Global IP Information

2026-03-05

AI-assisted minute-taking extended to Unitary Patent oral proceedings

EPO

Following the positive results of the 2025 pilot, the European Patent Office (EPO) is extending AI-assisted minute-taking to oral proceedings before the Unitary Patent Protection Division. The approach is already used in oral proceedings in examination, opposition, before the Receiving Section and the Legal Division.

2026-03-05

USPTO convenes Appeals Review Panel

USPTO

Today, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John A. Squires entered an Order convening an Appeals Review Panel (ARP) consisting of himself, the Acting Commissioner for Patents, and the Chief Administrative Patent Judge. The ARP will reconsider the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s decision reversing an examiner’s rejection of claims for obviousness-type double patenting (OTDP). The Order also permits the appellant and any amicus curiae to submit a brief related to the OTDP issues on appeal no later than March 27, 2026.

2026-03-02

USPTO issues updated guidance regarding patent examiner applications and stock ownership

USPTO

On March 2, 2026, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) John A. Squires issued updated guidance to reinforce public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the patent examination process. The memorandum, issued to all Patents employees, provides guidance regarding the examination of patent applications and stock ownership.

2026-02-27

Official Journal February 2026

EPO

2026-02-27

USPTO and DOJ file statement of interest reaffirming the importance of incentives to innovate

USPTO

Today, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in Collision Communications, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The statement reaffirms the importance of preserving incentives to innovate, which are key to growth and dynamic competition in the U.S. economy and fundamental to the U.S. patent system.

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