Group 2 Rules to be Published in January

The Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) convened yesterday at the USPTO for their quarterly meeting. During the meeting, the USPTO presented an update on office operations and AIA implementation status. The update on the Group 2 rule making is found in the presentation materials of Janet Gongola, Patent Reform Coordinator (here)

Below is the current estimated timeline for publishing the proposed rules for Post Grant Review, Inter Partes Review, and Supplemental Examination, among other proceedings. Interestingly, it appears as though there will be public round table meetings on the NPRM, which is scheduled to be published in mid-late January. (Click to Enlarge)

timeline