USPTO proposed Rules -- Small Entity Government Use License Exception

Please see the proposed rules from Federal Register, Vol. 85, no. 24 (Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020)
Page 6476-6482.

Small Entity Government Use License Exception

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Agents and attorneys: Learn to think like a patent examiner -- San Juan Pureto Rico

If you are a patent attorney or agent, it helps to think like an examiner. Sunday, February 16, is the last day to sign up for the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) agent/attorney three-day course on April 20-22 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Our trainers will lead this course based on material developed for our employees. During this event, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion and meet directly with our Commissioner for Patents Drew Hirshfeld and Deputy Commissioner for Patent Quality Valencia Martin Wallace.

The training is limited to those who have passed the patent bar. This is because it will make use of statutes, rules, and guidelines relevant to practicing before the USPTO. Priority will be given to those who have most recently passed the patent bar.

The USPTO has received CLE credit in Puerto Rico and Florida for this course.

Use the STEPP sign-up form to register to attend.

You can learn more about the program and upcoming sessions on the STEPP page of the USPTO website.

Copyright: Developing the Digital Marketplace for Copyrighted Works (Fourth Public Meeting)

On April 7, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will host the Fourth Public Meeting on Developing the Digital Marketplace for Copyrighted Works at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

Representatives from different content industries (music, movies, news, text, and visual arts) will discuss innovative business models and technologies used to facilitate a more robust and collaborative online marketplace for copyrighted works; provide updates regarding the development and use of standards, registries, and databases for identifying rights and content ownership information; and describe impediments to efficient licensing and monetization of creative material for online uses.

The meeting is free and open to members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis, either in person or online. The registration form includes a list of possible topics for the breakout sessions so the conference can be tailored to participants' interests. Please register early.

Additional information is available on the event page of the USPTO website.

Patent: Application readiness: Assessing incoming applications

Join us for the first Patent Quality Chat webinar of 2020, “Application readiness: Assessing incoming applications,” on February 19, from noon to 1 p.m. ET. You’ll learn how we are studying the quality of incoming applications and the impact on search and examination.

Attend via Livestream. No registration is necessary. For more information, see the event listing on the USPTO website.

Please send any comments or questions to patentquality@uspto.gov before or during the webinar.

The Patent Quality Chat webinar series is presented as a part of our continuous efforts to improve patent quality. 

Free roundtable on enforcing your intellectual property rights

Register to attend our roundtable on Wednesday, February 26, in Huntsville, Alabama: “USPTO roundtable on IP enforcement: What Alabama rights holders need to know.”

This program will include informative presentations and panel discussions tailored to the needs of Alabama’s business community. Featured speakers include Texas Regional USPTO Director Hope Shimabuku and USPTO Senior Counsel for China Michael Mangelson.

The program has been organized in cooperation with the Huntsville Madison County Chamber.

Trademark: New standard protective order for TTAB proceedings

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has an updated standard protective order (SPO) that went into effect on February 5. The new SPO reflects minor changes to wording for readability and clarity, with no substantive changes.

See the TTAB webpage on the USPTO website for more information.

Agents and attorneys: Learn to think like a patent examiner -- Boston

If you are a patent attorney or agent, it helps to think like an examiner. Sunday, February 16, is the last day to sign up for the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) agent/attorney three-day course on May 12-14 at the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Federal Building in Boston.

Our trainers will lead this course based on material developed for our employees. Training will focus on how our examiners review patent applications according to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). Similar to entry-level examiners, each trainee will use a sample application for the exercises.

The USPTO is applying for CLE credit in Maine and Vermont for this course.

Use the STEPP sign-up form to register to attend.

You can learn more about the program and upcoming sessions on the STEPP page of the USPTO website.

Trademark: TEAS and TEASi unavailable Saturday, Feb. 15

USPTO new exam guide, "Mandatory Electronic Filing and Specimen Requirements,” is effective February 15, 2020. It explains examination procedures in light of this rule change.

If you have questions about the guide, email TMPolicy@uspto.gov. 

Resources for mandatory electronic filing:

• USPTO makes electronic filing mandatory for trademark submissions
• TEAS and TEASi maintenance and enhancement

Trademark: Notice of system maintenance

Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) and Trademark Electronic Application System International (TEASi) will be unavailable due to system maintenance. After this maintenance period, you will be required to file electronically.

Watch the webinar video about mandatory electronic filing for more information about these changes.

When:

Saturday, February 15, from 12:01 a.m. until 8 a.m. ET

What you should do:

File all saved forms and e-signature forms by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 14. If you don’t file these forms by that time, you will have to start the process again with the new forms. We apologize for any inconvenience.

To find out more about changes we’re making to TEAS and TEASi:

Read the release highlights on our TEAS and TEASimaintenance and enhancement page.

Trademark: New exam guide on rule change effective Feb. 15

USPTO new exam guide, "Mandatory Electronic Filing and Specimen Requirements,” is effective February 15, 2020. It explains examination procedures in light of this rule change.

If you have questions about the guide, email TMPolicy@uspto.gov. 

Resources for mandatory electronic filing:

• USPTO makes electronic filing mandatory for trademark submissions
• TEAS and TEASi maintenance and enhancement

Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium on March 3, 2020

Attend the free Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium at the USPTO and learn about the resources and services available to assist and support women inventors and entrepreneurs.

The symposium will take place at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandra, Virginia. Registration is required for in-person attendance or you can watch it online via Livestream.

See Program Agenda

Patent: USPTO and Mexican Institute of Industrial Property launch new worksharing arrangement

Agreement makes it easier and faster obtain a patent in Mexico

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) agreed to launch a new worksharing arrangement that will accelerate the process of obtaining a patent in Mexico for businesses and individuals already in possession of a corresponding U.S. patent.

Under the terms of the agreement signed by USPTO Director Andrei Iancu and IMPI Director General Juan Lozano Tovar in Mexico City today, the two offices will implement a parallel patent grant framework that allows IMPI to leverage USPTO search and examination results when granting a counterpart Mexican patent.

For more information, see the full press release on our website.