The USPTO has been active in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve extended deadlines for affected applicants and practitioners multiple times, established multiple pilot programs related to the virus, and taken steps to make sure they can continue operations throughout the pandemic. Now the USPTO has expanded its adjustments to allow applicants to restore benefit […] The USPTO has published proposed changes to the rules governing proceedings at the PTAB. Comments must be submitted by June 26th to be considered. A majority of the changes conform the rules with current PTAB practices already adopted, while one specific change would represent a diversion from the norm. First, the proposal would adopt the […] In the past few months, the USPTO has made a number of extensions and changes in response to the spread of coronavirus. Previously, the USPTO had extended deadlines that would have come between March 27 and April 30 by 30 days and then deadlines from March 27 to May 31 to June 1st for those […] The timing considerations that go into filing a petition for inter partes review with the PTAB have become progressively more difficult to navigate as the PTAB exercises increased discretion in rejecting IPRs. This trend started with the precedential NHK decision in which the PTAB rejected an IPR petition on the basis of an upcoming district […] Continuing its efforts to keep up with COVID-19, the USPTO has announced a prioritized examination pilot program reserved for applications covering products or processes subject to an applicable FDA approval for COVID-19 use. Beginning on July 13, 2020, applicants may request prioritized examination for covered applications. The USPTO’s objective for the pilot is to complete […] In the past few months, the USPTO has made a number of changes in response to the spread of coronavirus. The focus has been both protecting USPTO employees and lessening the burden on affected practitioners and applicants alike. Now the USPTO has begun an effort aimed at solving the problem itself. This month, the USPTO […] In their decision in Thryv, Inc. v. Click-to-Call Technologies, LP, the Supreme Court ruled that the PTAB’s decisions on 35 U.S.C. § 315(b), the one year time-bar, are final and unappealable. The case began in 2013 at the PTAB with Thryv, Inc. (“Thryv”) and Click-to-Call Technologies, LP (“Click-to-Call”). Thryv filed a petition for an IPR […] On March 16, the United States Patent & Trademark Office (“USPTO”) announced that ‘extraordinary’ circumstances for relief at the USPTO would officially include the effects of COVID-19 “coronavirus”. On March 27, the USPTO announced its further relief response with deadline extensions as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) executed […] The close of the first quarter of 2020 means new patent filings totals from across the U.S., with the PTAB and the District of Delaware leading the way at 333 and 174 filings respectively. However, it was the Western District of Texas (WDTX) that made the biggest leap, continuing its surge since Judge Alan Albright […] The United States Patent & Trademark Office (“USPTO”) has announced its relief response and deadlines extensions relating to the current COVID-19 “coronavirus” as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) executed March 27. In the release, USPTO Director Andrei Iancu explained the steps being taken by the USPTO: “Inventors and […]