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