AIPLA Submits Comments
As discussed here in significant detail over the past few months, the USPTO is considering various proposals in an attempt to streamline patent reexamination. Back in April, the USPTO published a collection of working concepts and initiatives in the Federal Register for the purpose of streamlining patent reexamination. Based upon public commentary, the USPTO will now begin the process of considering to implement/modify the various proposals via a formal rule-making process, or through internal policy changes. (a copy of the Federal Register Notice is found here)
Comments submitted to date can be found posted (here). AIPLA comments were submitted last week, a copy of which is found (here). The AIPLA has joined in my suggestion to adopt the patent interference model for deciding petitions in inter partes patent reexamination.
Comments of the ABA IP Section are expected later this week.