Today, the USPTO published the proposed rules and examination guidelines for the first-to-file provision of the America Invents Act (AIA). This was a much debated change in U.S. patent law from first to invent. PDF copies of the PTO's proposed rules and examination guidelines and discussion on how this will impact novelty and obviousness can be obtained by clicking on the following links:
First-Inventor-to-File Proposed Rules
First-Inventor-to-File Proposed Examination Guidelines
Public comment on the proposed rules and guidelines are due no later than October 5, 2012, and the final rules will become effective on March 16, 2013.
Copyright © 2012 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.
