Tomorrow, the USPTO will conclude publication of all final rules and practice guides implementing the provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act which become effective on September 16, 2012. The final rule package (which also includes Final Rules published on August 6, 2012 and July 31, 20102) consist of:
- Changes to Implement the Inventor’s Oath or Declaration Provisions
- Changes to Implement the Supplemental Examination Provisions
- Changes to Implement Inter Partes Review Proceedings, Post-Grant Review Proceedings, and Transitional Program for Covered Business Method Patents
- Changes to Implement Citation of Prior Art and Written Statements Provisions
- Changes to Implement Statute of Limitations Provisions for Office Disciplinary Proceeding
- Rules of Practice for Trials before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and Judicial Review of Patent Trial and Appeal Board Decisions
- Transitional Program for Covered Business Method Patents – Definitions of Covered Business Method Patent and Technological Invention
In addition, the USPTO will also publish tomorrow its Office Patent Trial Practice Guide covering new procedures for inter partes review, post grant review and business method patent review proceedings commencing after September 12, 2102 as well as derivation proceedings commencing after March 16, 2013.
