate to designate a single employee of a contractor who may use the PKI certificate under the direction and control of the holder. The USPTO received many suggestions and inquiries from users of EFS-Web and the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. In response to the suggestions, the USPTO is expanding the procedure for PKI certificates to permit a holder of a PKI certificate to designate more than one employee to use the PKI certificate under the direction and control of the holder in accordance with the revised PKI subscriber agreement and the rules and policies of the USPTO.
Procedure for Treating Rejected Claims That Are Not Being Appealed
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is considering changes to the procedure for handling notices of appeal and appeal briefs that identify fewer than all of the rejected claims as being appealed. Under the proposed procedure, if appellant files a notice of appeal, or an appeal brief, that clearly identifies fewer than all of the rejected claims as being appealed, the non-appealed rejected claims would be deemed canceled by operation of this action on the part of the appellant as of the date on which such a notice of appeal, or appeal brief, is filed, regardless of whether the appellant also files an amendment canceling the non-appealed rejected claims. The USPTO is requesting comments from the public regarding the proposed procedure set forth in this notice.
Admittance To Practice and Roster of Registered Patent Attorneys and Agents Admitted To Practice Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Patent Cooperation Treaty Task Force; Notice of Public Meeting
This notice announces a public meeting to solicit public opinions on improvement of the USPTO's efficiency, operation and utilization of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Request for Comments on Enhancement in the Quality of Patents
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has in place procedures for measuring the quality of patent examination, including the decision to grant a patent based on an application and of other Office actions issued during the examination of the application. The USPTO in conjunction with the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) has undertaken a project related to overall patent quality. This notice is one element in that endeavor. As part of this effort to improve the quality of the overall patent examination and prosecution process, to reduce patent application pendency, and to ensure that granted patents are valid and provide clear notice, the USPTO would like to focus, inter alia, on improving the process for obtaining the best prior art, preparation of the initial application, and examination and prosecution of the application. The USPTO is seeking public comment directed to this focus with respect to methods that may be employed by applicants and the USPTO to enhance the quality of issued patents, to identify appropriate indicia of quality, and to establish metrics for the measurement of the indicia. This notice is not directed to patent law statutory change or substantive new rules. It is directed to the shared responsibility of the USPTO and the public for improving quality and reducing pendency within the existing statutory and regulatory framework.
Pilot Program for Green Technologies Including Greenhouse Gas Reduction
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is implementing a pilot program in which an applicant may have an application advanced out of turn (accorded special status) for examination, for applications pertaining to green technologies including greenhouse gas reduction (applications pertaining to environmental quality, energy conservation, development of renewable energy resources or greenhouse gas emission reduction). Currently, an application pertaining to environmental quality, or energy conservation, development of renewable energy resources or greenhouse gas reduction will not be advanced out of turn for examination unless it meets the requirements of the accelerated examination program. Under the Green Technology Pilot Program, applications pertaining to environmental quality, energy conservation, development of renewable energy, or greenhouse gas emission reduction, will be advanced out of turn for examination without meeting all of the current requirements of the accelerated examination program (e.g., examination support document). The USPTO will accept only the first 3,000 petitions to make special in previously filed new applications, provided that the petitions meet the requirements set forth in this notice.
Patent Application Backlog Reduction Stimulus Plan
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a procedure under which an application will be advanced out of turn (accorded special status) for examination if the applicant files a petition to make special with the appropriate showing. The USPTO is providing an additional temporary basis under which a small entity applicant may have an application accorded special status for examination if the applicant expressly abandons another copending unexamined application. This procedure will allow small entity applicants having multiple applications currently pending before the USPTO to have greater control over the priority with which their applications are examined while also stimulating a reduction of the backlog of unexamined patent applications pending before the USPTO.
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 5,407,914; SURFAXIN® (lucinactant)
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a one- year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 5,407,914.
Electronic Response to Office Action and Preliminary Amendment Forms
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the revision of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 4,971,802; MIFAMURTIDE
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a certificate under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a third one-year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 4,971,802.
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee Meeting
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) Nomination Evaluation Committee will meet in closed session on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. The primary purpose of the meeting is the discussion of relative merits of persons and companies nominated for the NMTI award.
Request for Comments on Patents Ombudsman Pilot Program
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is currently developing a Patents Ombudsman Pilot Program. The Patents Ombudsman Pilot Program is intended to provide patent applicants, attorneys and agents with assistance with application-specific issues including prosecution advancement concerns. The Patents Ombudsman Pilot Program is not intended to circumvent normal communication between pro se applicants or applicant's representatives and examiners or Supervisory Patent Examiners (SPEs). The USPTO is inviting public comment on the proposed Patents Ombudsman Pilot Program.
Legal Framework for Electronic Filing System-Web (EFS-Web)
This Legal Framework provides guidance on the background statutes, regulations and policies that support the Electronic Filing SystemWeb (EFS-Web) project. The document is provided as a reference for applicants, parties in reexamination proceedings, attorneys, and agents, as well as their employees using the system.
