Category: Patent Office Rules & Procedures

  •     By Donald Zuhn — Yesterday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that the USPTO will be closed on Friday, December 26, 2008.  The USPTO notice states that because December 25th is a federal holiday, the Office will consider December 26th to be a "Federal holiday within the District of Columbia."  As a…

  •     By Donald Zuhn — On Thursday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a reminder notice to all registered patent attorneys and agents to update their contact information via the Office's new online registration system.  Patent Docs first reported on the new online registration system last summer. According to the Patent Office's notice, each…

  • By Christopher P. Singer — In a memorandum dated December 10, 2008, the USPTO announced that, in response to comments from its customers, it has modified the requirements for requesting participation in the patent prosecution highway (PPH) pilot program.  The changes will take effect on December 22, 2008, and will allow certain U.S. applications based on…

  • By Kevin E. Noonan — On December 3rd, the biotechnology, chemical, and pharmaceuticals (BCP) technology groups at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office held their most recent quarterly customer partnership meeting.  During one of six presentations, Kathleen Bragdon, a Quality Assurance Specialist from Technology Center 1600, presented "A Look at Personalized Medicine."  In prior years,…

  •     By Donald Zuhn — Yesterday, we reported on a Notice published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in today's Federal Register announcing a delay in the effective date of the new rules relating to Practice before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences in Ex Parte Appeals (Appeals rules).  Today, the Patent Office…

  •     By Christopher P. Singer — In a Notice to be published in tomorrow's Federal Register, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced that the new rules relating to Practice before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences in Ex Parte Appeals (Appeal rules) will not take effect on December 10, 2008, as originally scheduled.…

  •     By Donald Zuhn — Last Friday, the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in the Tafas v. Dudas appeal.  Arguing on behalf of Defendants-Appellants Director Jon Dudas and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office was USPTO General Counsel James Toupin.  Plaintiffs-Appellees SmithKline Beecham Corp., SmithKline Beecham plc, and Glaxo Group Ltd. (GSK) were represented by…

  •     By Donald Zuhn — On Wednesday, the biotechnology, chemical, and pharmaceuticals (BCP) technology groups at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office held their most recent quarterly customer partnership meeting.  During the last of six presentations, Associate Solicitor Janet Gongola outlined a new training module that the Office has begun using to instruct examining corps…

  •     By Donald Zuhn — As we reported yesterday, Director Jon Dudas of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filed a Notice of Appeal in the District Court for the District of Columbia on November 28th, appealing the Court's decision in Wyeth v. Dudas to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit…

  •     By Donald Zuhn — Last Friday, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Jon Dudas filed a Notice of Appeal in the District Court for the District of Columbia appealing the Court's September 30th decision in Wyeth v. Dudas to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  Director Dudas challenges District Judge…