The USPTO launched the Automated Pre-Examination Search Pilot Program on 2025 October 20 and it failed. They are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the patent examination workflow. Our advice was to not use it. Others agreed since only 169 applications made use of the program. So 2026 March 23, the USPTO waived the fee. Even...Read More
US Patent Office issues new guidelines for AI-assisted inventions. The new director of the USPTO was busy during the last week of November – busy upsetting the robots of the future. John Squires stated that the patent office considers generative AI systems to be “analogous to laboratory equipment, computer software, research databases, or any other...Read More
September, October and November of 2025 have seen several significant changes at the USPTO. In recent posts, we shared with you details of the Performance Appraisal Plan (PAP) and changes to it. An important change in the PAP relates to interviews and your USPTO interview strategy. Background You’ve probably read all the etiquette on interviews,...Read More
The fall of 2025 saw several significant changes and announcements at the USPTO, particularly in the areas of leadership shifts, Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, new procedures, guidance on subject matter eligibility, proposed rules for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). However, the USPTO is changing the Performance Appraisal Plan (PAP). Overview of PAPs As...Read More
The USPTO has proposed changes to the examiners’ Performance Appraisal Plan (PAP) with effect on applicants and, to a lesser extent, their patent agents. Nobody is sure how to meet these changes, but we will review the system, the changes, and our suggestions over a few posts: PAP and counts — the mysterious way the...Read More
Consider whether you should change your patent prosecution strategy. There are many changes at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. These include robot examiners, new acceleration programs, changes to the way the examiner corps is evaluated, and many other changes. However, a more subtle change is that the office is more likely not to...Read More
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is stepping up enforcement against applicants who falsely claim small entity or micro entity status to receive fee discounts. This enforcement started in 2023, but a new June 2025 memo outlines a formal notice-and-order process with real consequences, such as removal from examination, penalties, and delays in patent...Read More
The USPTO has specific and unique practices for formal documents. Understanding these practices and especially the requirements on signatures can save you a lot of time.Read More
The USPTO has announced significant fee increases for your patent applications to take effect in 2025. Many changes are cost adjustments to cover inflation, but others are designed to change your behaviour.Read More
