Monthly Minute | Design Patents
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) Prioritized Patent Examination Program, known as the Track-1 Program, provides an accelerated patent application examination in exchange for additional filing fees to those...more
The U.S. Patent Office’s program for expedited examination of design applications under 37 CFR 1.155 (often called the design “rocket docket”), which was suspended earlier this year, was formally canceled in an amended...more
On July 7, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) announced that, starting July 8, 2025, the Office will be increasing the number of prioritized patent examination requests that may be accepted from...more
Recently, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced that they have completed a comprehensive patent fee review, concluding that fees must go up—some of them significantly. This is primarily due to the discounts provided...more
Canadian Patent Examination - Significant fee increases will be effective at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (“CIPO”) on October 3, 2022 related to excess claims (claims over 20) and the number of examination...more
Due within 5 years of international filing date or within 2-months of issuance of a Direction to Request Examination, whichever is earliest (additional $1800). Excess fees of $125 for each claim over 20 are payable at...more
Recently, the government of Canada published the final version of the new Patent Rules (SOR/2019-251) in Canada Gazette, Part II on July 10, 2019. The new Rules and associated amendments to the Patent Act will come into force...more