United States Patent and Trademark Office June 16, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking public comment on virtual marking, which was provided for by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) as an alternative to physically marking patented articles as a means to provide notice to the public that such articles are subject to patent protection. The AIA requires that the Director of the USPTO prepare, not later than three years from the date of enactment of the AIA, a report of: The effectiveness of virtual marking as an alternative to the physical marking of articles; whether such virtual marking has limited or improved the ability of the general public to access information about patents; and any legal issues or deficiencies that arise from such virtual marking.