AIA Blog

USPTO Publishes Final Rules for the Inventor’s Oath/Declaration, Supplemental Examination, and Administrative Trial Final Rules in the Federal Register

From Janet Gongola, Patent Reform Coordinator:

On August 14, 2012, the USPTO published final rules in the Federal Register implementing the inventor’s oath or declaration, supplemental examination, inter partes review, post grant review, and covered business method review provisions.  These final rules as seen in the Federal Register are available here:

• Inventor’s Oath or Declaration Final Rules (77 Fed. Reg. 48776, August, 14, 2012)
• Supplemental Examination Final Rules (77 Fed. Reg. 48828, August 14, 2012)
• Supplemental Examination Fee Methodology for Final Rule
• General Administrative Trial Final Rules (77 Fed. Reg. 48612, August 14, 2012)
• Inter Partes, Post Grant, and Covered Business Method Review Final Rules (77 Fed. Reg. 48680, August 14, 2012)
• Covered Business Method and Technological Invention Definitions Final Rules (77 Fed. Reg. 48734, August 14, 2012)
• Trial Practice Guide (77 Fed. Reg. 48756, August 14, 2012)

Publication of final rules for the inventor’s oath or declaration, supplemental examination, and administrative trials concludes the agency’s rulemaking for AIA provisions effective on September 16, 2012, the one-year anniversary of the AIA.  The agency previously published final rules for preissuance submissions and citation of patent owner statements in July and August 2012.  Thus, in total, the agency has released final rules for 7 provisions going into effect on September 16, 2012. 

The USPTO will host roadshows in Atlanta, Alexandria, Va., Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and New York City to discuss these final rules in September 2012.  More information about the roadshows, including venue locations and an agenda, can be found here:

Roadshow Page

Posted at 04:02PM Aug 14, 2012 in Rulemaking  |