{"description":"Documents matching 'increase efficiency enable uspto more'","count":99,"total_pages":5,"next_page_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents?conditions%5Bterm%5D=increase+efficiency+enable+uspto+more&format=json&page=2","results":[{"title":"Required Use by Foreign Applicants and Patent Owners of a Patent Practitioner","type":"Rule","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is amending the Rules of Practice in Patent Cases to require patent applicants and patent owners whose domicile is not located within the United States (U.S.) or its territories (hereinafter foreign applicants/inventors and patent owners) to be represented by a registered patent practitioner. A requirement that foreign applicants/ inventors and patent owners be represented by a registered patent practitioner will bring the U.S. in line with most other countries that require that such parties be represented by a licensed or registered person of that country. Additionally, this requirement will increase efficiency and enable the USPTO to more effectively use available mechanisms to enforce compliance by all foreign applicants/inventors and patent owners with U.S. statutory and regulatory requirements in patent matters, and enhance the USPTO's ability to respond to false certifications, misrepresentations, and fraud.","document_number":"2026-05564","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/20/2026-05564/required-use-by-foreign-applicants-and-patent-owners-of-a-patent-practitioner","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-03-20/pdf/2026-05564.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-05564.pdf?1773924326","publication_date":"2026-03-20","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"treated in other countries and harmonizes U.S. practice with the rest of the world; (2) <span class=\"match\">increases</span> <span class=\"match\">efficiency</span> as the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> spends significant resources assisting \n pro se \n applicants (\n i.e., \n an applicant who is prosecuting the application without a registered patent practitioner); (3) <span class=\"match\">enables</span> the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> to <span class=\"match\">more</span> effectively use available mechanisms to enforce compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements in patent matters; and (4) enhances the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> ability to respond to false certifications, misrepresentations, and fraud.\n \n A. Harmonization"},{"title":"Required Use by Foreign Applicants and Patent Owners of a Patent Practitioner","type":"Proposed Rule","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is proposing to amend the Rules of Practice in Patent Cases to require patent applicants and patent owners whose domicile is not located within the United States (U.S.) or its territories (hereinafter foreign applicants/inventors and patent owners) to be represented by a registered patent practitioner. A requirement that foreign applicants/ inventors and patent owners be represented by a registered patent practitioner would bring the United States in line with most other countries that require that such parties be represented by a licensed or registered person of that country. Additionally, this requirement would increase efficiency and enable the USPTO to more effectively use available mechanisms to enforce compliance by all foreign applicants/ inventors and patent owners with U.S. statutory and regulatory requirements in patent matters, and enhance the USPTO's ability to respond to false certifications, misrepresentations, and fraud.","document_number":"2025-23917","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23917/required-use-by-foreign-applicants-and-patent-owners-of-a-patent-practitioner","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-29/pdf/2025-23917.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-23917.pdf?1766497523","publication_date":"2025-12-29","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"United States Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"country. Additionally, this requirement would <span class=\"match\">increase</span> <span class=\"match\">efficiency</span> and <span class=\"match\">enable</span> the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> to <span class=\"match\">more</span> effectively use available mechanisms to enforce compliance by all foreign applicants/inventors and patent owners with U.S. statutory and regulatory requirements in patent matters, and enhance the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> ability to respond to false certifications, misrepresentations, and fraud. \n \n \n DATES: \n Comments must be received by January 28, 2026 to ensure consideration. \n \n \n ADDRESSES: \n \n For reasons of government <span class=\"match\">efficiency</span>, comments must be submitted through the"},{"title":"Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program","type":"Notice","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is implementing the Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program to evaluate how having a limited number of claims under examination impacts pendency and examination quality. Under the pilot program, certain pending utility patent applications that have no more than one independent claim and no more than ten total claims may be eligible for expedited examination, if the requirements specified in this notice are met. An applicant may comply with the claim requirements of the pilot program by filing a preliminary amendment before or with a petition to make special under the pilot program. Applications accepted into the pilot program will be advanced out of turn (i.e., accorded special status) for examination until a first Office action is issued. This notice sets forth the requirements of the pilot program and describes how the pilot program will be administered. The USPTO anticipates that focusing examination resources on already-filed, unexamined applications that have a streamlined claim set will enhance efforts to reduce the USPTO's inventory and pendency, and that the data gathered from this pilot program will support designing future efforts to expedite patent examination.","document_number":"2025-19669","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/27/2025-19669/streamlined-claim-set-pilot-program","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-10-27/pdf/2025-19669.