USPTO Seeks Chief Administrative Patent JudgeAs discussed here daily, many important patents will, at one time or another, be the subject of a patent reexamination or patent reissue proceeding. In such post grant proceedings, the Board of Patent Appeals & Interferences (BPAI) plays a prominent role in reviewing the decisions of the Examining Corps….eventually.Progress toward the reduction of reexamination appeal pendency has been slow. Of course, post grant proceedings are not the only responsibility of the BPAI. Indeed, the Board continues to languish under the weight of the ex parte appeal backlog, primarily patent application appeals. Roughly 17,000 ex parte appeals are currently pending at the BPAI. (along with interferences and inter partes reexamination appeals).Former Chief Judge Fleming championed the reform of the appeal process by advocating a rule package designed, arguably anyway, to allow for more focused review. (proposed appeal practice rules). Yet, the proposed changes to appeal practice, like the more infamous rules package of Tafas v. Dudas fame, were not greeted with much enthusiasm by stakeholders.Once again, the winds of change have seemingly swept over USPTO management as the Office is currently in the market for a new, Chief APJ. (apply here)  The next chief will have quite a mandate, especially should patent reform ever become reality (i.e., transformation to Patent Trail & Appeal Boar

As discussed here daily, many important patents will, at one time or another, be the subject of a patent reexamination or patent reissue proceeding. In such post grant proceedings, the Board of Patent Appeals & Interferences (BPAI) plays a prominent role in reviewing the decisions of the Examining Corps….eventually.

Progress toward the reduction of reexamination appeal pendency has been slow. Of course, post grant proceedings are not the only responsibility of the BPAI. Indeed, the Board continues to languish under the weight of the ex parte appeal backlog, primarily patent application appeals. Roughly 17,000 ex parte appeals are currently pending at the BPAI. (along with interferences and inter partes reexamination appeals).

Former Chief Judge Fleming  championed the reform of the appeal process by advocating a rule package designed, arguably anyway, to allow for more focused review. (proposed appeal practice rules). Yet, the proposed changes to appeal practice, like the more infamous rules package of Tafas v. Dudas fame, were not greeted with much enthusiasm by stakeholders.

Once again, the winds of change have seemingly swept over USPTO management as the Office is currently in the market for a new, Chief APJ. (apply here)  The next chief will have quite a mandate, especially should patent reform ever become reality (i.e., transformation to Patent Trail & Appeal Board).