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ARTICLE · 05 JULY 2012

Where We Stand On Patent Reform

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It has been nine months since President Obama signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act into law on September 16, 2011.

United StatesIntellectual Property
Courtenay Brinckerhoff
Courtenay Brinckerhoff
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It has been nine months since President Obama signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act into law on September 16, 2011. In just under three months, the next phase of changes will take effect on September 16, 2012, and in just under nine months, the final phase of changes will take effect on March 16, 2013. Have you taken any steps to get ready yet?

Changes Already In Effect

The following changes took effect on September 16, 2011 or shortly thereafter:

  • Track I prioritized examination available for a fee of $4800/$2400 for new applications or RCEs.
    (For more information on the Track I programs, see this article.)
  • Ban On Tax Strategy Patents—effective September 16, 2011 and applicable to pending applications.

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