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Tag Archives: Public Comment

USPTO Extends First-To-File Comment Period To November 5, 2012

Posted by Courtenay Brinckerhoff on Posted in Patent Reform; USPTO Proposed Rule Changes

The USPTO has announced that it has “reopened” the comment period for the proposed implementing regulations for the first-to-file provisions of the America Invents Act (“AIA”) which take effect March 16, 2013.  Public comments now will be accepted until November 5, 2012. The USPTO has demonstrated that it takes public comments seriously, and modified some of the proposed rules for the provisions that took effect on September 16, 2012 in view of public comments. Indeed, the decision to reopen the comment period was made in response to “several requests,” and underscores the agency’s interest in receiving thoughtful input from applicants, practitioners and other stakeholders. Continue reading this entry

First-To-File Comments Due October 5, 2012

Posted by Courtenay Brinckerhoff on Posted in Patent Reform; USPTO Proposed Rule Changes

Although the first-to-file provisions of the America Invents Act (“AIA”) do not take effect until March 16, 2013, public comments on the USPTO’s proposed implementing regulations are due by Friday, October 5, 2012. The USPTO has demonstrated that it takes public comments seriously, and modified some of the proposed rules for the provisions that took effect on September 16, 2012 in view of public comments. Applicants, practitioners and other stakeholders should not miss this opportunity to shape how the USPTO implements these significant changes to U.S. patent law. Continue reading this entry

Gearing Up For September 16, 2012

Posted by Courtenay Brinckerhoff on Posted in Patent Office Practice; Patent Reform

Now that 2011 is coming to an end and I am catching my breath and getting organized for 2012, I thought it would be a good time to consider the USPTO’s plans for implementing the provisions of the America Invents Act that take effect September 16, 2012. According to the USPTO’s Leahy-Smith America Invents Act Implementation webpage, the USPTO will be publishing proposed regulations as early as mid-January.Continue reading this entry