On March 2, 2026, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) John A. Squires issued updated guidance to reinforce public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the patent examination process. The memorandum, issued to all patent employees, provides guidance regarding the examination of patent applications and stock ownership.
See the Guidance on Examination of Patent Applications and Stock Ownership memorandum.