The USPTO has established procedures under which the examination of a patent application may be accelerated. Under one of these procedures, the USPTO will advance an application out of turn for examination if the applicant files a grantable petition to make special under the accelerated examination program. The USPTO is similarly revising the procedures for other petitions to make special, except those based on applicant's health or age or the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program. Other petitions to make special (i.e., based on: manufacture, infringement, environmental quality, energy, recombinant DNA, superconductivity materials, HIV/AIDS and cancer, countering terrorism, and biotechnology applications filed by small entities MPEP § 708.02) will be processed using the revised procedure for accelerated examination. Thus, petitions to make special, except those based on applicant's health, age, or the PPH, will be required to comply with the requirements for petitions to make special under the accelerated examination program as set forth in this notice.
The effective date for this change in practice is: 25 August 2006.
For more information on international worksharing programs and proposals, see the worksharing Web page: http://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/patent-policy/patent-worksharing
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions [PDF] [updated March 28, 2018]
Guidelines
- Guidelines for Applicants under the Accelerated Examination Procedure [PDF] [updated August 16, 2016]
- Basic Search Strategy [PPT]
- PCT Minimum Documentation
Samples
Tips to Consider When Drafting an AE Submission
Federal Register Notices
- Changes in Accelerated Examination Practice (81 Fed. Reg. 54564 - August 16, 2016) [PDF]
- Changes to Practice for Petitions in Patent Applications To Make Special and for Accelerated Examination
(71 Fed. Reg. 36323 - 26Jun2006) [PDF]
File On-Line via Patent Center
- Patent Center - for filing, follow-on processing, managing applications, checking the status on and viewing associated documents for patent applications and more
- Form SB/28 (Petition to Make Special Under Accelerated Examination Program Form) [PDF]
- Form SB/28 with sample information [PDF]
Contacts