To facilitate claim amendments in inter partes, post-grant and
covered business method patent reviews (collectively AIA trials),
the USPTO on October 29, 2018, published a request for comment ("RFC") on a
proposed procedure for filing motions to amend in AIA trials. For
our previous discussion of the RFC, see here.
In response to comments, on March 15, 2019, the USPTO issued a
notice of a new pilot
program for motion to amend ("MTA") practice. See
also our report highlighting
the features of this program. The pilot program applies to all AIA
trials instituted on or after March 15, 2019. The USPTO anticipates
reassessing the pilot program in about one year.
The pilot program provides two new options for a patent owner:
(1) choose to receive preliminary guidance from the Board on its
MTA and (2) choose to file a revised MTA after receiving the
petitioner's opposition to the original MTA and/or receiving
the Board's preliminary guidance (if requested). Soon after