Inventor Info Chat -- Patent Examination Process

The USPTO’s Inventor Info Chat webinar series continues on Jan. 18, 2018 from 11 a.m. to noon ET with an overview of the patent examination process. During the event, you can send questions and comments to inventorinfochat@uspto.gov. 

This is an excellent opportunity for independent inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to learn about the patent examination process, what communications to expect from the USPTO, and the best way to discuss your invention with the patent examiner assigned to your application.

Learn more and register to attend via our Inventor Info webinar event page. For assistance, please contact oidevents@uspto.gov.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board Presents

Best practices for presenting prior art and proving a document as a printed publication

Join PTAB for a Boardside Chat on Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 12-1 p.m. ET.

The program is free to attend.  Discussion topics include best practices for presenting prior art and proving a document is a printed publication.  Judges Lora Green and Brian McNamara will present and receive audience questions.  This topic is relevant for both ex parte appeal and AIA trial proceedings.  

The webinar is free and open to everyone. Here are details for viewing the program.

International Trademark Classification Changes

The Federal Register Volume 82, Number 230 (Friday, December 1, 2017), [Pages 56887-56890] presents the following final rule:

SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues a final rule to incorporate classification changes adopted by the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice
Agreement). These changes are effective January 1, 2018, and are listed in the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (11th ed., ver. 2018), which is published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

DATES: This rule is effective on January 1, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Cain, Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy, at (571) 272-8946 or TMFRNotices@uspto.gov.

For more information please visit: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-12-01/html/2017-25880.htm

Patent Quality Chat

The USPTO’s Patent Quality Chat webinar series continues Nov. 14 from noon – 1 p.m. ET with “How Is An Examiner’s Work Product Reviewed?” 

Experts from our Office of Patent Quality Assurance (OPQA) and Patent Operations will be on hand to discuss how quality fits in to a patent examiner’s performance appraisal plan and how the OPQA reviews and provides feedback to examiners.

We look forward to hearing your feedback about how a USPTO patent examiner’s work product is reviewed. Please send your input and questions to patentquality@uspto.gov before and during the event.

The Patent Quality Chat webinar series is presented as a part of USPTO’s continuous efforts to improve patent quality.  No registration is necessary; the link to join is available on the series web page.

January STEPP Training in Dallas for Agents & Attorneys

Registration is now open to attend the Jan. 9-11 USPTO Attorney and Agent Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) at the Texas Regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Dallas. The USPTO is applying for CLE credit in Texas for this three-day course.

This training, which will make use of statutes, rules, and guidelines relevant to practicing before the USPTO, is limited to those who have passed the patent bar, and priority will be given to those who have recently passed the patent bar. The course is led by USPTO trainers and is based on material developed for training patent examiners and other employees.

STEPP courses are planned throughout the year for attorneys and agents, and also for inventors. Courses are held in person across the country, and some are held virtually. For more information, and to see the schedule of upcoming courses, visit the STEPP page of the USPTO website.

Meet the Patent Experts and Meet the Trademark Experts--Wednesday, November 1, 2017

The Meet the Trademark Experts and Meet the Patent Experts series will be held on Wednesday, November 1 at the USPTO-Texas Regional Office. This is a special edition of our programming, where both events are held the same day in conjunction with Techweek Dallas. Meet the Trademark Experts will be from 1:00-2:00 PM and Meet the Patent Experts following at 2:30-3:30 PM.

This Techweek edition of our Experts series is a continued part of our ongoing outreach to independent inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. During these two seminars, you will have the opportunity to learn about the basics of intellectual property, how to file a trademark application and use USPTO resources for patent applications. The Meet the Patent Experts session is the first class out of a four-class series, and is a great starting point for new attendees.

Registration: 

Meet the Trademark Experts: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-trademark-experts-tickets-38515047544

Meet the Patent Experts: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-patent-experts-class-1-tickets-38600783984

These events are free and open to the public, but registration is recommended since space will be limited.

If you are unable to come to the Texas Regional Office in Dallas, TX, both of these will be webcasted to Patent & Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.  Please click HERE to find the PTRC nearest to you.  Please call ahead to ensure the seminar is being shown at your particular PTRC. (Note: Houston PTRC will not be able to host this webcast, please check other PTRCs.)

For inquiries about the event: please email TXROevents@uspto.gov, visit us at the https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/uspto-locations/dallas-texas, or call us at 469-295-9000.

