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Friday Sep 14, 2012

Announcing the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)

Guest Blog by Chief Judge James D. Smith, Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences

September 16, 2012 marks a momentous occasion for the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.  On that day, we become the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).  In keeping with that change, the Board will open for business to accept petitions for some of the new America Invents Act (AIA) post grant proceedings using the Patent Review Processing System (PRPS), our new, web-based e-filing tool.  We are extremely excited to take part in this historic transition.

To commemorate the transition to the new Patent Trial and Appeal Board and as a demonstration of our desire to serve, the Board will be staffed during the entire 24-hour period of that first day.  From early Sunday morning at 12:01 a.m., until late Sunday evening at 12:00 p.m., Board personnel will be available to assist the public with filing new cases.  After opening day, Board personnel will be available during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Questions may be submitted by phoning 571-272-PTAB (7822) or by emailing Trials@uspto.gov.  Feedback on the PRPS system is also welcome, and we have established a separate email box for receiving such feedback at PRPS-Suggestions@uspto.gov.
 
As Chief of the Board, I am extremely happy of the many accomplishments made by the Board team toward meeting our AIA responsibilities.  Many team members have worked tirelessly, preparing for the big day – September 16th, 2012.  I would like to thank all those people involved, both internally and externally, for making September 16th a reality.

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