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-19669.pdf?1761309906","publication_date":"2025-10-27","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"electronically using the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> Patent Center (at \n www.uspto.gov/PatentCenter \n ). Applicants must file the petition using the document description (“Petition for Streamlined Claim Set Pilot”) indicated on form PTO/SB/472. In addition, the application must have been filed using the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> patent electronic filing system (currently Patent Center).\n \n (6) Use of DOCX Format for the Specification, Claim(s), and Abstract \n \n DOCX format delivers a number of benefits, including <span class=\"match\">increased</span> <span class=\"match\">efficiencies</span> and higher data quality, that enhance the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> ability to expedite"},{"title":"Revision to Rules of Practice Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board","type":"Proposed Rule","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) proposes modifications to the rules of practice for inter partes review (IPR) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB or Board) that the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of USPTO and, by delegation, the PTAB will use in instituting IPR.","document_number":"2025-19580","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/17/2025-19580/revision-to-rules-of-practice-before-the-patent-trial-and-appeal-board","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-10-17/pdf/2025-19580.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-19580.pdf?1760618706","publication_date":"2025-10-17","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"the item “Petitions for \n Inter Partes \n Review.” The <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> currently estimates that 1,300 petitions are submitted annually and 120 hours are needed to file each petition. The <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> is proposing to add one hour to the estimated time to file to account for the preparation and submission of the stipulation proposed in this rule, thus <span class=\"match\">increasing</span> the time estimate for this petition to 121 hours. Therefore, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> calculates that this information collection's estimated annual burden will <span class=\"match\">increase</span> by 1,300 hours and $581,100 in hourly cost. This rulemaking"},{"title":"Setting and Adjusting Trademark Fees During Fiscal Year 2025","type":"Rule","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) sets or adjusts trademark fees, as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), as amended by the Study of Underrepresented Classes Chasing Engineering and Science Success Act of 2018 (SUCCESS Act). The fee adjustments will provide the USPTO sufficient aggregate revenue to recover the aggregate costs of trademark operations in future years (based on assumptions and estimates found in the agency's Fiscal Year 2025 Congressional Justification (FY 2025 Budget)), including implementing the USPTO 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan).","document_number":"2024-26644","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/18/2024-26644/setting-and-adjusting-trademark-fees-during-fiscal-year-2025","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-11-18/pdf/2024-26644.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-26644.pdf?1731678322","publication_date":"2024-11-18","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"\n Comment 8: \n One commenter asserted that previous fee <span class=\"match\">increases</span> have not improved operations, as processing times for applications have risen sharply since the last time fees were <span class=\"match\">increased</span> in 2021; therefore, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> should not <span class=\"match\">increase</span> fees, as a fee <span class=\"match\">increase</span> is unlikely to improve agency <span class=\"match\">efficiency</span>.\n \n \n Response: \n The <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> acknowledges that processing times and pendency have <span class=\"match\">increased</span> for trademark applications. These delays are the result of several years of sustained <span class=\"match\">increases</span> in trademark application filings, punctuated by an unprecedented"},{"title":"Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2025","type":"Rule","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) sets or adjusts patent fees as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), as amended by the Study of Underrepresented Classes Chasing Engineering and Science Success Act of 2018 (SUCCESS Act). The fee adjustments are needed to provide the USPTO with sufficient aggregate revenue to recover the aggregate estimated costs of patent operations in future years (based on assumptions and estimates found in the agency's Fiscal Year 2025 Congressional Justification (FY 2025 Budget)), including implementing the USPTO 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan).","document_number":"2024-26821","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/20/2024-26821/setting-and-adjusting-patent-fees-during-fiscal-year-2025","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-11-20/pdf/2024-26821.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-26821.pdf?1732023917","publication_date":"2024-11-20","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"In addition to <span class=\"match\">increased</span> entity discounts, the UAIA <span class=\"match\">increases</span> costs through its provision that requires that the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> establish a new Southeast Regional Office and four new community outreach offices, including one in northern New England. The <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> must also conduct a study to determine whether additional offices are required to achieve AIA mandates and to <span class=\"match\">increase</span> participation of underrepresented inventors in the patent system.