Publication
U.S. Patent Office Implements COVID-19 Pilot Program for Prioritized Examination
By Jeffrey D. Morton
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has introduced a pilot program to provide prioritized patent examination for patent applications that cover a product or process related to COVID-19. The product or process must be subject to an applicable U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for COVID-19 use.
Under the pilot program, the USPTO will grant qualified requests for prioritized examination without payment of the fees normally required for prioritized examination when an application is a small or micro entity. Importantly, the pilot program will initially be limited to 500 requests. The USPTO has indicated that the goal of prioritized examination is to provide a final disposition (i.e., allowance or refusal) within 12 months from the date the prioritized status was granted.
Specific details on the eligibility for the COVID-19 pilot program are outlined here.
Snell & Wilmer has been actively assisting clients from around the world with COVID-19-related patent matters. For further information, please contact Jeffrey D. Morton.
About Snell & Wilmer
Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 16 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, California; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit swlaw.com.
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