Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 14 APRIL 2026

USPTO Announces PIER Pilot Program That May Impact US National Phase Applications

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP
Explore more from Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

The US Patent & Trademark Office has introduced a new pilot program that fundamentally changes how certain PCT-based patent applications will be examined in the United States. This program creates mandatory response windows and new strategic considerations for applicants entering the US national phase. Patent applicants must now carefully evaluate their filing strategies to avoid potential pitfalls that could affect patent term adjustment or lead to abandonment.

United StatesIntellectual Property
Jeremy R. Kriegel
Jeremy R. Kriegel
Author LinkedIn connections

PCT Informed Examination Request Pilot Program

The US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a new pilot program for US national phase utility patent applications filed under 35 USC § 371 (“§ 371 applications”) (based on international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)). 91 FR 17949 (April 9, 2026). The USPTO expects the PCT Informed Examination Request (PIER) Pilot Program to help reduce backlogs and pendency of US patent applications. For § 371 applications selected for the program, the USPTO will issue a “requirement for information” that will open a 2-month window (extendable by up to an additional 4 months) to submit a signed Form PTO/SB/478. The Form PTO/SB/478 will reference “applicable PCT international work products”. These include:

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

UMG v. DistroKid: When AI Becomes A Consumer Protection Issue

Universal Music Group's lawsuit against DistroKid raises a critical question about AI disclosure in consumer markets: when does the use of artificial intelligence become material information that must be disclosed to consumers? The case centers on allegations that DistroKid distributed mass-generated AI music while creating the impression it was created by legitimate human artists, potentially violating existing consumer protection laws even without specific AI disclosure requirements.
United StatesIntellectual Property
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Article

PTAB/USPTO Update - October 2026

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
WilmerHale
WilmerHale
Article

The Trademark Scam Field Guide: Look-Alike Filing Sites, Fake USPTO Notices, And How To Get Out If You’ve Been Caught

A business decides to file a trademark. Someone on the team searches for a familiar online legal-services brand, clicks the first result, and lands on a site with a similar-sounding name, a polished design, five-star reviews, and a low flat fee. The application gets filed. Months later the business learns the “service” was not who they thought it was, the filing was signed by someone with no authority to sign it, and the USPTO has suspended the application along with hundreds or thousands of others from the same shop.
United StatesIntellectual Property
Harness IP
Harness IP
Article

Is This Real? Navigating AI Impersonation Under New And Existing Laws

Is this AI-generated, or is it real? As generative AI tools have become increasingly capable of creating realistic images, videos, and audio, they have also made it easier to impersonate real people without their consent. In response, states are increasingly adopting laws that impose civil and criminal liability for certain AI-generated content that replicates an individual’s identity, likeness, voice, or other personal attributes.
United StatesIntellectual Property
Wiley Rein
Wiley Rein