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ARTICLE · 15 DECEMBER 2021

USPTO To Propose Paperless Patents

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In a Director's Forum blog post published December 10, 2021, the USPTO announced plans to issue proposed rule changes relating to the format in which U.S. patents are issued...

United StatesIntellectual Property
Courtenay Brinckerhoff
Courtenay Brinckerhoff
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In a Director's Forum blog post published December 10, 2021, the USPTO announced plans to issue proposed rule changes relating to the format in which U.S. patents are issued, making electronic patents the norm, with something akin to today's ribboned copies available upon request (and for a nominal fee). Many of you reading this may wonder what took so long, but as with many government agency practices, it turns out there's a statute that had to be reckoned with before the USPTO could go paperless.

Issue of Patent

Chapter 14 of 35 U.S.C. relates to "Issue of Patent." 35 USC § 153 provides:

Patents shall be issued in the name of the United States of America, under the seal of the Patent and Trademark Office, and shall be signed by the Director or have his signature placed thereon and shall be recorded in the Patent and Trademark Office.

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