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ARTICLE · 07 NOVEMBER 2025

PTAB/USPTO Update - November 2025

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On October 17, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires issued an open letter with an attached memorandum explaining that effective October 20, 2025...

United StatesIntellectual Property
David L. Cavanaugh
David L. Cavanaugh
Heather M. Petruzzi
Heather M. Petruzzi
Brian Lambson PhD
Brian Lambson PhD
Alexander Nemtzow
Alexander Nemtzow
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USPTO Operations

USPTO Leadership & Staffing

  • Gabrielle White has assumed the role of Special Advisor for Communications.

Changes to IPR Institution Process

  • On October 17, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires issued an open letter with an attached memorandum explaining that effective October 20, 2025, the Director will assume responsibility for determining whether to institute inter partes and post-grant review proceedings (IPR and PGR) in consultation with PTAB judges. Under the new procedure, except in cases involving novel or important factual or legal issues, the Director will issue a summary decision granting or denying institution without specifically addressing discretionary factors or the merits of the petition. According to the memo, this change was implemented to enhance consistency, transparency, and adherence to

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