\n \n Higher-than-expected inflation in the broader U.S. economy starting in 2021 <span class=\"match\">increased</span> the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> operating costs"},{"title":"Setting and Adjusting Trademark Fees During Fiscal Year 2025","type":"Proposed Rule","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) proposes to set and adjust trademark fees, as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), as amended by the Study of Underrepresented Classes Chasing Engineering and Science Success Act of 2018 (SUCCESS Act). The proposed fee adjustments will provide the USPTO sufficient aggregate revenue to recover the aggregate costs of trademark operations in future years (based on assumptions and estimates found in the agency's Fiscal Year 2025 Congressional Justification (FY 2025 Budget)), including implementing the USPTO 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan).","document_number":"2024-06186","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/03/26/2024-06186/setting-and-adjusting-trademark-fees-during-fiscal-year-2025","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-03-26/pdf/2024-06186.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-06186.pdf?1711370716","publication_date":"2024-03-26","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"involves only the applicant and the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span>. \n The <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> costs for reviewing and processing each letter of protest are <span class=\"match\">more</span> than six times the current fee. This imbalance between the fee collected and the cost to perform the service are compounded by a substantial <span class=\"match\">increase</span> in letters of protest forwarded to the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> each year, which have risen from about 2,300 in FY 2016 to nearly 4,000 in FY 2023. The agency estimates this volume will grow to <span class=\"match\">more</span> than 5,000 letters annually by FY 2029, further <span class=\"match\">increasing</span> the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> overall associated costs. \n When"},{"title":"Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2025","type":"Proposed Rule","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) proposes to set or adjust patent fees as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), as amended by the Study of Underrepresented Classes Chasing Engineering and Science Success Act of 2018 (SUCCESS Act). The proposed fee adjustments are needed to provide the USPTO with sufficient aggregate revenue to recover the aggregate costs of patent operations in future years (based on assumptions and estimates found in the agency's Fiscal Year 2025 Congressional Justification (FY 2025 Budget)), including implementing the USPTO 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan).","document_number":"2024-06250","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/03/2024-06250/setting-and-adjusting-patent-fees-during-fiscal-year-2025","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-04-03/pdf/2024-06250.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-06250.pdf?1712061914","publication_date":"2024-04-03","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"In addition to <span class=\"match\">increased</span> entity discounts, the UAIA <span class=\"match\">increases</span> costs through its provision that requires that the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> establish a new Southeast Regional Office and four new community outreach offices—including one in northern New England. The <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> must also conduct a study to determine whether additional offices are required to achieve AIA mandates and to <span class=\"match\">increase</span> participation of underrepresented inventors in the patent system. \n Higher-than-expected inflation in 2021 and 2022 in the broader U.S. economy <span class=\"match\">increased</span> the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> operating costs"},{"title":"Guidance on Use of Artificial Intelligence-Based Tools in Practice Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office","type":"Notice","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues this guidance to inform practitioners and the public of the important issues that patent and trademark professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs must navigate while using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in matters before the USPTO. The USPTO recognizes the possibility that AI will be used to prepare and prosecute patent and trademark applications, as well as other filings before the Office including filings submitted to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). While the USPTO is committed to maximizing AI's benefits and seeing them distributed broadly across society, the USPTO recognizes the need, through technical mitigations and human governance, to cabin the risks arising from the use of AI in practice before the USPTO. At this time, based on the USPTO's engagement with stakeholders through the USPTO's AI and Emerging Technologies (ET) Partnership (AI/ET Partnership) and a review of existing rules, the USPTO has determined that existing rules protect the USPTO's ecosystem against such potential perils. This guidance reminds individuals involved in proceedings before the USPTO of the pertinent rules and policies, helps inform those same individuals of the risks associated with the use of AI systems, and provides suggestions to mitigate those risks. The USPTO will continue to engage with the public, including through the AI/ET Partnership, as the use of AI advances and evolves.","document_number":"2024-07629","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/11/2024-07629/guidance-on-use-of-artificial-intelligence-based-tools-in-practice-before-the-united-states-patent","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-04-11/pdf/2024-07629.