Further to our news item of 16 December 2009, the United States Patent and Trademark Office has lifted certain restrictions on the subject matter required for expedited examination of green technology patent applications.
As of 21 May 2010, patent applicants may obtain expedited examination for all kinds of environmentally sound technologies.
This development signals that the USPTO wants to continue this program next year. By including references to solving environmentally relevant problems when drafting your patent application, you increase the likelihood of eligibility in this program at a later date when the application is filed in the U.S. and in other countries where expedited processing of green technology patent applications is offered.
Under the prior restrictions, only about one-third of 950 requests for expedited examination were granted. Now that the restrictions causing the prior denial of requests has been lifted, the 3,000 application quota may be reached before the end of this year. Let us know if we can assist you with taking advantage of this opportunity.