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ARTICLE · 05 APRIL 2016

The USPTO Patent Quality Checklist

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In furtherance of its efforts to improve patent quality, the USPTO has issued a request for comments on new patent quality metrics being developed for implementation in 2017.

United StatesIntellectual Property
Courtenay Brinckerhoff
Courtenay Brinckerhoff
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In furtherance of its efforts to improve patent quality, the USPTO has issued a request for comments on new patent quality metrics being developed for implementation in 2017. As set forth in the March 25, 2016 Federal Register Notice, the new metrics will focus on the correctness and clarity of Office Actions, and will be implemented using a "Master Review Form" questionnaire. The USPTO has asked that written comments be sent to [email protected] by May 27, 2016.

The Patent Quality Master Review Form

The Master Review Form is a 25 page questionnaire with questions about the Examiner's search and examination work product, including the type(s) of search done, the type(s) of rejections made, and "omitted rejections" that should have been made. For each type of rejection made, there are questions regarding correctness and clarity.

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