Global IP Information

2025-04-25

Get answers to common questions about the interim processes for PTAB workload management

USPTO

On March 26, 2025, the USPTO issued a memorandum on interim processes for PTAB workload management. The memorandum explained that the decision to institute inter partes reviews and post-grant reviews will be bifurcated between (i) discretionary considerations and (ii) merits and other non-discretionary considerations.

2025-04-17

USPTO formally terminates Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program

USPTO

The USPTO has formally terminated the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program. The program was suspended on January 28, 2025. Any petition to participate in the program, including a renewed climate petition, filed after 5 p.m. ET on January 28 will not be granted.

2025-04-17

EPO President comments on referral G 2/24 concerning intervention

EPO

15 April, the President of the EPO submitted written observations to the Enlarged Board of Appeal relating to G 2/24, “Skin cleanser”. The referral concerns the question whether, after withdrawal of all appeals, the proceedings may be continued with a third party who intervened during the appeal proceedings.

2025-04-15

USPTO modernization efforts successfully expedite patent issuance

USPTO

Effective May 13, 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will be accelerating the Issue Dates for patents. Previously, the time between Issue Notification and Issue Date averaged around three weeks. The USPTO is reducing that time to approximately two weeks, allowing patent holders to bring their investments to the market earlier. Publishing electronic grants (eGrants) via our online platform, Patent Center, and eliminating redundancies in the process has reduced the time between grant notification and the issuance date.

2025-04-15

New paper types available for patent owners and petitioners in Patent Trial and Appeal Case Tracking System

USPTO

Under the new Interim Processes for Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Workload Management announced on March 26, 2025, the parties to an America Invents Act (AIA) trial proceeding may file separate briefings on discretionary considerations relevant to institution. Specifically, a patent owner may file a discretionary denial brief, and a petitioner may file an opposition to that brief. To help the USPTO efficiently address such filings, the PTAB introduces two new paper types in the Patent Trial and Appeal Case Tracking System (P-TACTS):

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