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ARTICLE · 08 JULY 2020

USPTO Offers New Fast Track Appeals Pilot Program

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The USPTO has initiated a new pilot program for expediting ex parte appeals from examiner rejections. Under the Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program...

United StatesIntellectual Property
Courtenay Brinckerhoff
Courtenay Brinckerhoff
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The USPTO has initiated a new pilot program for expediting ex parte appeals from examiner rejections. Under the Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program, applicants can pay $400 for expedited review in which case the USPTO will endeavor to render a decision within six months. The USPTO will expedite only 125 appeals per quarter and the program is set to expire once 500 appeals have been expedited or July 2, 2021, whichever occurs earlier.

The USPTO Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program

As set forth in the July 2, 2020 Federal Register Notice, the Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program is available in ex parte appeals in which a docketing notice has been received and requires a simple petition and $400 fee. Applications already afforded special or expedited status on appeal are excluded from the program.

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