Numerous Comments Received in Response to Rule Making Effort

With the window for submitting comments on the USPTO post  grant rule sets now closed, the agency has published the complete public comment set.

With respect to the post grant rule sets, a total of 251 comments were received. Data from the USPTO America Invents Act (AIA) micosite break down the submissions as follows:

AIA Provision Comment Period
End
Comments Received
Inter Partes Review April 10, 2012 49
Post-grant Review April 10, 2012 48
Derivation April 10, 2012 19
Covered Business Method Review April 10, 2012 19
Technological Invention Definition April 10, 2012 28
Umbrella Rules April 9, 2012 66
Trial Practice Guide April 9, 2012
Total 251

chart-board-comments

Not surprisingly, the vast majority of comments appear directed to:

1. Page Limits (and here)
2. Fee Structure
3. Patentee Estoppel
4. Supplemental Information

Final Rules are expected to issue in the August time frame (setting an internal deadline of August 16, 2012). The Office has also publicly stated that comments may be solicited in the Fall on possible further refinements.