Changes To Implement the Technical Corrections to the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act as to Inter Partes Review
other · US Patent and Trademark Office · Published 2013-03-25 · Effective 2013-03-25 · 78 FR 17871
Document
Document number
2013-06768
Federal Register citation
78 FR 17871
CFR reference
37 CFR 42
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
other
Sub-agency
US Patent and Trademark Office
Publication date
2013-03-25
Effective date
2013-03-25
Commerce docket
Docket No. PTO-P-2013-0003
Abstract
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office or USPTO) is revising the rules of practice to implement the changes with respect to inter partes review that are set forth in section 1(d) of the Act to correct and improve certain provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act and title 35, United States Code ("AIA Technical Corrections Act"). Consistent with the statutory changes, this final rule eliminates the nine-month "dead zone" for filing an inter partes review petition challenging a first-to-invent patent or reissue patent. Under the final rule, a petitioner may file an inter partes review petition challenging a first-to-invent patent or reissue patent upon issuance, including during the first nine months after issuance.