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-07629.pdf?1712753115","publication_date":"2024-04-11","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"across society, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> recognizes the need, through technical mitigations and human governance, to cabin the risks arising from the use of AI in practice before the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span>. At this time, based on the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> engagement with stakeholders through the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> AI and Emerging Technologies (ET) Partnership (AI/ET Partnership) and a review of existing rules, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> has determined that existing rules protect the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> ecosystem against such potential perils. This guidance reminds individuals involved in proceedings before the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> of the pertinent"},{"title":"Group Registration of Updates to a News Website","type":"Rule","abstract":"The U.S. Copyright Office is creating a new group registration for frequently updated news websites. This option will enable online news publishers to register a group of updates to a news website as a collective work with a deposit composed of identifying material representing sufficient portions of the work, rather than the complete contents of the website. The final rule is nearly identical to the provisions set forth in the January 2024 notice of proposed rulemaking, with one modification in response to public comments and one to reflect a technical change in the process for submitting these claims.","document_number":"2024-15880","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/07/22/2024-15880/group-registration-of-updates-to-a-news-website","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-07-22/pdf/2024-15880.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-15880.pdf?1721393113","publication_date":"2024-07-22","agencies":[{"raw_name":"LIBRARY OF CONGRESS","name":"Library of Congress","id":277,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/library-of-congress","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/277","parent_id":null,"slug":"library-of-congress"},{"raw_name":"Copyright Office","name":"Copyright Office, Library of Congress","id":87,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/copyright-office-library-of-congress","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/87","parent_id":277,"slug":"copyright-office-library-of-congress"}],"excerpts":"\n At this time, given administrative capabilities, the Office cannot expand the option to cover <span class=\"match\">more</span> than one month of updates. As the NPRM explained, to deliver the option promptly, and to minimize development time, the Office is adapting the existing group application for newspapers, which is used to register up to one month of newspaper issues and contains technical validations that prevent applicants from entering publication dates that are <span class=\"match\">more</span> than one month apart. Changing the limit would require additional modifications to the application"},{"title":"Spring 2024 Semiannual Agenda of Regulations","type":"Proposed Rule","abstract":"In compliance with Executive Order 12866, entitled \"Regulatory Planning and Review,\" and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, the Department of Commerce (Commerce), in the spring and fall of each year, publishes in the Federal Register an agenda of regulations under development or review over the next 12 months. Rulemaking actions are grouped according to pre-rulemaking, proposed rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed since the publication of the Fall 2023 Unified Agenda. The purpose of the Agenda is to provide information to the public on regulations that are currently under review, being proposed, or recently issued by Commerce. It is expected that this information will enable the public to participate more effectively in Commerce's regulatory process. Commerce's Spring 2024 Unified Agenda includes regulatory activities that are expected to be conducted during the period July 1, 2024, through June 31, 2024.","document_number":"2024-16446","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/08/16/2024-16446/spring-2024-semiannual-agenda-of-regulations","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-08-16/pdf/2024-16446.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-16446.pdf?1723725919","publication_date":"2024-08-16","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Office of the Secretary"}],"excerpts":"the publication of the Fall 2023 Unified Agenda.\n \n The purpose of the Agenda is to provide information to the public on regulations that are currently under review, being proposed, or recently issued by Commerce. It is expected that this information will <span class=\"match\">enable</span> the public to participate <span class=\"match\">more</span> effectively in Commerce's regulatory process. \n Commerce's Spring 2024 Unified Agenda includes regulatory activities that are expected to be conducted during the period July 1, 2024, through June 31, 2024. \n \n \n FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: \n \n \n Specific:"},{"title":"Request for Comments on Southeast Regional Office and Community Outreach Office Locations","type":"Notice","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is seeking information to inform the planning and design of the USPTO satellite offices (regional offices) and newly-authorized community outreach offices (COOs). The USPTO is also seeking information on potential locations for a future USPTO regional office in the southeast region of the United States (Southeast Regional Office or SERO) and a COO in the northern New England (NNE) region (Northern New England Community Outreach Office) that the USPTO was directed to establish under the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022 (UAIA), signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 on December 29, 2022.","document_number":"2023-12824","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/06/14/2023-12824/request-for-comments-on-southeast-regional-office-and-community-outreach-office-locations","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-06-14/pdf/2023-12824.