A centralized listing of major Patent Application Initiatives provides applicants with access to information on several patent initiatives designed to advance and support the examination process. Compare the various patent application initiatives that are available prior to examination, during examination, or after close of prosecution to evaluate and contrast the benefits of participating.
Agency Priorities
Enhanced Patent Quality Initiative
Learn about USPTO efforts to increase patent quality.
Executive Actions
USPTO-led Executive Actions on High Tech Patent Issues
On June 4, 2013, President Obama announced five executive actions "to help bring about greater transparency to the patent system and level the playing field for innovators." Four of these actions were undertaken by the USPTO. On February 20, 2014, the President announced three new initiatives aimed
Attributable Ownership
In June 2013, the White House issued a series of Executive Actions concerning high-tech patent issues. To improve transparency in patent ownership, the USPTO has formulated a rule that will require patent applicants and owners to regularly update ownership information.
Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP)
The USPTO is expanding its Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP) and requesting voluntary assistance from Scientists, Engineers, Professors, and Industrial Designers to participate as guest lecturers. Volunteer your time and expertise as a guest lecturer to ensure patent examiners keep
Patents for Humanity
An awards competition for patent owners and licensees (2013).
Additional Initiatives
Leahy-Smith America Invents Act Implementation
USPTO releases two new AIA reports on Virtual Marking and the Satellite Offices.
Third-Party Preissuance Submissions
Learn more details about the mechanisms available to third parties who wish to submit patents.
Software Partnership
USPTO has formed a partnership with the software community to enhance the quality of software-related patents (Software Partnership). The Software Partnership is an opportunity to bring stakeholders together through a series of roundtable discussions to share ideas, feedback, experiences, and insights on software-related patents.
Glossary Initiative
Find out more about White House Executive Action No. 2, high-tech patent issues, and the the Glossary Pilot Program.
Prior Art Search
One initiative of the Software Partnership is the investigation and sharing of search strategies, and the improvement of tools and resources to evolve better techniques to identify prior art. Involvement of the scientific community in sharing best practices should help the USPTO identify the most relevant search resources and determine the best prior art for examination.
Site Experience Education (SEE) Program
The SEE Program is designed to provide patent examiners with an opportunity to visit organizations and learn about state of the art technology developments. USPTO Seeking Organizations to Participate in the SEE Program
Patent Examiner Count System
The key objectives of the recently implemented count system are to provide more overall time for examination and to place emphasis on complete and thorough initial examination, encourage quicker resolution of issues, and to reduce unnecessary rework.
Ombudsman Program
The Patents Ombudsman Program enhances the USPTO's ability to assist applicants or their representatives with issues that arise during patent application prosecution.
Biotechnology/Chemical/Pharmaceutical/Customer Partnership Conferences
Biotech/Chem/Pharm Customer Partnership Meeting (19 October 2016) Biotech/Chem/Pharm Customer Partnership Meeting (30 June 2016) Biotech/Chem/Pharm Customer Partnership Meeting (26 April 2016) Biotech/Chem/Pharm Customer Partnership Meeting (14 September 2015) Biotech/Chem/Pharm Customer
Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP)
The USPTO is offering in person training to members of the public based on courses available to employees of the USPTO. The training focuses on examination practice and procedure.
Patent Application Initiatives
Accelerated Examination
Learn more about the established procedures under which the examination of a patent application may be accelerated.
Patents 4 Patients
Also known as the Cancer Immunotherapy Pilot Program, this program provides a fast-track review for cancer immunotherapy-related patent applications without the need for applicant to pay a petition fee. Under this program, patent applications pertaining to cancer immunotherapy are advanced out of turn for examination, resulting in their accelerated review.
After Final Consideration Pilot 2.0
The After Final Consideration Pilot 2.0 (AFCP 2.0) is part of the USPTO's on-going efforts towards compact prosecution and increased collaboration between examiners and stakeholders.
Complex Work Unit Pilot Program
The USPTO's Complex Work Unit (CWU) Pilot Program helps users simplify online access to, and availability of, USPTO information and data for purposes of improved examination of applications, as well as publication of pre-grant publications and patent grants.
Full First Action Interview Pilot Program
Under the Full First Action Interview Pilot Program, an applicant is entitled to a first action interview, upon request, prior to the first Office action on the merits. The examiner will conduct a prior art search and provide applicant with a condensed pre-interview communication citing relevant
Patent Law Treaty
Effective December 18, 2013 The provisions in the Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 focus on harmonizing and streamlining many of the formal procedures for filing and processing a patent application.
Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs
Effective May 13, 2015, the provisions in Title I of the Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 implement the 1999 Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs
USPTO's Prioritized Patent Examination Program
Track One and Prioritized Examination for RCEs
Quick Path Information Disclosure Statement (QPIDS)
The Quick Path Information Disclosure Statement (QPIDS) pilot program is part of the USPTO's on-going efforts towards compact prosecution and pendency reduction.