For those who are still filing by paper, the USPTO announced last week that it will finally be doing away with the requirement for duplicate copies of forms required for processing fees (e.g., an authorization to charge a deposit account). Before Image File Wrappers (IFWs), when paper filing was an Applicant’s only option, duplicate copies…
Category: News
USPTO Seeks Volunteers To Test Its Online Continuing Education System
The USPTO has developed a system to administer continuing legal education to practitioners. This system, entitled the “Continuing Education for Practitioners” or (“CEP”) system, is intended to “increase efficiency, reduce pendency, and improve quality in the patent process.” The USPTO states that the CEP system is “built on the recognition that a smoothly operating patent…
Interesting Editorial On The Subject Of Patent Reform In This Presidential Election
Yesterday the patent blog Patently-O had an interesting guest editorial on the subject of the presidential candidates’ respective positions (or absence thereof) on U.S. patent reform. The gist of this editorial is that Sen. Obama has and will continue to take patent issues “seriously” while Sen. McCain has avoided this important subject for political expediency….
Patentably Defined Turns A Year Old!
Patentably Defined is a year old. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for visiting this blog, for suggesting it to colleagues, and for leaving your comments. Last month was this blog’s busiest month to date. I am still in awe over the thousands of monthly visitors to this site and…
The Best Of 2007 Roundup
I hope that you had a happy, fun, and safe New Year. Thank you for a great 2007! Until we visit again, here is a roundup of some of the best of 2007. 1. Prosecution After KSR “The teaching-suggestion-motivation test is useful but ultimately too rigid. What might you consider arguing now?” 2. Don’t Get…