United States Patent and Trademark Office December 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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
Document Number: E9-30402
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2009-12-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Patent and Trademark Office
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.
Procedure for Treating Rejected Claims That Are Not Being Appealed
Document Number: E9-29641
Type: Notice
Date: 2009-12-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Patent and Trademark Office
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.
Patent Cooperation Treaty Task Force; Notice of Public Meeting
Document Number: E9-29329
Type: Notice
Date: 2009-12-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Patent and Trademark Office
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).
Pilot Program for Green Technologies Including Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Document Number: E9-29207
Type: Notice
Date: 2009-12-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Patent and Trademark Office
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.
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