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-12824.pdf?1686660331","publication_date":"2023-06-14","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"United States Patent and Trademark Office (<span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> or Office) is seeking information to inform the planning and design of the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> satellite offices (regional offices) and newly-authorized community outreach offices (COOs). The <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> is also seeking information on potential locations for a future <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> regional office in the southeast region of the United States (Southeast Regional Office or SERO) and a COO in the northern New England (NNE) region (Northern New England Community Outreach Office) that the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> was directed to establish under the Unleashing"},{"title":"Changes to the Representation of Others Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office","type":"Rule","abstract":"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) amends the rules of practice in patent cases and the rules regarding the representation of others before the USPTO to better protect the public and improve compliance with USPTO requirements. This final rule formalizes the USPTO's Diversion Pilot Program for patent and trademark practitioners whose physical or mental health issues or law practice management issues resulted in minor misconduct. Formalizing the Pilot Program aligns USPTO disciplinary practice with a majority of states and provides practitioners an opportunity to address the root causes of such misconduct. In addition, this final rule requires foreign attorneys or agents granted reciprocal recognition to practice before the USPTO in trademark matters to provide and update their contact and licensure status information or have their recognition withdrawn so the public will have access to up-to-date information. This final rule also defers to a state's attorney licensing authority regarding alternative business structures between a practitioner and a non-practitioner to reduce the potential for conflicts between the USPTO and the attorney licensing authority. Further, this final rule removes a fee required when changing one's status from a patent agent to a patent attorney and makes minor adjustments to other provisions related to the representation of others before the USPTO.","document_number":"2023-14606","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/14/2023-14606/changes-to-the-representation-of-others-before-the-united-states-patent-and-trademark-office","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-07-14/pdf/2023-14606.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-14606.pdf?1689252315","publication_date":"2023-07-14","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"SUMMARY: \n The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (<span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> or Office) amends the rules of practice in patent cases and the rules regarding the representation of others before the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> to better protect the public and improve compliance with <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> requirements. This final rule formalizes the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> Diversion Pilot Program for patent and trademark practitioners whose physical or mental health issues or law practice management issues resulted in minor misconduct. Formalizing the Pilot Program aligns <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> disciplinary practice with a majority of states"},{"title":"Request for Comments Regarding Artificial Intelligence and Inventorship","type":"Notice","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) plays an important role in incentivizing and protecting innovation, including innovation enabled by artificial intelligence (AI), to ensure continued U.S. leadership in AI and other emerging technologies (ET). In June 2022, the USPTO announced the formation of the AI/ET Partnership, which provides an opportunity to bring stakeholders together through a series of engagements to share ideas, feedback, experiences, and insights on the intersection of intellectual property and AI/ET. To build on the AI/ET Partnership efforts, the USPTO is seeking stakeholder input on the current state of AI technologies and inventorship issues that may arise in view of the advancement of such technologies, especially as AI plays a greater role in the innovation process. As outlined in sections II to IV below, the USPTO is pursuing three main avenues of engagement with stakeholders to inform its future efforts on inventorship and promoting AI-enabled innovation: a series of stakeholder engagement sessions; collaboration with academia through scholarly research; and a request for written comments to the questions identified in section IV. The USPTO encourages stakeholder engagement through one or more of these avenues.","document_number":"2023-03066","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/02/14/2023-03066/request-for-comments-regarding-artificial-intelligence-and-inventorship","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-02-14/pdf/2023-03066.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-03066.pdf?1676295923","publication_date":"2023-02-14","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"ickoff-<span class=\"match\">uspto</span>-aiet-activities-and-patent-policy. \n \n \n While the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> was exploring the contours of inventorship law with respect to AI generated inventions, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> received applications asserting that an AI machine was the inventor. On April 22, 2020, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> issued a pair of decisions denying petitions to name Device for Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience (DABUS), an AI system, as the inventor. The <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> decision explained that under current U.S. patent laws, inventorship is limited to a natural person(s). The <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> decision"},{"title":"Request for Comments on Southeast Regional Office and Community Outreach Office Locations","type":"Notice","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is seeking information to inform the planning and design of the USPTO satellite offices (regional offices) and newly-authorized community outreach offices (COOs). The USPTO is also seeking information on potential locations for a future USPTO regional office in the southeast region of the United States (Southeast Regional Office or SERO) and a COO in the northern New England (NNE) region (Northern New England Community Outreach Office) that the USPTO was directed to establish under the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022 (UAIA), signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 on December 29, 2022.","document_number":"2023-11987","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/06/06/2023-11987/request-for-comments-on-southeast-regional-office-and-community-outreach-office-locations","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-06-06/pdf/2023-11987.