PTO To Hold Town-Hall Meeting on Proposed Changes to Examination Practice

The USPTO has announced a town-hall meeting to be held February 1, 2006, in Chicago, IL (at Northwestern Law School).  The meeting will provide an opportunity to provide feedback on the PTO’s proposed changes to (1) limit the examination of claims dependent, and (2) stop allowing continuing applications, CIP’s, or , RCE’s except under limited circumstances. [Link: Sweeping Changes] According to the PTO:

The changes will make the patent examination process more effective and efficient by reducing the amount of rework by the USPTO and the time it takes for the patent review process. In addition they will improve the quality of issued patents and ensure that the USPTO continues to promote innovation.

Commissioner for Patents John Doll and PTO General Counsel James Toupin will provide an overview of the challenges the USPTO faces and the reasons why the proposed new rules are necessary. A question and answer session will follow immediately after their presentations.

Registration:

• http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/townhall.htm or call 571-272-8850.
• Future meetings will be held in California, Texas and Washington, D.C..