Improvements Speed Patent Reexamination Process
At last week’s AIPLA Spring Meeting, the Director of the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU), Ms. Remy Yucel provided an update on the continued efforts of the USPTO to refine the patent reexamination process. The Director reported that the time to printing of a reexamination certificate has improved, and that the Office is continuing to consider the stream line proposals published in the Spring of 2011 (at least as they relate to ex parte patent reexaminations). (presentation here)
Pursuant to the America Invents Act, all contested proceedings will now be the sole jurisdiction of the new Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB). Thus, the CRU, will finish up its work on legacy inter partes reexaminations going forward, but will see no new requests for such after September 14th. After September 16th, the CRU will process requests for Supplemental Examination (SE). However, it remains to be seen whether or not SE will be embraced by stakeholders.