Archive for February, 2006
USPTO launches new version of Private PAIR
The Patent and Trademark Office just finished an online presentation of the major features of the newest version of Private PAIR (dubbed “Private PAIR 6.0”).
Later this afternoon, the presentation will be available here for review: http://webex.client.ninesystems.com/uspto.
The Office deserves kudos for this release of Private PAIR. The new version has a great interface, is entirely web-based (goodbye [...]
Proposed rule placing limits on continuation and continued examination practice - What does the coming application surge look like?
The patent community is still digesting the potential effects of the PTO proposed rule placing limitations on continuation and continued examination practice. The rule stands to have sweeping effects on patent practice, particularly in the industries that rely heavily on these aspects of patent prosecution.
One thing is clear - if the proposed rule is adopted, [...]
PTO funding and fee diversion - show your support
Earlier this month, the House Judiciary Committee officially placed Patent and Trademark Office fees on the calendar by recommending passage of the Patent and Trademark Fee Modernization Act of 2005 (H.R. 2791) (PTFMA) without amendment.
While the future of the PTFMA is not clear, we know that PTO funding and fees must be debated at some point [...]
Seven-millionth US patent - a symbol of the need for change
Yesterday, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 7,000,000 to John O’Brien (assigned to DuPont) for POLYSACCHARIDE FIBERS.
It took roughly six years to issue the million patents between US 6,000,000 and US 7,000,000. The time it takes to issue each successive set of one million patents continues to shrink, a [...]
US Patent and Trademark Office seeks stakeholder input for new strategic plan
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is currently developing a new strategic plan and Commissioner John Doll wants your input. The Office is interested in ideas from all types of stakeholders, including individual inventors, small and large businesses, and practitioners. You can send your comments via e-mail to StrategicPlanning1@uspto.gov.
This invitation to [...]
House Judiciary Committee recommends passage of anti-fee diversion bill; Debate on PTO funding and diversion to come?
Last week, the House Judiciary Committee released its report on the Patent and Trademark Fee Modernization Act of 2005 (H.R. 2791) (PTFMA). The Committee reports that it has considered the bill and that it recommends its passage without amendment.
You can view and/or download a copy of the report here.
The PTFMA was introduced on the [...]
Slides from PTO’s Chicago Town Hall Meeting on proposed rule changes now available on Promote the Progress
Several friends have shared their experience and insight from the Patent and Trademark Office Town Hall meeting in Chicago last week. The meeting focused on the rule changes proposed by the Office earlier this year.
A good friend provided the slides from the presentations of John Doll (Commissioner for Patents) and James Toupin (General Counsel) [...]
UK Patent Office aks ‘What size inventive step is the right size?’
On Friday, the UK Patent Office launched a public consultation aimed at evaluating the inventive step requirement for patentability in the UK. The consultation specifically asks the following questions:
• Is the inventive step requirement for patentable inventions in the United Kingdom right for inventors, the public at large, and the UK economy?
• [...]
Town Hall play-by-play
The Patently-O blog has an excellent review of last week’s Patent and Trademark Office Town Hall meeting held in Chicago. The Office held the meeting to present background information regarding the two rule changes it proposed earlier this year. If you’re following the development of the radical changes proposed by the Office, the [...]
Friday food for thought
It’s Friday…here’s some food for thought:
Probably the most interesting thing I read this week is Alessandra Galloni’s Wall Street Journal article, As Luxury Industry Goes Global, Knock-Off Merchants Follow. Ms. Galloni provides amazing detail on the morphing of the proprietor behind what sounds like a small, local watch retailer in Italy (”Mister Watch”) into [...]
