As announced on the USPTO website, the final rules for the provisions of the America Invents Act (AIA) that take effect on September 16, 2012, will be published in the August 14, 2012 Federal Register. Pre-publication versions of the rules packages are available now in the Federal Register reading room. While I have not yet reviewed all of the final rules, it appears that the USPTO took public comments into consideration and made significant changes to some of the proposed rules. Applicants and practitioners should study the final rules packages and consider attending a USPTO “AIA roadshow,” where USPTO representatives will explain the new rules. Practitioners and applicants interested in the new patent trial proceedings also may want to register for and attend the Patent Nation Webinar program hosted by Foley & Lardner LLP on Monday, August 27, 2012. Continue reading this entry
Tag Archives: Inventor’s Oath
The Rhyme & Reason Behind The USPTO’s Proposed Patent Fees
Posted in Patent Reform; USPTO Proposed Rule ChangesOn Wednesday, February 15, 2012, the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) will hold its first public hearing on the patent fees that the USPTO proposes to charge in accordance with its new fee-setting authority conferred by the America Invents Act. In advance of this meeting, the USPTO released several documents outlining and explaining the proposed patent fees. Even taking the USPTO’s cost estimates at face value, I have several questions and concerns about some of the proposed fees. Continue reading this entry
Companies May Be Disappointed By USPTO’s Proposed Rules For Inventor Oath/Declaration
Posted in Patent Reform; USPTO Proposed Rule ChangesThe USPTO has published proposed rules to implement changes to the inventor oath/declaration requirements contained in the America Invents Act. The proposed rules recognize the changes to 35 USC §§ 115 and 118, but also reflect 35 §§ 111(a) and 371, which were not amended. Companies who were hoping for significant changes to the inventor oath/declaration requirements or looking for the ability to file applications without the need to obtain inventor declarations may be disappointed by the proposed rules. They and others can submit written comments to the USPTO by March 6, 2012.Continue reading this entry
USPTO Issues First Batch Of Proposed AIA Implementation Rules
Posted in Patent Reform; USPTO Proposed Rule ChangesLast week the USPTO issued four Federal Register Notices with proposed rules to implement different aspects of the American Invents Act. Each proposed rule making has a 60 day comment period that expires in early March. As announced on the USPTO’s Leahy-Smith America Invents Act Implementation webpage, the USPTO will be carrying out an “AIA Roadshow” during this time period to discuss these and other forthcoming proposed rules with interested members of the public.Continue reading this entry