Comment Period Soon to Expire on PTO Proposed Rule Changes That Would Impose New Burdens on Patent Applicants

On May 3, 2006, the comment period will end on proposed Patent Office rule changes on the examination of applications. The proposed rules seek to cut down the backlog of pending applications at the PTO by imposing significant limits on the examination of new and continuation applications. The proposed rules would limit intial examination of an application to "representative claims" rather than all claims. The rules would also limit continuation applications by requiring that second or subsequent continued examination filings be "supported by a showing as to why the amendment, argument, or evidence presented could not have been previously submitted."

More information about the proposed rule changes can be found on the PTO's web site at the following link: Proposed Rule Changes to Focus the Patent Process in the 21st Century.