October 04, 2012

Press Release, 12-64

USPTO Updates Registration Examination for New Patent Practitioners

Changes ensure greater efficiency in patent application process

WASHINGTON — As part of a wider effort aimed at stakeholders fully benefitting from the sweeping reforms of the America Invents Act (AIA), the U.S. Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced today that it has updated a critical examination for applicants seeking to practice in patent cases before the Office.

The updates ensure that newly registered patent attorneys and agents are fully qualified in the most current patent laws, rules and procedures, and final rule packages that took effect September 16, 2012—one year after President Obama signed the historic bipartisan AIA into law.

“By requiring practitioners to have a keen grasp on all of the latest changes to patent laws and processes, we are helping ensure that deserving new innovations get to the marketplace faster and more efficiently,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. “The updated exam announced today means more entrepreneurs can more quickly patent ideas, which will help boost the economy.”

A complete listing of source and reference materials for the 100-question registration examination is available at
http://www.uspto.gov/ip/boards/oed/exam/aia_regexamsourcematerial2012sep04.jsp.

The USPTO anticipates making another update to the examination when the first-inventor-to-file provisions of the AIA become effective in March 2013.

For non-press inquiries about the examination, contact Will Covey, Deputy General Counsel for Enrollment and Discipline and Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline, at (571) 272-4097. 

Stay current with the USPTO by subscribing to receive e-mail updates. Visit our Subscription Center at www.uspto.gov/subscribe.

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