Data / Federal rules / 2025-10498
Discontinuation of the Accelerated Examination Program for Utility Applications
The Patent and Trademark Office published this final rule in the Federal Register on June 10, 2025. It took effect on July 10, 2025.
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What the agency says
In order to efficiently allocate examination-related resources to address pendency, and in view of the low number of requests for Accelerated Examination and the availability of a statutory program to expedite the prosecution of applications (Track One, prioritized examination), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is discontinuing the Accelerated Examination program for utility applications. The USPTO is also modifying the rules of practice to clarify the grounds for which a petition to make special may be granted and when a fee is required for such petition.
Key facts
- Document number
- 2025-10498
- Type
- Final rule
- Action
- Final rule
- Agency
- Commerce Department; Patent and Trademark Office
- Published
- June 10, 2025
- Takes effect
- July 10, 2025
- Dates
- This rule is effective July 10, 2025. The USPTO will no longer accept petitions under the Accelerated Examination program filed on or after July 10, 2025 in utility applications.
- Docket
- Docket No. PTO-P-2025-0007
- Regulation ID (RIN)
- 0651-AD84
- Code of Federal Regulations
- 37 CFR 1
- Topics
- Administrative practice and procedure; Biologics; Courts; Freedom of information; Inventions and patents; Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; Small businesses
- Pages
- 4
Other documents from the Patent and Trademark Office
Everything from the Patent and Trademark Office · Rules on administrative practice and procedure · Rules on biologics · Rules on courts · Published in June 2025
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