USPTO seeks public input through a Request for Comments on Director review, Precedential Opinion Panel review, and internal circulation and review of Patent Trial and Appeal Board decisions

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USPTO seeks public input through a Request for Comments on Director review, Precedential Opinion Panel review, and internal circulation and review of Patent Trial and Appeal Board decisions

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today released a Request for Comments (RFC) seeking public input on Director review, Precedential Opinion Panel (POP) review, and internal circulation and review of Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) decisions. The RFC is available in the reading room of the Federal Register. 

The USPTO has implemented a number of interim processes that promote the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of PTAB decision-making in Leahy-Smith America Invents Act of 2011 (AIA) proceedings. The USPTO plans to formalize those processes through notice and comment rulemaking.

To inform such rulemaking, and to inform any modifications to the interim processes pending formalization, the USPTO seeks public comment. Specifically, the USPTO seeks input on:

• The current interim Director review process that allows a party to request Director review of a PTAB final written decision in inter partes review (IPR) or post-grant review (PGR) proceedings, and also provides the Director the option to sua sponte initiate review of any PTAB decisions, including institution decisions and decisions on rehearing
• The POP process
• The current interim process for PTAB decision circulation and internal PTAB review

The USPTO will hold a Boardside Chat to discuss Director review, POP review, and internal circulation and review of PTAB decisions on Thursday, August 11, from noon to 1 p.m. ET. 

Comments will be accepted through September 18. Submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.    

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