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ARTICLE · 17 DECEMBER 2025

USPTO Signals Strong Support For Patent Eligibility In Cutting-Edge Technologies

Duane Morris LLP
Duane Morris LLP
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Since taking office, the director has taken a series of actions that together mark a turning point in the treatment of subject matter eligibility.

United StatesIntellectual Property
Agatha Liu
Agatha Liu
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The USPTO's new director, John A. Squires, has moved quickly to set a tone on subject matter eligibility. Within days of confirmation, he signed patents in distributed ledger technology and medical diagnostics (September 23, 2025). Shortly thereafter, he designated an Appeals Review Panel decision addressing AI as precedential (November 4, 2025). Most recently, he reminded examiners of the evidentiary role of declarations using examples in AI (December 4, 2025).

Squires has singled out AI, distributed ledger technologies and diagnostics as prime areas of innovation that merit patent protection. Companies, investors and other stakeholders are closely watching how the USPTO's active guidance may better align patent practice with the ingenuity and societal benefits these technologies represent.

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Disclaimer: This Alert has been prepared and published for informational purposes only and is not offered, nor should be construed, as legal advice. For more information, please see the firm's full disclaimer.

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