USPTO Patent and Trademark News
In February 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark office (“USPTO”) released its annual Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2020. Overall, the report showed an increase in U.S. trademark application filings in fiscal year 2020 but a slight decrease in trademark renewals compared to fiscal year 2019
In February 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark office (“USPTO”) released its annual Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2020. Overall, the report showed a slight decrease in U.S. patent application filings in fiscal year 2020 but an increase in patent issuances across utility, design, and plant applications compared to fiscal year 2019. Additionally, the USPTO is now offering final decisions faster, with an average time of 23.3 months compared to 23.8 months in 2019. The USPTO maintained their goal of 14.8 months for average first action pendency.*
As reported in the Staas & Halsey New Bulletin of July 13, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program to speed up patent examination and ex parte appeals. Under the Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program, the USPTO expected the average ex parte appeal to be decided within six months from the date a petition to request the fast-track appeal was granted.