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.

USPTO Official Gazette Patents

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published the Official Gazette Patents, Volume 1543, Number 3, on February 17, 2026. This publication is issued weekly by authority of Congress and contains information related to patents.

USPTO Official Gazette Patents - February 24, 2026

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published its Official Gazette for Patents dated February 24, 2026. This weekly publication contains information related to patents granted by the USPTO. The document includes a disclaimer regarding potential errors or omissions.

USPTO Official Gazette Patents

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published the Official Gazette for Patents, Volume 1544, Number 1, dated March 3, 2026. This weekly publication is issued by authority of Congress and contains information related to patents.

USPTO Official Gazette Patents

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published the Official Gazette Patents, Vol. 1544, Number 2, dated March 10, 2026. This publication is issued weekly by authority of Congress and contains information related to patents.

USPTO Official Gazette Patents

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published the Official Gazette for Patents, Volume 1544, Number 3, dated March 17, 2026. This weekly publication is issued by authority of Congress and contains information related to patents.

USPTO Hour Webinars on IP, Patents, and Trademarks

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has launched a new agency-wide webinar series called "USPTO Hour." These regular sessions will cover various intellectual property topics, including patents and trademarks, featuring USPTO subject matter experts. The agency will post updates with additional events in the coming weeks.

USPTO Events Offering CLE Credits for Patent and Trademark Practitioners

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is providing information on upcoming and past events that offer continuing legal education (CLE) credits for patent and trademark practitioners. The USPTO applies for CLE credit in various states when possible, and practitioners are advised to check event descriptions or contact their state bar for credit eligibility.

Changes to Trademark Rules of Practice To Mandate Electronic Filing

The USPTO has issued a final rule mandating electronic filing for all trademark applications and related documents. This change aims to streamline the trademark process and improve efficiency. The rule is effective February 15, 2020.

USPTO Proposed Trademark Fee Adjustment

The USPTO has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to adjust certain trademark fees. The proposed changes are intended to recover the prospective aggregate costs of future strategic and operational trademark goals, with potential adjustments to take effect as early as October 2020. The agency is considering the state of the economy, its operational needs, and public comments before issuing a final rule.

USPTO Trademark Fee Adjustment

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a final rule adjusting trademark fees. This rule, published on November 17, 2020, will take effect on January 2, 2021, and impacts various trademark application and maintenance processes.

USPTO Trademark Fee Adjustment - Delay of Effective Date

The USPTO has issued a final rule delaying the effective date of certain trademark fee adjustments previously set for January 2, 2021. This rule clarifies that the fee for applications under section 66(a) of the Trademark Act, paid by international applicants designating the United States, will have its effective date delayed. The USPTO states this is a rule of agency practice and procedure.

USPTO Changes to Implement Trademark Modernization Act of 2020

The USPTO has issued a final rule to implement provisions of the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020. This rule introduces changes to trademark examination and post-examination procedures, including new grounds for cancellation and enhanced examination processes. The changes aim to streamline and modernize the trademark system.

USPTO Trademark Post-Registration Audit Selection Changes

The USPTO is amending its practice for selecting trademark registrations for post-registration audits. The agency is adding additional directed audits to its existing random audit program to enhance the accuracy and integrity of the trademark register. This policy update is effective immediately.

USPTO Setting and Adjusting Trademark Fees for FY 2025

The USPTO has issued a final rule to adjust trademark fees for fiscal year 2025. These changes will take effect on January 18, 2025, impacting various trademark application and maintenance processes. The rule aims to align fees with the cost of services provided by the USPTO.

USPTO Corrects Trademark Fee Rule for Fiscal Year 2025

The USPTO is correcting nonsubstantive errors in a final rule published on November 18, 2024, that set trademark fees for fiscal year 2025. These corrections involve adding omitted cross-references and correcting an inapplicable fee reference in Section 2.22, aiming to prevent potential confusion without altering the rule's substantive provisions. The correction is effective January 18, 2025.

USPTO Final Rule: International Registration Replacement

The USPTO is issuing a final rule to implement an amendment to the Madrid Protocol, allowing for partial replacement of earlier national trademark registrations with international registrations. This change aligns U.S. regulations with international treaty amendments adopted by the Madrid Union Assembly.

USPTO Final Rule on International Trademark Classification Changes

The USPTO is issuing a final rule to incorporate classification changes adopted by the Nice Agreement concerning the international classification of goods and services for trademark registration. These changes, effective January 1, 2026, will revise Section 6.1 of 37 CFR Part 6 to reflect updates to the Nice Classification system.

USPTO Subject Matter Eligibility Declarations Memo

The USPTO issued a memorandum on December 4, 2025, to the Patent Examining Corps regarding subject matter eligibility under Section 101. The memo highlights the precedential Appeals Review Panel decision in re Desjardins and clarifies the application of the Alice framework, emphasizing that improvements in computational performance can constitute patent-eligible advancements. It also reminds examiners and applicants of the existing Subject Matter Eligibility Declaration (SMED) option.

USPTO Guidance on Best Practices for Subject Matter Eligibility Declarations

The USPTO issued guidance on best practices for submitting Subject Matter Eligibility Declarations (SMEDs) under 37 CFR 1.132. The guidance encourages applicants to submit SMEDs as separate documents, distinct from declarations addressing other issues like obviousness, to clarify evidence relevant to patent eligibility under 35 U.S.C. § 101.

