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