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-11987.pdf?1685969132","publication_date":"2023-06-06","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"United States Patent and Trademark Office (<span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> or Office) is seeking information to inform the planning and design of the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> satellite offices (regional offices) and newly-authorized community outreach offices (COOs). The <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> is also seeking information on potential locations for a future <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> regional office in the southeast region of the United States (Southeast Regional Office or SERO) and a COO in the northern New England (NNE) region (Northern New England Community Outreach Office) that the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> was directed to establish under the Unleashing"},{"title":"Study of the Patent Pro Bono Programs; Notice of Public Listening Sessions and Request for Comments","type":"Notice","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) seeks public comments on areas related to the study of the patent pro bono programs identified in the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022. This study builds upon the work the USPTO has conducted for over a decade and has scaled during the Biden Administration, to bring more people in America into the innovation ecosystem to create more jobs, foster economic prosperity, and solve world problems. The USPTO is announcing two public listening sessions on June 5 and 7, 2023, titled \"Inventor Listening Session for Patent Pro Bono Programs\" and \"Patent Practitioner Listening Session for Patent Pro Bono Program,\" respectively, to provide further opportunity for the public to provide input on these subject areas.","document_number":"2023-07699","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/12/2023-07699/study-of-the-patent-pro-bono-programs-notice-of-public-listening-sessions-and-request-for-comments","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-04-12/pdf/2023-07699.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-07699.pdf?1681217132","publication_date":"2023-04-12","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"United States Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"\n \n \n SUMMARY: \n The United States Patent and Trademark Office (<span class=\"match\">USPTO</span>) seeks public comments on areas related to the study of the patent pro bono programs identified in the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022. This study builds upon the work the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> has conducted for over a decade and has scaled during the Biden Administration, to bring <span class=\"match\">more</span> people in America into the innovation ecosystem to create <span class=\"match\">more</span> jobs, foster economic prosperity, and solve world problems. The <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> is announcing two public listening sessions on June 5 and 7, 2023"},{"title":"Establishing Permanent Electronic Filing for Patent Term Extension Applications","type":"Rule","abstract":"To further advance the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO or Office) information technology strategy of achieving complete beginning-to-end electronic processing of patent-related submissions, the USPTO is revising the Rules of Practice in Patent Cases 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 (Patent Center or EFS-Web). The rule changes reduce the administrative burden on PTE applicants and improve administrative efficiency by facilitating electronic file management, optimizing workflow processes, and reducing processing errors.","document_number":"2023-04162","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/02/2023-04162/establishing-permanent-electronic-filing-for-patent-term-extension-applications","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-03-02/pdf/2023-04162.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-04162.pdf?1677678317","publication_date":"2023-03-02","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"requesting that all <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> communications issued with respect to a PTE application be included in the <span class=\"match\">USPTO's</span> e-Office Action program. \n See www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/checking-application-status/e-office-action-program. \n The electronic notification system currently used by the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> for its e-Office Action program cannot accommodate communications issued with respect to a PTE application. If that changes, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> will revisit the matter. In the interim, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> will endeavor to notify the PTE applicant of any outgoing <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> PTE correspondence"},{"title":"Changes to the Representation of Others in Design Patent Matters Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office","type":"Proposed Rule","abstract":"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) proposes to amend the rules of practice in patent cases and the rules regarding the representation of others before the USPTO to create a separate design patent practitioner bar whereby admitted design patent practitioners would practice in design patent proceedings only. Presently, there is only one patent bar that applies to those who practice in patent matters before the Office, including in utility, plant, and design patents. The potential creation of a design patent practitioner bar would not impact the ability of those already registered to practice in any patent matters, including design patent matters, before the USPTO to continue to practice in any patent matters before the Office. Furthermore, it would not impact the ability of applicants for registration who meet the current criteria, including qualifying for and passing the current registration exam, to practice in any patent matters before the Office, including design patent matters. Expanding the admission criteria of the patent bar would encourage broader participation and keep up with the ever-evolving technology and related teachings that qualify someone to practice before the USPTO.","document_number":"2023-10410","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/16/2023-10410/changes-to-the-representation-of-others-in-design-patent-matters-before-the-united-states-patent-and","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-05-16/pdf/2023-10410.