[Federal Register: September 20, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 181)]
[Notices][Page 57261-57262]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20se10-30]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No. PTO-P-2010-0066]
Request for Comments on Incentivizing Humanitarian Technologies
and Licensing Through the Intellectual Property System
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Request for comments.
To view the complete text of this comment request see:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2010_register&docid=fr20se10-30
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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is considering pro-business strategies for incentivizing the development and widespread distribution of technologies that address humanitarian needs. One proposal being considered is a fast-track ex parte reexamination voucher pilot program to create incentives for technologies and licensing behavior that address humanitarian needs. Because patents under reexamination are often the most commercially significant patents, a fast-track reexamination proceeding would allow patent owners to more readily and less expensively affirm the validity of their patents. Therefore, the opportunity to utilize a voucher for a fast-track reexamination proceeding could provide a valuable incentive for entities to pursue humanitarian technologies or licensing. The USPTO is requesting comments from the public regarding this proposal as well as other incentive proposals set forth in this notice.
DATES: Comment Deadline Date: To be ensured of consideration, written comments must be received on or before November 19, 2010. No public hearing will be held.