The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office continues to propose new initiatives to make its operations more efficient. These new initiatives include new rule changes and procedures that will help streamline the application processes for both patents and trademarks. Proposed rules are documented in Federal Register Notices.
Federal Register Notices
The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents. Current and previous USPTO Federal Register Notices for both patents and trademarks are available on this site.
Public Review and Comments
Find, review, and submit comments online for all proposed Federal regulations at Regulations.gov.
The public is welcome to review and provide comments to the USPTO regarding these rule changes. All USPTO public comments are available on this site.
Recent Notices
Transcripts
- Commercial Security on the National Information Infrastructure
- Implement 18-Month Publication of Patent Applications
- Expanded Reexamination of Patents
Regulatory Review Plan - Executive Order 13563
On January 18, 2011, President Obama issued Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review. The USPTO, in its capacity as an agency within the Department of Commerce (DOC), has developed a preliminary plan for the review of its existing significant regulations, which is part of DOC's more general preliminary plan that was prepared in accordance with Executive Order 13563.