USPTO to Test New Post Final Rejection Option

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its on-going efforts towards compact prosecution and increased collaboration between examiners and stakeholders, has announced the start of the After Final Consideration Pilot (AFCP).

The After Final Consideration Pilot (AFCP) is part of the USPTO’s on-going efforts towards compact prosecution and increased collaboration between examiners and stakeholders.

“Compact prosecution is one of our top goals,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, David Kappos. “The AFCP pilot will allow some additional flexibility for applicants and examiners to work together in after final situations to move applications toward allowance.”

AFCP authorizes a limited amount of non-production time for examiners to consider responses filed after a final rejection.  USPTO seeks to determine if authorizing this time will increase the number of applications that are allowed at that point in prosecution and reduce the number of Requests for Continued Examination (RCEs).

For utility, plant and reissue applications, the limited amount of time is three hours; for design applications, one hour. Examiners will be encouraged to use their professional judgment to decide whether a response can be fully considered, including any additional search required, within the time limit in order to determine whether the application is in condition for allowance.

Also See:

Strong Growth in Demand for Intellectual Property Rights in 2012 – WIPO

USPTO Updates Professional Conduct Rules and Registration Examination for Patent Attorneys

Expanded SHIELD Act Filed to Combat Patent Trolls

USPTO Publishes Final Rules and Guidelines Governing First-Inventor-to-File

USPTO Seeking Comments on Matters Related to the Harmonization of Substantive Patent Law