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As much of the United States is taking steps towards getting back to normal, the USPTO continues to
implement programs to encourage investment and innovation in
technologies addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the USPTO
expanded the Patents for Humanity program to add a category for
COVID-19 related inventions and separately rolled out a new pilot
program offering fee-free expedited
ex parte appeals for
patent applications related to certain categories of COVID-19
inventions.
Patents For Humanity
The Patents for Humanity program is designed to recognize
Deadlines
After May 31, relief will be available to large entities on a
case by case basis. Deadlines
between
March 27 and July 30,
2020 for restoring priority of certain
applications are extended.
Misc.
September 17, 2020.
Initial examination of applications for trademarks related to
COVID-19 products or services may be advanced in certain
circumstances.
Handwritten signatures no longer required; Patents 4 Partnership
programs has been launched, with a focus on COVID-19 related
technologies; applications for patent term extensions may be
submitted via EFS.
April 14, 2021 – The USPTO
is accepting petitions for expedited resolution of ex parte appeals
for COVID-related inventions at no cost. The program is
limited to 500 appeals and the goal is to issue a decision within
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As much of the United States is taking steps towards “getting back to normal,” the USPTO continues to implement programs to encourage investment and innovation in technologies addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the USPTO expanded the Patents for Humanity program to add a category for COVID-19 related inventions and separately rolled out a new pilot program offering fee-free expedited
ex parte appeals for patent applications related to certain categories of COVID-19 inventions.
Patents For Humanity
The Patents for Humanity program is designed to recognize innovators using patented or patent pending technologies for humanitarian purposes, addressing what the USPTO refers to as “global humanitarian challenges.” The original award categories included the fields of household energy, living standards, medicine, nutrition, and sanitation. For example, the 2020 awards recognized inventions in medical fields
New USPTO COVID-19 Initiatives Tuesday, May 11, 2021
As much of the United States is taking steps towards “getting back to normal,” the USPTO continues to implement programs to encourage investment and innovation in technologies addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the USPTO expanded the Patents for Humanity program to add a category for COVID-19 related inventions and separately rolled out a new pilot program offering fee-free expedited
ex parte appeals for patent applications related to certain categories of COVID-19 inventions.
Patents For Humanity
The Patents for Humanity program is designed to recognize innovators using patented or patent pending technologies for humanitarian purposes, addressing what the USPTO refers to as “global humanitarian challenges.” The original award categories included the fields of household energy, living standards, medicine, nutrition, and sanitation. For example, the 2020 awards recognized inventions in medical
Thursday, April 15, 2021
As a companion to the COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program and patent-related relief provided by the 2020 CARES Act, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) recently announced a similar Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program for patent applications claiming a process or product requiring FDA approval for COVID–19 use. In general, under 35 U.S.C. § 134, once an Applicant’s claims have been twice rejected, the Applicant has a right to appeal the Examiner’s decision to a panel of administrative patent judges on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”). However, one drawback to the appeals process can be the average appeal pendency of 13 months to receive a decision.