Proposed Elimination of Patents Search Templates

According to the Federal Register, Vol. 78, Number 201 (Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013) comment request on pages 64925-64926, the USPTO is considering eliminating search templates for patents. The summary follows:

The USPTO is proposing to eliminate the Patents Search Templates from the USPTO Web site. In 2006, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented Patents Search Templates, which are United States Patent Classification (USPC) indexed search templates that were created to better identify the field of search, search tools, and search methodologies which should be considered each time an invention related to a particular USPC is searched. There are over 1200 search templates covering more than 600 USPC classes and subclasses. Historically, usage of the search templates by the public has been extremely low. Additionally, various aspects of the search templates, such as references to commercial database vendor information, are in need of updating. Further, the USPTO launched a new classification system, the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)system, in January 2013 that is based on the International Patent Classification (IPC) system. The CPC, a joint patent classification system developed by the USPTO and the European Patent Office (EPO),incorporates the best classification practices of both the U.S. and European systems. Since CPC is a detailed, collaborative, and dynamic system that will enable patent examiners and the public to efficiently conduct thorough patent searches, the search templates will become obsolete. Before eliminating the search templates from the USPTO Website, the Office is requesting comments from the public.

Comments must be received before November 29,2013. Details about where to send comments and the complete text of the comment request are available from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-10-30/html/2013-25685.htm

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Changes to Implement the Patent Law Treaty

The Monday, Oct. 21, 2013 (pages 62367-62409) Federal Register presents a final rule entitled Changes To Implement the Patent Law Treaty; Final Rule. The summary follows:

SUMMARY: The Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 (PLTIA)amends the patent laws to implement the provisions of the Hague Agreement Concerning International Registration of Industrial Designs(Hague Agreement) in title I, and the Patent Law Treaty (PLT) in title II. The PLT harmonizes and streamlines formal procedures pertaining to the filing and processing of patent applications. This final rule revises the rules of practice for consistency with the changes in the PLT and title II of the PLTIA. The United States Patent and Trademark Office(Office) is implementing the Hague Agreement and title I of the PLTIA in a separate rulemaking. The notable changes in the PLT and title II of the PLTIA pertain to: The filing date requirements for a patent application; the restoration of patent rights via the revival of abandoned applications and acceptance of delayed maintenance fee payments; and the restoration of the right of priority to a foreign application or the benefit of a provisional application in a subsequent application filed within two months of the expiration of the twelve-month period (six-month period for design applications) for filing such a subsequent application. This final rule also revises the patent term adjustment provisions to provide for a reduction of any patent term adjustment if an application is not in condition for examination within eight months of its filing date or date of commencement of national stage in an international application, and contains miscellaneous changes pertaining to the supplemental examination, inventor's oath or declaration, and first inventor to file provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA).

For more information: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-10-21/html/2013-24471.htm

Madrid Protocol Training for Advanced Users

Notice from the USPTO's PTRC Office:

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at its headquarters in Alexandria, VA. will hold a one-day seminar on using the Madrid Protocol. This seminar targets practitioners who are familiar with and have used the Madrid Protocol. The purpose of the seminar is to provide practical information on common issues as well as maintaining and managing the resulting international registration. Seminar highlights include: WIPO resources; issues to consider when preparing to file and actually filing an international application; the USPTO review process for certification of the international application; International Bureau review of the international application; and issues related to changing and renewing the international registration. A detailed agenda will be provided at a later date.

To attend in person, please send your name to TMFeedback@uspto.gov no later than c.o.b. Friday, October 18, with the subject line "Madrid Protocol advanced training."

Webcast instructions and agenda, are now available at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/notices/Madrid_Protocol_Seminar.jsp. Registration is not needed if you only plan to view the webcast. If possible, the USPTO will attempt to make a version available for viewing at a later time.