Inventor Info Chat webcast in Spanish

Topic:  Patents Overview - In Spanish (En Española)


Date: Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017


Time: 11 am - Noon Eastern Time


To join the webinar:
https://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/inventor-info-chat#step2

Patent Quality Chat

The USPTO’s Patent Quality Chat webinar series continues Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. – noon ET to discuss “Examiners Provide Their Views on Prepared Applications.”

In a recent application readiness survey, we polled examiners to investigate patent application attributes that enhance the ability of examiners to efficiently and effectively do their job. Particular features in filed specifications, claims, and Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) documents were considered. Examiners across disciplines and experience levels commented on how these features helped or hindered their review of patent applications. 

Application readiness experts will discuss the survey results on Oct. 12. Share your ideas about how the USPTO can help you improve the quality of incoming patent applications. We look forward to hearing your feedback. Please send your input and questions to patentquality@uspto.gov before and during the event.

To attend the webinar, please click on Patent Quality Chat.

New Features for EFS-Web and Private PAIR

Effective Sept. 10, all EFS-Web-registered and Private PAIR users have access to new features, including the ability to file structured text via EFS-Web and access structured text submissions, structured text Office actions, and XML downloads via Private PAIR. 

For more information, please see the associated Quick Start Guides:

Text Intake in EFS-Web 
New Private PAIR Enhancements 

If you have questions or need assistance filing via EFS-Web or PAIR, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

Patent Quality Chat

Attend the USPTO’s Patent Quality Chat webinar tomorrow, Sept. 12, from noon – 1 p.m. ET using this link.

This month’s topic is “How Can the Patents Ombudsman and Pro Se Assistance Programs Work For You?”

New Webpage for Customers Affected by Hurricanes

The USPTO has a new webpage for customers affected by Hurricane Harvey. It includes contact information for those who may have questions or problems regarding applications or other proceedings related to patents, trademarks, or other business before the agency. The webpage will be updated to include links to forthcoming guidance and instructions for customers impacted by Harvey, and for those impacted by Hurricane Irma should it become necessary.

AAU Contact Center Closed 9/14 (11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)

The USPTO Application Assistance Unit (AAU) Contact Center will be closed Thursday, Sept. 14 from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. During this time, callers may leave a voicemail message with their contact information or email HelpAAU@uspto.gov.

Meet the Patent Experts: Class 2

Attend an interactive Q&A session with patent experts at the USPTO Texas Regional Office (TXRO).  Continuing in 2017, The TXRO will have its 4-class curriculum on patents.
Class 1 will be an overview of intellectual property with a focus on patents, EFS-Web and USPTO resources.

• Class 2 will cover provisional applications and key aspects.
• Class 3 will cover non-provisional applications and key aspects.
• Class 4 will cover claim drafting and pitfalls.

Current Schedule:
Class 1: May 17, 2017
Class 2: August 16, 2017
Class 3: September 20, 2017
Class 4: October 18, 2017


If you have questions about your current patent application or if you are looking to pursue one or if you are just interested, please join us.  
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended since space is limited. Register now to secure your seat.  Please go to https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/uspto-locations/dallas-tx/meet-patent-experts-class-2-0 to register.


NOTICE:
If you are unable to come to the Texas Regional Office in Dallas, TX. This event will be webcasted to Patent & Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Please check PTRC locations to find the PTRC nearest to you. Please call ahead to ensure the seminar is being shown at your particular PTRC.  For Rice University's PTRC, please call 713-348-5483.

Federal Agencies Tackling Trademark Scams

Some trademark applicants and registrants have paid fees to private companies while mistakenly thinking they were paying fees required by the USPTO. To combat this problem, last week, the USPTO co-hosted its first ever public roundtable on fraudulent solicitations with the Trademark Public Advisory Committee. The objectives of the event were to educate the public about the problem of misleading or fraudulent advertisements for trademark services, to learn more about what other government agencies were doing, and to brainstorm new ideas for tackling this complex issue.


The USPTO has worked closely in the past with other federal agencies on criminal prosecutions for fraudulent trademark solicitations. During the roundtable, representatives from DOJ and USPIS spoke about the recent criminal convictions in California of five individuals, including employees of a bank, who ran a lucrative trademark scam and knowingly laundered the proceeds. Two have been sentenced and the remaining three are scheduled for sentencing in August. To learn more about this case and the USPTO’s role in it, read my blog from December 2016.


To read the entire article, please visit: https://www.uspto.gov/blog/


This article is from USPTO's Director's Forum: A Blog from USPTO's Leadership.  This particular blog is written by Commissioner for Trademarks Mary Boney Denison.

