There has been a lot of talk about patent reform and how it will change from a first-to-invent form to first-to-file. AJC looks at some of the other major elements involved in the reform.
- Gives the Patent and Trade Office more authority to set fees and keep the fees it collects so that it has enough money to reduce the backlog in processing patent applications.
- Seeks to improve patent quality by allowing third parties a chance to submit information on pending applications and establishing a review process to challenge faulty patents.
- Creates a supplemental examination system where applicants, particularly small inventors and startups that may lack filing expertise, can return to the patent office with additional material to clarify issues with their applications.
Logo from the United States Patent and Trademark Office