The Patent Organization – What’s Ahead
The USPTO must address the challenges of
rising workloads, the shift of applications from traditional arts to more
complex technologies, and changes in the timing of some of the milestones
of the Strategic Plan which will delay the efficiency gains outlined
in the Plan.
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A class of newly hired patent examiners receives training on the role and responsibilities of being a patent examiner. |
In FY 2006, we will continue to emphasize the importance of quality
and timely examination by continuing and building on programs currently
in place. We will also focus on the hiring, training, and retention of
our employees. In January 2006, the Patent organization will pilot an
eight-month, university-style training program for new patent examiners.
The program will provide participants with a more structured initial training
so that they will have a better understanding of the examination process
and be better equipped to effectively contribute after assignment to a
technology center. The existing Patent Examining Initial Training program
will run concurrently until the new university concept is reviewed and
fully implemented.
In recognition of the vital importance of technical support in building
an efficient examining organization, we will design a certification program
for the technical support staff in FY 2006. To ensure that patent examiner
candidates possess the needed competencies to succeed, and to improve
the efficiency of the hiring process, the Patent organization will develop,
with an on-line pre-employment screening tool. Reviews of work products
throughout prosecution to ensure compliance with examination practice
and procedures standards will continue, and feedback from these reviews
will drive our training programs. In combination, these initiatives will
improve patent quality.
During FY 2005 the Patent organization initiated a program to ensure
that applications filed under existing provisions to request expedited
examination for certain subject matter areas or under certain circumstances
are acted on timely. During FY 2006 the Patent organization will review
the existing program and consider revising the accelerated examination
provision to provide guaranteed final examiner disposition within 12 months
if applicants share a greater burden in assisting the examiner. Any subject
matter would be eligible for this provision of expedited examination.
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Chief Administrative Patent Judge Michael Fleming and other BPAI officials demonstrate the video features of the new electronic hearing room. |
Both the Patent and Trademark operations are rapidly moving to eliminate
paper documents from their processes. As the reliance on paper disappears
from internal processes, the costs for handling applications and related
materials will be substantially reduced. The deployment of a web-based
electronic filing system accommodating PDF attachments, in conjunction
with a marketing program to inform patent applicants of the availability
and benefits of the system, will encourage more applicants to file electronically.
The Patent organization is also looking at proposed rule changes that
are directed to supplementing improvements in effective examination quality.
There are pendency reduction benefits with some of these changes although
the main focus is on quality. These proposed changes, if implemented,
are anticipated to become effective no earlier than FY 2007.
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