PTO
Federal agency responsible for regulations under PTO.
11 regulationsRequired Use by Foreign Applicants and Patent Owners of a Patent Practitioner
The U.S. Patent Office is proposing a new rule that would require foreign companies and individuals applying for patents to hire a U.S.-based patent lawyer or agent to represent them. This rule aims to ensure that the Patent Office can properly communicate with patent applicants and enforce U.S. patent laws.
Revision to Rules of Practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
The Patent and Trademark Office is proposing changes to the rules for how patent disputes are handled at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, which is the government office that reviews patent disagreements. These changes could affect how quickly and fairly patent cases are resolved for inventors, companies, and anyone involved in patent disputes.
Rules of Practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board is proposing new rules for how people and companies can challenge patents through legal proceedings at the U.S. Patent Office. These changes affect inventors, businesses, and anyone involved in patent disputes by potentially making the process faster, clearer, or more accessible.
Patent Trial and Appeal Board Rules of Practice for Briefing Discretionary Denial Issues, and Rules for 325(d) Considerations, Instituting Parallel and Serial Petitions, and Termination Due to Settlement Agreement; Withdrawal
The U.S. Patent Office is proposing new rules for how it handles patent disputes and challenges. These rules would change procedures for deciding which patent cases to take on, how to handle multiple related cases, and what happens when disputed parties reach settlements.
International Trademark Classification Changes
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is updating how trademarks are classified internationally to match new global standards. This change makes it easier for businesses to register and protect their brand names, logos, and symbols across different countries.
Eliminating Expedited Examination of Design Applications
The Patent and Trademark Office is eliminating a fast-track option that allowed inventors to get their design patents reviewed quickly. This change means people seeking design patents—like for new product shapes or appearances—will now go through the standard review process, which typically takes longer.
2025 Increase of the Annual Limit on Accepted Requests for Prioritized Examination
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is allowing more inventors and companies to request faster processing of their patent applications in 2025. This change means more people can get their inventions reviewed quickly, though there may be higher demand for this expedited service.
Discontinuation of the Accelerated Examination Program for Utility Applications
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is ending its Accelerated Examination Program, which allowed companies to get their utility patent applications reviewed faster than normal. This means inventors and businesses seeking patents on new inventions will no longer have the option to pay extra fees to speed up the examination process.
Partial Replacement of an Earlier National Registration or Registrations by an International Registration
This regulation clarifies how companies can use international trademark registrations to replace or partially replace their earlier U.S. trademark registrations. It affects businesses that want to streamline their trademark protection by consolidating multiple registrations into a single international registration.
Setting and Adjusting Trademark Fees During Fiscal Year 2025; Correction
The Patent and Trademark Office is adjusting the fees that businesses pay to register and maintain trademarks for the 2025 fiscal year. This correction updates pricing for trademark applications and services, which affects companies and individuals who want to protect their brand names and logos.
Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2025; Correction
The Patent and Trademark Office is adjusting the fees that inventors and businesses must pay to file and maintain patents in 2025. This correction updates the fee schedule to ensure the office has adequate funding to process patent applications and protect intellectual property rights.