[Federal Register: February 4, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 24)]
[Proposed Rules][Page 6369-6376]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr04fe11-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
37 CFR Part 1 [Docket No. PTO-P-2010-0092] RIN 0651-AC52
Changes To Implement the Prioritized Examination Track (Track I)
of the Enhanced Examination Timing Control Procedures
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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To view the complete text of this proposed rule, access http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2011_register&docid=fr04fe11-18.
SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office)requested comments on a proposal to provide applicants with greater control over when their utility and plant applications are examined and to promote greater efficiency in the patent examination process (3-Track). The Office, in addition to requesting written comments, conducted a public meeting to collect input, and has subsequently considered the wide range of comments received. The Office is in the process of refining the 3-Track proposal in light of the input. While that process continues, and in light of the fact that the vast majority of public input was supportive of the Track I portion of the 3-Track proposal, the Office proposes by this Notice to proceed with immediate implementation of the Prioritized Examination Track (Track I), providing fast examination for applicants desiring it, upon payment of the applicable fee and compliance with the additional requirements as described below.
(To view the additional requirements of this proposed rule, access http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2011_register&docid=fr04fe11-18.)
DATES: Comment Deadline Date: Written comments must be received on or
before March 7, 2011. No public hearing will be held. (See the complete text for contact information.)