““Welcome to the Table”Welcome to the Table”
May 15, 2006May 15, 2006
Jay LucasJay Lucas
Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy
22
The Need for ChangeThe Challenges of the Corps
First Course - AppetizersFirst Course - Appetizers
33
Patent* Applications FiledPatent* Applications Filed
0
50000
100000150000
200000
250000
300000350000
400000
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
FY 05 plan 375,080 (5.5% above FY 04)
FY 05 actual 384,228 (8.1% above FY04)
2.6% over plan
Patent* - in this instance refers to only utility, plant and reissue applications Patent* - in this instance refers to only utility, plant and reissue applications
44
First Action Pendency by Art AreasFirst Action Pendency by Art Areas
High Pendency Art AreasPendency
1
(months)Low Pendency Art Areas
Pendency1
(months)1640 – Immunology, Receptor/ Ligands, Cytokines, Recombinant Hormones, and Molecular Biology
27.71620 – Heterocyclic Compounds and Uses
16.9
1743 – Analytic Chemistry & Wave Energy
30.8 1752 – Radiation Imagery 12.1
2123 – Simulation and Modeling, Emulation of Computer Components
39.72125 – Manufacturing Control Systems and Chemical/ Mechanical/Electrical Control
20.0
2617 – Interactive Video Distribution 50.42651 – Dynamic Information Storage & Retrieval
16.1
2836 – Control Circuits 24.3 2833 – Electrical Connectors 7.8
3628 – Finance & Banking, Accounting 52.1 3612 – Land Vehicles 12.0
3731 – Surgery: Cutting, Clamping, Suturing
30.9 3723 – Tools & Metal Working 10.9
1 “Average 1st action pendency” is the average age from filing to first action for a newly filed application, completed during
October-December 2005.
55
““So Go and Hire Some Examiners”So Go and Hire Some Examiners”
1600 1700 2100 2600 2800 3600 3700 Corps Design
FY 04 Hires 75 35 115 116 31 26 45 443 15
FY 04 Attritions 30 26 58 82 58 43 39 336 4
FY 05 BOY Examiner Staff
417 440 563 658 742 422 439 3681 72
FY 05 Hiring 101 58 225 169 184 91 131 959 19
FY 05 Attrits 42 39 93 92 54 55 50 425 10
FY 06 Hiring Goal 75 35 256 256 178 100 100 1000 20
FY 06 hires (1/25/06) 30 19 75 62 40 22 21 269 0
FY05 Hires as a Percent of Examiner Staffing in the TC
24% 13% 40% 26% 25% 22% 30% 26% 26%
Pendency Reduction Action Plan (8.1% filing growth rate)
Update on Published NPRsUpdate on Published NPRsClaims and ContinuationsClaims and Continuations
Jay Lucas
88
Claims-Continuations UpdateClaims-Continuations Update
1. Notices of proposed rule makings (NPRMs) concerning claims and continuing applications were published on January 3, 2006
2. The comment period for these NPRMs closed on May 3, 2006
188 comments on the claims NPRM received
334 comments on the continuing applications NPRM received
99
What suggestions would you make?What suggestions would you make?
What changes would you make to the notice of proposed rule making for the examination of claims?
What changes would you make to the notice of proposed rule making for the practice of continuing applications?
1010
Initiatives On the TableInitiatives On the Table
Second Course – Dinner is ServedSecond Course – Dinner is Served
1111
Many New Policy Initiatives and Many New Policy Initiatives and Potential ProjectsPotential Projects
1. Accelerated Examination
2. Markush or Other Alternative Language
3. Preexamination Search Report
4. Information Disclosure Statements
5. Notice of Inquiry – Inequitable Conduct
6. Peer to Peer Pilot
7. Deferred Examination
1212
The Sweet Things in LifeThe Sweet Things in Life
Third Course – DessertThird Course – Dessert
1313
Sweets and TreatsSweets and Treats
1. Priority Document Exchange
2. EFS-Web
1414
UserAccesses USPTO
Portal
UserAccesses USPTO
Portal
Access EFS-WebAs Unregistered
Filer
Access EFS-WebAs Unregistered
Filer
Authenticate as Registered
Filer
Authenticate as Registered
Filer
•New Application•Design•Utility•Provisional•371
•Existing Application•Saved Package•Last 20 EFS receipts
•New Application•Design•Utility•Provisional•371
Pay FeesVia RAMInterface
Pay FeesVia RAMInterface
Access Filing in Private PAIR
(Registered Filer Only)
Access Filing in Private PAIR
(Registered Filer Only)
ReceiveAcknowledgement
Receipt
ReceiveAcknowledgement
Receipt
ChoosePaymentOptions
ChoosePaymentOptions
EnterKey Bibliographic
Data (New Only)
EnterKey Bibliographic
Data (New Only)
Attach PDFFiles
Attach PDFFiles
Uploadand
Validate
Uploadand
Validate
CalculateFees
(Optional)
CalculateFees
(Optional)SubmitSubmit
Overview Overview How EFS-Web WorksHow EFS-Web Works
1515
EFS-Web BenefitsEFS-Web Benefits
Requires no changes to your existing patent application authoring process
Eliminates charges for Express Mail & couriers
Eliminates possibility of losing applications enroute to USPTO
Dramatically reduces paper and file storage costs
Allows online collaboration among IP professionals who can file applications and papers anywhere, anytime
Plays a vital role in strengthening the U.S. IP system
1616
EFS-Web BenefitsEFS-Web Benefits
Safe EFS-Web submissions protect your filing date
just like a post card receipt
Simple Even the largest and most complex patent
applications can be submitted using PDF files and a few web screens
Secure EFS-Web submissions are protected through
Digital Certificates, the most secure method now available
1717
EFS-Web BenefitsEFS-Web Benefits
Fast Patent applications and documents can be
submitted and a receipt obtained in minutes
Flexible Requires NO changes to the processes &
tools you use to author patent applications and documents
Forgiving Checks documents before submission to
ensure compatibility with USPTO standards
1818
Contact InformationContact Information
Jay Lucas
Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 571-272-8800