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(106) Extension of the Enhanced First Action Interview Pilot Program
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a notice
to implement the Enhanced First Action Interview Pilot Program. See
Enhanced First Action Interview Pilot Program, 1347 Off. Gaz. Pat. Office
173 (October 20, 2009). Under the program, participants are permitted to
conduct an interview with the examiner after reviewing a Pre-Interview
Communication providing the result of a prior art search conducted by the
examiner. Participants experienced many benefits including: (1) the ability
to advance prosecution of an application; (2) enhanced interaction between
applicant and the examiner; (3) the opportunity to resolve patentability
issues one-on-one with the examiner at the beginning of the prosecution
process; and (4) the opportunity to facilitate possible early allowance.
The USPTO indicated in the Enhanced First Action Interview Pilot Program
notice that the program would last for a period ending on April 1, 2010.
The USPTO is extending the Enhanced First Action Interview Pilot Program
for six months. Therefore, any request for a First Action Interview filed
before October 1, 2010, will be granted if all of the requirements set
forth in the Eligibility and Requirements sections of the Enhanced First
Action Interview Pilot Program notice are satisfied.
Any inquiries concerning a specific application should be directed to
the appropriate Technology Center. Any questions concerning this notice and
the pilot program may be directed to Joseph Weiss, Legal Advisor, Office of
Patent Legal Administration, by telephone at (571) 272-7759; or e-mailed to
first.action.interview@uspto.gov.
April 7, 2010 DAVID J. KAPPOS
Under Secretary of Commerce for
Intellectual Property and Director of the
United States Patent and Trademark Office
[1354 OG 51]
Top of Notices (106) December 27, 2011