The USPTO and other patent offices around the world are studying
the feasibility of the international harmonization of patent laws.
As part of this initiative, the USPTO is soliciting stakeholders
views on four key issues: (1) the grace period; (2) eighteen month
publication; (3) the treatment of conflicting patent applications;
and (4) prior user rights. As set forth in a recent Federal Register Notice, stakeholders can
provide their views by answering an on-line questionnaire and by
participating in a public hearing that will be held at the
USPTO's Alexandria, Virginia campus on March 21, 2013.
International Harmonization
Former USPTO Director Kappos described international
harmonization as "the alignment of laws and procedures among
intellectual property systems to ensure consistency and clarity of
rights for the world's innovators." Kappos promoted
harmonization as a way to offer "consistent, cost-effective
avenues to obtain reliable patent rights in
