USPTO Revises Effective Date of "Track One" Fast-Track Patent Processing

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced plans for the agency to begin accepting requests for prioritized examination of patent applications through the Track One prioritized patent examination program that took effect on Monday September 26, 2011.

“Track One provides a comprehensive, flexible patent application processing model to our nation’s innovators, offering different processing options that are more responsive to the real-world needs of our applicants,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. “We are now in a position to offer this program which will bring the most important new products and services to market more quickly, helping to build businesses and create new jobs in America.”

Track One, which is part of the USPTO’s Three-Track Program, will provide applicants with greater control over when their applications are examined and promote greater efficiency in the patent examination process. Track One will allow inventors and businesses, for a fee, to have their patents processed within 12 months.

The application must be an original utility or plant nonprovisional application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) on or after September 26, 2011, the new effective date of the Track One final rule.

Also See:

USPTO to Implement Inventor’s Oath or Declaration Provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Seeks Public Input on Proposed Fees

USPTO to Test New Post Final Rejection Option

USPTO Expands Patent Law School Clinic Certification Pilot Program

USPTO Launches Small Business Innovation Research Pilot Program