By
Sarah Fendrick —

The
Enhanced First Action Interview Pilot Program, first implemented on October 20,
2009, was extended an additional six months beyond the original ending date of
April 1, 2010.  The program permits
applicants to conduct an interview with an examiner after review of a
pre-interview communication that discloses the results of a prior art search
conducted by the Examiner.  As
described in a notice the Office released on April 7, 2010, participants have experienced benefits
including:

(1) The ability to advance prosecution
of an application;
(2) Enhanced interaction between
applicant and the examiner;
(3) The opportunity to resolve patentability issues one-on-one with the examiner at the beginning of the prosecution
process; and
(4) The opportunity to facilitate possible early allowance.

Under
the extension, any request for a First Action Interview filed before October 1,
2010 will be granted if eligibility and requirements of the First Action
Interview Pilot Program are satisfied.

For additional information regarding this topic, please see:

• "USPTO Expands First Action Interview Pilot Program," October 5, 2009
• "PTO
Announces New Program to Reduce
Pendency and Improve Patent Quality," April 15, 2008