USPTO Patent Initiatives

USPTO Ends Accelerated Examination for Utility Applications

The USPTO will discontinue the Accelerated Examination program for utility patent applications effective July 10, 2025. The program will continue to be available for design applications. This change impacts how applicants can seek expedited examination for utility inventions.

USPTO Increases Prioritized Patent Examination Requests Limit

Effective July 8, 2025, the USPTO has increased the annual limit for prioritized patent examination requests from 15,000 to 20,000. This change aims to expedite the patent process for a larger number of applicants seeking faster review of their utility and plant patent applications.

USPTO QPIDS Program Eliminates RCE Processing for IDS

The USPTO has permanently implemented the Quick Path Information Disclosure Statement (QPIDS) program, which eliminates the requirement for processing a Request for Continued Examination (RCE) with an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) filed after the issue fee payment. This change aims to streamline patent prosecution and reduce pendency.

USPTO AI Search Automated Pilot Program (ASAP!)

The USPTO is launching the Artificial Intelligence Search Automated Pilot Program (ASAP!) to evaluate automated pre-examination searches for patent applications. The program will provide applicants with an Automated Search Results Notice (ASRN) and has received 169 petitions, with 76 granted so far.

USPTO Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program Details

The USPTO is launching the Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program, effective October 27, 2025, to evaluate the impact of limited claims on examination quality and pendency. Eligible utility patent applications can be advanced for examination by filing a petition and agreeing to specific claim requirements.