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-10410.pdf?1684154725","publication_date":"2023-05-16","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"practice design patent law and aid <span class=\"match\">more</span> under-represented inventors in acquiring patents; (4) <span class=\"match\">enable</span> individuals with valuable knowledge of design to aid design patent prosecution; (5) lower the costs of obtaining design patents by promoting competition among practitioners; (6) ensure consistent, high-quality patents via qualified practitioners; (7) enlarge the pool of available service providers, including those practitioners whose background may be <span class=\"match\">more</span> tailored to the needs of a patent applicant; and (8) <span class=\"match\">increase</span> economic opportunities for design"},{"title":"Request for Comments on USPTO Initiatives To Ensure the Robustness and Reliability of Patent Rights","type":"Notice","abstract":"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) seeks initial public comments on proposed initiatives directed at bolstering the robustness and reliability of patents to incentivize and protect new and nonobvious inventions while facilitating the broader dissemination of public knowledge to promote innovation and competition. This request for comments (RFC) addresses a variety of topics, including prior art searching, support for claimed subject matter, request for continued examination (RCE) practice, and restriction practice, and certain initiatives related to these topics that are outlined in the USPTO's July 6, 2022, letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This RFC also seeks comments on the questions set forth in a June 8, 2022, letter to the USPTO from six United States Senators. The USPTO is studying additional topics and initiatives to bolster the robustness and reliability of U.S. patents and will seek public comments on those separately.","document_number":"2022-21481","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/04/2022-21481/request-for-comments-on-uspto-initiatives-to-ensure-the-robustness-and-reliability-of-patent-rights","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-10-04/pdf/2022-21481.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-21481.pdf?1664801129","publication_date":"2022-10-04","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"Patent and Trademark Office","name":"Patent and Trademark Office","id":402,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/patent-and-trademark-office","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/402","parent_id":54,"slug":"patent-and-trademark-office"}],"excerpts":"FDA sent a letter to the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> outlining ideas for further engagement with the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span>. On July 6, 2022, the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> sent a responsive letter (<span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> Letter) discussing specific initiatives the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> was exploring to further promote robust and reliable patent rights across all technology areas and suggesting additional ways in which the <span class=\"match\">USPTO</span> could work with the FDA to ensure that our patent system properly and adequately protects innovation while not unnecessarily delaying generic and biosimilar competition, which provides <span class=\"match\">more</span> affordable versions of"},{"title":"Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR)","type":"Rule","abstract":"The Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is publishing a final rule comprehensively revising its Acquisition Regulation in order to update and streamline the policies, procedures, provisions and clauses that are applicable to the Department's contracts. This rulemaking updates or eliminates coverage that is obsolete or that unnecessarily duplicates the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and retains only that coverage which either implements or supplements the FAR for the award and administration of the DOE's contracts. The rule adds several new clauses and amends several existing clauses in order to promote more uniform application of the DOE's contract award and administration policies.","document_number":"2024-23817","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/13/2024-23817/department-of-energy-acquisition-regulation-dear","pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-11-13/pdf/2024-23817.pdf","public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-23817.pdf?1731419115","publication_date":"2024-11-13","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY","name":"Energy Department","id":136,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/energy-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/136","parent_id":null,"slug":"energy-department"}],"excerpts":"sections of the policy, sometimes without replacement, sometimes replacing the deleted or revised language with much <span class=\"match\">more</span> concise language; (2) reorganized the policy; and (3) added a detailed example. Often when replacing deleted or revised language with <span class=\"match\">more</span> concise language, different aspects of the topic addressed by the deleted or revised language appear <span class=\"match\">more</span> cogently stated in several sections of the policy (sometimes <span class=\"match\">more</span> than once in several sections). \n In its amending of its guidance, DOE retained the current fee policy for M&amp;O contracts"}]}