While rooted in constitutional foundations, U.S. patent policy and practices continue to evolve to keep pace with innovation. Some current initiatives are highlighted below.
Attributable patent ownership
In June 2013, the White House issued a series of executive actions concerning high-tech patent issues. Among these was an effort to improve transparency in patent ownership. In 2014 the USPTO formulated a proposed rule that would require patent applicants and owners to regularly update ownership information. The USPTO solicited comment on this rule via a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and a series of public roundtables held in March 2014.
Public comments on "Patent Small Claims Proceedings in the United States"
In December 2012 and March 2013, the USPTO published two Federal Register Notices seeking public comment as to whether the United States should develop a small claims proceeding for patent enforcement. View the twenty-two comments that were received.