Patent and Trademark Office February 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Supplementary Examination Guidelines for Determining Compliance With 35 U.S.C. 112 and for Treatment of Related Issues in Patent Applications
Document Number: 2011-2841
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-02-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office
These supplementary guidelines are intended to assist United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) personnel in the examination of claims in patent applications for compliance with 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph, which requires that claims particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter that applicant regards as his or her invention. In addition, supplemental information is provided to assist Office personnel in the examination of claims that contain functional language for compliance with 35 U.S.C. 112, especially computer-implemented invention claims. The guidelines also include information to assist Office personnel in the examination of dependent claims for compliance with 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph. The guidelines are a supplement to the current provisions in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) pertaining to 35 U.S.C. 112, and the current provisions in the MPEP pertaining to 35 U.S.C. 112 remain in effect except as where indicated in these guidelines.
Changes To Implement the Prioritized Examination Track (Track I) of the Enhanced Examination Timing Control Procedures
Document Number: 2011-2585
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-02-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) requested comments on a proposal to provide applicants with greater control over when their utility and plant applications are examined and to promote greater efficiency in the patent examination process (3- Track). The Office, in addition to requesting written comments, conducted a public meeting to collect input, and has subsequently considered the wide range of comments received. The Office is in the process of refining the 3-Track proposal in light of the input. While that process continues, and in light of the fact that the vast majority of public input was supportive of the Track I portion of the 3-Track proposal, the Office proposes by this Notice to proceed with immediate implementation of the Prioritized Examination Track (Track I), providing fast examination for applicants desiring it, upon payment of the applicable fee and compliance with the additional requirements as described below.
Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 4,971,802; MIFAMURTIDE
Document Number: 2011-2088
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-02-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a certificate under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a fourth one-year interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 4,971,802.
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