Inventors: Learn to think like an examiner

Event summary

September 9, 2019 - September 11, 2019

8:00 a.m. ET - 5:00 p.m. ET

Add to Calendar2019-09-09 08:00:002019-09-09 08:00:00Inventors: Learn to think like an examiner If you are an inventor, it helps to think like an examiner. Get a better understanding of how examiners makes decisions at the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) inventor three day course. Space is limited, so register early for this free course. In-person courses are led by USPTO trainers and based on material developed for training USPTO employees. Training focuses on how our examiners review patent applications according to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). Similar to entry level examiners, each trainee will use a sample application that will be the focus of exercises. The training is broken into the following modules: Day one begins with a discussion of the patent application process and the role the Office of Innovation Development (OID) plays in helping independent inventors throughout patent prosecution. The end of day one incorporates exercises to refresh the knowledge attendees gained from computer based training (CBT) modules completed prior to training. Day two focuses on the role of a patent examiner, the steps an examiner takes when reading an application for the first time, and how an examiner is taught to map prior art to claims. Day three starts with a discussion of examiner office actions and applicant’s response with respect to the sample application. The second half of day three begins with a workshop on USPTO restriction practice and concludes with a discussion of additional resources available to inventors Registration is open from May 19 to June 9, 2019. Learn more about STEPP. For a detailed schedule, please view the Inventor 3-day course schedule. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request via phone 571-272-8292 or email Heather.Jones1@USPTO.gov or Tamika.Anderson@USPTO.gov. America/New_Yorkpublic

If you are an inventor, it helps to think like an examiner. Get a better understanding of how examiners makes decisions at the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) inventor three day course. Space is limited, so register early for this free course.

In-person courses are led by USPTO trainers and based on material developed for training USPTO employees. Training focuses on how our examiners review patent applications according to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). Similar to entry level examiners, each trainee will use a sample application that will be the focus of exercises. The training is broken into the following modules:

Day one begins with a discussion of the patent application process and the role the Office of Innovation Development (OID) plays in helping independent inventors throughout patent prosecution. The end of day one incorporates exercises to refresh the knowledge attendees gained from computer based training (CBT) modules completed prior to training.
Day two focuses on the role of a patent examiner, the steps an examiner takes when reading an application for the first time, and how an examiner is taught to map prior art to claims.
Day three starts with a discussion of examiner office actions and applicant’s response with respect to the sample application. The second half of day three begins with a workshop on USPTO restriction practice and concludes with a discussion of additional resources available to inventors

Registration is open from May 19 to June 9, 2019.

Learn more about STEPP.

For a detailed schedule, please view the Inventor 3-day course schedule.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request via phone 571-272-8292 or email Heather.Jones1@USPTO.gov or Tamika.Anderson@USPTO.gov.