If you are a USPTO-registered patent attorney or agent, it helps to think like a USPTO patent examiner. Get a better understanding of how examiners make decisions by attending the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) international agent-attorney four-day course, March 4-7. This program is open to registered agents and attorneys who live outside of the United States.
Those who want to attend must submit an interest form and meet certain criteria, including:
- Have an active USPTO registration number
- Hold a USPTO registration status showing residence outside of the United States
Space is limited. Interest forms are being accepted until February 25, or until full.
This virtual course will be led by USPTO trainers, and course materials are based on the same training that new USPTO examiners receive, and it focuses on how our examiners review patent applications according to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP).
Selected attendees are encouraged to complete pre-activity homework, which includes several computer-based training modules and reading of resource materials.
Days 2, 3, and 4 of the STEPP builds upon the previous day's lesson:
- Day one focuses on the role of an examiner and steps they take when reading an application for the first time.
- Day two uses the information gathered during day one to plan and conduct a search, emphasizing relevant legal statutes.
- Day three builds on day two in applying relevant statutes to the mapping of prior art to the sample claims.
- Day four finishes discussing the mapping of art to claims and focuses on writing an office action.
For a detailed agenda, please view the STEPP international agent/attorney 4-day course schedule.
Visit the STEPP webpage to learn more about the program, or for more information, email STEPP@uspto.gov.
Accessibility accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.