Patent Law

Reducing patent application backlog a top priority

By Lawrence B. Ebert, Esq.

The article also wrote: Nick Godici, who ran the PTO from 2001 until 2005, argued the backlog is stifling innovation because companies allocate more money and resources to move applications through the system. Innovations cannot be finalized as swiftly as they had before, he said, adding that the PTO is "becoming sand in the gears of this progress."

One must distinguish between Director of the USPTO and Commissioner of Patents.

The article mentioned a Chamber of Commerce report:

Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will soon unveil its PTO recommendations. According to a draft report obtained by CongressDaily, the Chamber will urge the agency to overhaul the patent examiner production system; make administrative actions timelier; strengthen the PTO's relationship with the user community; enhance organizational management; and permit applicants to defer examination.

Full post as published by IPBiz on December 14, 2008 (boomark / email).