The USPTO implemented a Fast-Track Pilot Program for Appeals Related to COVID-19, under which an appellant may have certain COVID-19-related ex parte appeals before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board accorded fast-track status. Appellants file a petition to request fast-track review of their COVID-19-related ex parte appeal—i.e., an appeal of an application that claims a
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP Blogs
Latest from Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
Special Verdicts and Instructions Result in Affirmance of District Court Denying Covidien’s Post-Trial Motion for Declaratory Judgment
By Publisher
In Covidien LP v. Brady Esch, 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 10155 (Ct. App. First Circuit, April 8, 2021), the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Judges Howard, Thompson, and Gelpí) affirmed the district court’s denial of Covidien’s post-trial declaratory judgment request that Esch assign any “Inventions” described in Esch’s patent applications to Covidien.Read
Prosecution Pointer 233
By Publisher
In April 2020, the International Bureau as receiving Office (RO/IB) decided to delay the issuance of any notifications declaring international applications as considered withdrawn for having failed to pay the appropriate fees within the prescribed time limit (Form PCT/RO/117) until 31 May 2020. The RO/IB has decided to extend that period, and is now deferring…
Prosecution Pointer 230
By Publisher
The USPTO extended the time period for petition for certain rights of priority or benefit in a patent application and waiving the associated petition fee. This relief extends the two-month time period for restoring the right of priority to or benefit of a foreign or provisional application for any nonprovisional application due to be filed…
Prosecution Pointer 229
By Publisher
Prosecution Pointer 228
By Publisher
The USPTO created a new-web based IP marketplace platform to provide the public with a searchable repository of patents and published applications related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are indicated as available for licensing. This new platform, entitled Patents 4 Partnerships, hopes to facilitate the voluntary licensing and commercialization of innovations in a variety of…
Prosecution Pointer 227
By Publisher
Prosecution Pointer 226
By Publisher
On May 6, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced it will temporarily permit the filing of plant patent applications and follow-on documents via the USPTO patent electronic filing systems (EFS-Web or Patent Center) until further notice. Filers are reminded that only registered users of the…
Prosecution Pointer 225
By Publisher
On May 8, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced a new COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program. Under this new pilot program, the USPTO will grant requests for prioritized examination to patent applicants that qualify for small or micro entity status without payment of the typical fees associated with other prioritized…
Prosecution Pointer 224
By Publisher
The USPTO created form PTO/SB/449 entitled “Statement of Delay Due to COVID-19 Outbreak” that can be used to assist the Office in identifying a request for relief due to the COVID-19 outbreak.Read more