USPTO announces a proposed rule to require electronic filing of patent term extension applications

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Patent Alert

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USPTO announces a proposed rule to require electronic filing of patent term extension applications

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to revise the rules of practice to require that patent term extension (PTE) applications, interim PTE applications, and any related submissions to the USPTO be submitted electronically via the USPTO patent electronic filing system. The proposed rule changes would reduce the administrative burden on PTE applicants. They would also further advance the USPTO’s information technology strategy to achieve complete beginning-to-end electronic processing of patent-related submissions, thereby improving administrative efficiency by facilitating electronic file management, optimizing workflow processes, and reducing processing errors.

The full text of the notice is available at the Federal Register and on the USPTO’s Patent Related Notices webpage. You must submit comments on the NPRM by July 5, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, to ensure consideration.