USPTO Postpones “Track One” Patent Processing Initiative

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has postponed the implementation of an initiative that would have provided expedited examination of patent applications.
The initiative, dubbed “Track One” and part of a broad Three-Track program intended to provide patent applicants with more filing options, was postponed due to budget cuts. The program was announced early in April and was to have been made available beginning May 4, 2011.
USPTO director David Kappos made the announcement on April 22 following the release of the Congress’ Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, which limited the USPTO’s 2011 fiscal year spending authority to $2.09 billion. Kappos provided no new date for the implementation of the program.
For more information on the Track One program or to discuss the applicability of this development to your patent portfolio, contact your Boyle Fredrickson attorney.