Customer Input: United States Patent and Trademark Office Customer Surveys
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Performance Review Board (PRB)
In conformance with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4), the United States Patent and Trademark Office announces the appointment of persons to serve as members of its Performance Review Board.
Patent Cooperation Treaty
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Changes in Requirements for Signature of Documents, Recognition of Representatives, and Establishing and Changing the Correspondence Address in Trademark Cases
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``Office'') is revising the Trademark Rules of Practice to set forth the requirements for signature of documents filed in the Office, recognition of representatives, and establishing and changing the correspondence
Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure, Sixth Edition
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') issued the sixth edition of the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (``TMEP'') on October 12, 2009.
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 4,919,140; AndaraTM
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a second certificate under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a second one-year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 4,919,140.
Changes to Practice for Continued Examination Filings, Patent Applications Containing Patentably Indistinct Claims, and Examination of Claims in Patent Applications
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) published a final rule in the Federal Register in August of 2007 to revise the rules of practice for patent cases pertaining to continuing applications and requests for continued examination practices, and for the examination of claims in patent applications (Claims and Continuations Final Rule). The Office is revising the rules of practice in this final rule to remove the changes in the Claims and Continuations Final Rule from the Code of Federal Regulations.
Additional Period for Comments on Interim Examination Instructions for Evaluating Patent Subject Matter Eligibility
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has prepared interim examination instructions for evaluating patent subject matter eligibility under 35 U.S.C. 101 (Interim Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Examination Instructions) pending a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Bilski v. Kappos, and invited the public to submit written comments on the Interim Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Examination Instructions. The USPTO is extending the comment period to ensure that members of the public have sufficient opportunity to submit comments on the Interim Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Examination Instructions. The USPTO will revise the instructions as appropriate based on comments received.
Request for Comments on Interim Examination Instructions for Evaluating Patent Subject Matter Eligibility
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has prepared interim examination instructions for evaluating patent subject matter eligibility under 35 U.S.C. 101 (Interim Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Examination Instructions) pending a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Bilski v. Kappos. The Interim Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Examination Instructions will be for use by USPTO personnel in their review of patent applications to determine whether the claims in a patent application are directed to patent eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101. The USPTO is requesting comments from the public regarding the Interim Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Examination Instructions.
Requirements for Patent Applications Containing Nucleotide Sequence and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the revision of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Patent Reexaminations
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the new information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Grant of interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 5,135,759; MicroSort® Sperm Separation Technology
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a one- year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 5,135,759.
Notice of Reformatted Trademark Registration Certificate
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``Office'') is reformatting the certificates of registration issued for registered marks.
Trademark Examination Guides 01-09 and 02-09 on Deceptiveness Refusals
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'' or ``Office'') is publishing two Trademark Examination Guides (``Guides'') regarding deceptiveness refusals for non-geographic and geographic marks. These Guides, issued on May 11, 2009, are being published to give members of the public notice of them in addition to the notice already provided on the USPTO's Web site. Members of the public may submit comments regarding the Guides. Comments will be given consideration in connection with developing future examination guidance dealing with the subjects of the Guides.
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 4,977,138; ISTODAXTM
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a one- year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 4,977,138.
July 2009 Revision of Patent Cooperation Treaty Procedures
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is revising the rules of practice in title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to conform them to certain amendments made to the Regulations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) that take effect on July 1, 2009. These amendments result in a change to the procedure under the PCT whereby applicants may make amendments to the claims in an international application.
Invention Promoters/Promotion Firms Complaints
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Additional Period for Comments on Deferred Examination for Patent Applications
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) conducted a roundtable to obtain public input on deferral of examination for patent applications, and invited the public to submit written comments on issues raised at the roundtable or on any issue pertaining to deferral of examination. The USPTO is providing an additional comment period so that members of the public may submit additional comments on any issue pertaining to deferral of examination, and may also submit comments in reply to the comments on deferred examination that the USPTO has already received.
Trademark Petitions
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this new information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1955, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 4,650,787; Sanvar®
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a fifth one-year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 4,650,787.
Customer Panel Quality Survey
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) gives notice of a proposed new system of records entitled ``COMMERCE/ PAT-TM-23 User Access for Web Portals and Information Requests.'' We invite the public to comment on the system announced in this publication.
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this new information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Public Advisory Committees
On November 29, 1999, the President signed into law the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (the ``Act''), Public Law 106-113, which, among other things, established two Public Advisory Committees to review the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with respect to patents, in the case of the Patent Public Advisory Committee, and with respect to trademarks, in the case of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee, and to advise the Director on these matters (now codified at 35 U.S.C. 5). Due to the expiration of current members' terms, the USPTO is requesting nominations for three (3) members to the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) and two (2) members to the Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC) for terms of three years that begin from date of appointment.
Extension of Time for Comments on Deferred Examination for Patent Applications
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) conducted a roundtable to obtain public input on deferral of examination for patent applications, and invited the public to submit written comments on issues raised at the roundtable or on any issue pertaining to deferral of examination. Comment Deadline Date: The deadline for receipt of written comments is May 29, 2009.
Madrid Protocol
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the revision of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
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