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ARTICLE · 27 OCTOBER 2026

PTAB/USPTO Update - October 2026

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The USPTO has released new templates and guidance for AIA trial proceedings, announced key appointments including a Chief AI Officer, and published updated procedures for patent applications and subject matter eligibility declarations. Director Squires delivered multiple addresses emphasizing the constitutional importance of intellectual property rights while the agency expanded its community engagement efforts and international collaboration through WIPO's Global IP Assignment Platform pilot program.

United StatesIntellectual Property
David L. Cavanaugh
David L. Cavanaugh
Heather M. Petruzzi
Heather M. Petruzzi
Alexander Nemtzow
Alexander Nemtzow
Patrick Nyman, PhD
Patrick Nyman, PhD
Jeffrey Wu
Jeffrey Wu
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USPTO News

  • On September 11, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) announced the addition of two templates with companion guidance (and a glossary) that will now be available for America Invents Act (AIA) trial proceedings. One template is for an AIA trial petition, and the other template is for the patent owner response and patent owner preliminary response. The announcement stated that “[t]he templates set forth the typical parts of each type of filing and the companion guidance explains the information to be provided in each part.”
  • On September 15, the USPTO discussed Director Squires’ delivered remarks at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law 3rd Annual Washington D.C. Conference. Director Squires’ remarks included discussions of the historical importance of IP and innovation to the United States. Director Squires also referenced a federal court of appeals decision on trademarks (referring to Clemente Props., Inc. v. Pierluisi-Urrutia, 165 F.4th 1 (1st

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