Patent and Trademark Office July 9, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is extending the First Action Interview (FAI) Pilot Program while completing a comprehensive review of the program, deciding what, if any, adjustments should be made to the program, and whether the program should be extended further or made permanent. The program is intended to expedite disposition of an application by enhancing communication between an applicant and an examiner at the beginning of the examination process. Specifically, the program allows an applicant to conduct an interview with an examiner prior to the issuance of an Office action, but after receiving the examiner's search results and initially identified issues. During its review, the Office will consider feedback from both internal and external stakeholders. Accordingly, in addition to announcing the extension of the program, the Office is requesting comments on the program.