# Transitional Program for Covered Business Method Patents-Definitions of Covered Business Method Patent and Technological Invention
> **US Patent and Trademark Office** · Final rule. · Published 2012-08-14 · Effective 2012-09-16 · 77 FR 48734
## Document
- **Document number:** 2012-17904
- **Category:** bis-export-control
- **Sub-agency:** US Patent and Trademark Office
- **Federal Register citation:** 77 FR 48734
- **CFR reference:** 37 CFR 42
- **Publication date:** 2012-08-14
- **Effective date:** 2012-09-16
- **Commerce docket:** Docket No. PTO-P-2011-0087
## Abstract

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) is revising the rules of practice to implement the provision of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act ("AIA") that requires the Office to issue regulations for determining whether a patent is for a technological invention in a transitional post-grant review proceeding for covered business method patents. The provision of the AIA will take effect on September 16, 2012, one year after the date of enactment. The AIA provides that this provision and any regulations issued under the provision will be repealed on September 16, 2020, with respect to any new petitions under the transitional program.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/08/14/2012-17904/transitional-program-for-covered-business-method-patents-definitions-of-covered-business-method)
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