8/24/2007
New Patent Rules Coming
by Mildred Holley, Technology Programs Manager
The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued new rules intended to streamline the patenting process. The new rules will become effective on November 1, 2007. The USPTO indicates that the “…changes will mean more effective and efficient examination for the typical applicant without any additional work on the part of most applicants.”
It is predicted that these changes may increase the cost and time needed to obtain patent protection, especially for biotech discoveries and university and non-profit research institutions. The rules place restrictions on the number of times patent applications can be reevaluated. They also limit the number of claims contained in one patent application. Restrictions will exist related to the number of continuation applications that can be filed. The rules are too extensive to describe fully here. Instead, we suggest you visit www.uspto.gov to access news about the coming patent changes.
The August 21, 2007 Federal Register document that details the Final Rule – Changes to Practice for Continued Examination Filings, Patent Applications Containing Patentably Indistinct Claims and Examination of Claims in Patent Applications – can be accessed at www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/notices/72fr46716.pdf.
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