USPTO Completes Successful Pilot of Continuing Education for Practitioners

In September 2008, the USPTO successfully tested delivery of continuing education materials through a Learning Management System available to participating patent practitioners. Continuing education course content is intended to be a free source of information concerning recent changes to USPTO rules and procedures, revised patent statutes, and helpful hints concerning practice before the USPTO. The Continuing Education for Practitioners (CEP) Pilot Program presented three educational courses: (1) USPTO Examination Guidelines Following KSR v. Teleflex; (2) Common Errors in Petitions Practice; and (3) Electronic Signatures and Powers of Attorney in the USPTO.

A total of 864 registered patent practitioners (652 attorneys, 212 agents) were accepted as volunteers to participate in the CEP Pilot Program, which ran from September 3 to October 1, 2008. Of the 864 volunteers, 513 (59.4%) completed the program by the September 23 initial deadline. A total of 669 volunteers (77.4%) completed the program by the September 30 extended deadline, and 195 (22.6%) did not complete the full program as of October 1. Among registered patent agents, the completion rate was 176 of 212 (83.0%); the completion rate among registered patent attorneys was 493 of 652 (75.6%). A total of 764 volunteers (88.4%) accessed the system during the course of the pilot.

Four hundred six (406) volunteers provided written feedback concerning the CEP program. In general, users liked hearing the USPTO perspective on matters and helpful hints on practice before the office, particularly as a possible free alternative to commercial CLE providers. Feedback provided by the volunteers gave high grades for course content, but noted a number of areas where delivery of the courses through the Learning Management System could be improved. The USPTO is working on system improvements to address concerns and suggestions noted during the CEP Pilot Program. Final rules concerning Continuing Education for Practitioners are currently under consideration. Further announcements will be made as developments occur.