By
Sarah Fendrick —

In a press release issued last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office noted that the
examiner "count system" changes announced on September 30, 2009 (see "USPTO Proposes Changes to Count System") have
now gone into effect.  The count system is
the "methodology for determining the amount of time in which a patent examiner is expected to
complete a patent examination and the credit that is given for each stage of an
examination."  The newly
enacted changes aim to reduce patent redundancy and provide quicker resolution
of issues that arise during the patent application process.  The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office anticipates the changes will
provide applicants with identification of patentable subject matter at an
earlier stage in the application process while also improving the efficiency of
the USPTO.  The changes to the "count
system" include improved working conditions for examiners, more time for
examiners, and process changes.

The
USPTO has implemented an online "Feedback Channel" to allow public
comment on the new "count system."  In the Office's release announcing implementation of the count system changes, USPTO Director David Kappos commented that "[t]he
Feedback Channel will offer a direct avenue for our stakeholders and the public
to provide real-time input on each major initiative and how it is working."  In addition to providing the public an
opportunity to comment on the "count system," the "Feedback
Channel" also allows public comment on the "Project Exchange" pilot
program for small entity inventors and on the "Green Tech" pilot
program.  The USPTO will continue
to post additional USPTO programs on the "Feedback Channel" to
provide an ongoing forum for public comment.