Meet the Trademark Experts  

Join us at the USPTO Texas Regional Office where we will be hosting an interactive Q&A session with the Trademark Experts. If you have questions about your current trademark application or if you are looking to get one or you are just interested, please join us.  During this virtual meeting with the Trademark Assistance Center, participants will be able to ask questions through our video teleconferencing capability. The Trademark Assistance Center, located in Alexandria, Virginia, provides general information about the trademark registration process. This event is free and open to the public. Please bring your own lunch to enjoy during the session. Space is limited.  Please check back for further details about updated material.

Date : Wednesday, August 02, 2017 
Time : 12:30-1:30 PM, CT

To register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-trademark-experts-tickets-34855668242

NOTICE:
If you are unable to come to the Texas Regional Office in Dallas, TX. This event will be webcasted to Patent & Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Please check PTRC locations to find the PTRC nearest to you.

Please call ahead to ensure the seminar is being shown at your particular PTRC.

The program is free and open to the public. For inquiries about the event:
please email TXROevents@uspto.gov (link sends e-mail), visit us at the Texas Regional Office home page, or call us at 469-295-9000.

Inventor Info Chat – Webinar

Register for Inventor Info Chat – Webinar
Topic: “Office of Petitions – Overview and Helpful Tips”

The USPTO’s Inventor Info Chat webinar series continues on July 20 for a discussion on "Office of Petitions – Overview and Helpful Tips.” 

This presentation will provide an overview of:

• What is a petition?
• What are the 5 components of a petition?
• Decision Types
• Overview of the Office of Petitions
• Types of petitions handled in the Office of Petitions
• Overview of ePetitions
• Types of petitions that can be filed via an ePetition
• Helpful Hints

Register on Eventbrite to receive the presentation in advance of the program.

On the day of the event, attend via join the webinar.

During the event, please send questions to inventorinfochat@uspto.gov.

The Inventor Info Chat webinar series is presented by the Office of Innovation Development, which fosters invention and entrepreneurship by providing full access to the U.S. intellectual property system. For assistance, please send an email to oidevents@uspto.gov or visit our web page to see all upcoming programs. 

Independent Inventors Conference, Alexandria, VA, Aug. 11-12, 2017

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is hosting INVENTION-CON 2017 (Independent Inventors Conference in Alexandria, VA on Aug. 11-12, 2017.

Who Should Attend?
If you are an independent inventor, entrepreneur, small business owner, or an IP professional who works with them, this conference is for you. Attendees will have an opportunity to:

• Learn from successful business owners and inventors who will relate their personal experiences of bringing their ideas to market.
• Attend a variety of breakout sessions and workshops designed to cover a range of information from
• IP basics to detailed explanations on how to prepare and file a patent or trademark application.
• Network with other attendees and presenters who will share ideas and provide useful advice.

Patents Topics:

• Types of patent applications that you may file, including search tips prior to filing, requirements for claims and drawings, filing requirements and how to file electronically with our Electronic Filing System (EFS).
• Overview of the patent examination process.
• Resources to assist applicants with the patent process.

Trademarks Topics

• Trademark basics and fundamentals.
• Highlights of trademark-specific resources and tools.
• Summary of requirements for application filing and demonstration of how to file on-line using our Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).
• Responding to trademark Office action from examining attorney and appeal process.

See more at Invention-Con 2017

Extension of the Cancer Immunotherapy Pilot Program

The Federal Register Vol. 82, Number 120 (Friday, June 23, 2017) published a notice on pages 28645-28646 extending the Cancer Immunotherapy Pilot Program "which permits patent applications pertaining to cancer immunotherapy to be advanced out of turn for examination and reviewed earlier (accorded special status)."

See more at  https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-06-23/html/2017-13122.htm

Scam using the name “Patent and Trademark Resource Center, LLC.”

“Patent &Trademark Resource Center, LLC.”

The site — at http://www.ptrc.us/ — mimics the USPTO site, uses a “.us” upper level domain, and is replete with typos.  The same source has also reputedly sent out mailings.

This year another scam using “Patent & Trademark Resource Center” already appears on USPTO’s Non-USPTO Solicitations page.  Please visit this page to learn about this and other scams.

Please be caution your customers that some solicitations call themselves PTRCs.

Please visit the PTRC webpage to learn about the legitimate purposes of PTRCs: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/support-centers/patent-and-trademark-resource-centers-ptrcs

If you or one of your customers comes across deceptive solicitations, please also alert USPTO by sending an email to TMFeedback@uspto.gov and include copies of the notice and the envelope it came in.