USPTO Memo on Patent Eligibility Under 35 U.S.C. § 101

The USPTO issued a memo to its patent examining corps regarding changes to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) in light of the precedential decision Ex Parte Desjardins. This update clarifies patent eligibility under 35 U.S.C. § 101, particularly for claims related to machine learning and artificial intelligence, by referencing existing precedent like Enfish and McRO.

USPTO Guidance on Examining Functional Claim Limitations

The USPTO has released video training on examining functional claim limitations in computer-implemented inventions. This training is intended to assist patent examiners in their review process.

USPTO Computer-Based Training on Restriction Practice

The USPTO has released a computer-based training module on restriction practice for its examiners. This training aims to standardize the application of restriction requirements in patent examinations.

USPTO Patent Legal Administration Notice: Comment Period Extension

The USPTO has issued a notice to extend the public comment period for its supplemental guidance on examining design patent applications related to computer-generated electronic images. This notice provides an additional 30 days for comments, with the new deadline set for November 18, 2024.

USPTO Guidance on Design Patent Applications for Computer-Generated Images

The USPTO has issued supplemental guidance for its personnel regarding the examination of design patent applications that include computer-generated images, icons, and graphical user interfaces. This guidance reflects current USPTO practice and is effective immediately.

USPTO Guidance for Design Patents on Computer-Generated Interfaces

The USPTO has issued new guidance for the examination of design patent applications related to computer-generated interfaces and icons. This guidance, effective March 13, 2026, outlines procedures for examiners and applies to all relevant applications filed on or after this date.

USPTO and Cade Museum Collaborate on Inventor Videos

The USPTO has partnered with the Cade Museum to release a series of educational videos exploring Thanksgiving through the lens of innovation and intellectual property. The videos aim to teach families about patents and trademarks using everyday kitchen inventions as examples.

USPTO Trademark Center Replaces TEAS for Applications

The USPTO announced that the new Trademark Center will replace the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) for all trademark applications starting January 18, 2025. The Trademark Center, currently in beta, aims to provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience for trademark applicants and owners.

Isoniazid Tablet Price Increase in Kansas 340B Program

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has announced a 252% price increase for isoniazid (INH) tablets within its 340B program. This notice advises healthcare providers to prioritize alternative TB treatments for latent infections to preserve INH stock for active TB cases.

Meningitis Patient Factsheet and Vaccination Advice

The MHRA has published a patient factsheet on meningitis, providing information on the condition, its causes, symptoms, and the role of vaccination. The guidance also advises on reporting vaccine side effects through the Yellow Card scheme.

Broadcast Music v. Concert Promoters - Antitrust Licensing Fees

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court's judgment regarding music licensing fees set by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) for the North American Concert Promoters Association (NACPA). The court found the imposed rates and expanded definition of gross revenues to be unreasonable, remanding the case for further proceedings.

United States v. William Jimenez - Sentencing Conditions Appeal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's judgment sentencing William Jimenez to 105 months imprisonment for possessing ammunition after a felony conviction. The court upheld the imposition of three special conditions of supervised release, including electronic device searches, community service, and mental health counseling.

Safdieh v. Commissioner - Tax Court Ruling on Penalties

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a Tax Court decision, holding that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue may assess penalties under I.R.C. § 6038(b) for failure to report control of foreign businesses. This ruling allows the IRS to collect the $50,000 in penalties assessed against Joseph Safdieh through administrative assessment rather than requiring a federal district court judgment.

United States v. Aryeetey - Felon in Possession of Firearm Appeal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence of Ivanjoel Aryeetey for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court found no abuse of discretion in admitting DNA evidence despite disclosure deadline issues and deemed the sentence substantively reasonable.

Miller v. Lamanna - Discrimination Case Appeal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court's dismissal of a discrimination and retaliation case brought by a former corrections officer against supervisory employees. The appellate court found the district court erred by converting a summary judgment motion into a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, considering only the complaint's allegations.

Peña Garcia v. Department of Labor - Workers' Compensation

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied a petition for review filed by Luis Peña Garcia, who sought reimbursement for medical cannabis-infused edibles under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. The court affirmed the Department of Labor's decision, citing the Controlled Substances Act's classification of marijuana as a Schedule I substance with no accepted medical use under federal law.

Bugliotti v. Republic of Argentina - Sovereign Bond Dispute

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals partially affirmed and partially vacated a district court judgment in Bugliotti v. Republic of Argentina. The court held that some bondholders' claims for defaulted sovereign bonds were timely under New York's COVID-era tolling provisions and that collateral estoppel did not bar relitigation of certain issues. The case is remanded for further proceedings.

GEICO v. Mayzenberg - Insurance No-Fault Benefits

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court judgment in favor of GEICO in GEICO v. Mayzenberg. The court ruled that GEICO could not deny no-fault medical benefits based on alleged patient referral kickbacks, citing a New York Court of Appeals decision that clarified the scope of the Eligibility Regulation.

Sacaza v. City of New York - Qualified Immunity Ruling

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's denial of summary judgment for a New York City detective, finding that arguable probable cause existed for the arrest and charges. This decision grants qualified immunity to the detective on federal claims related to false arrest and malicious prosecution.

Jin v. City of New York - Qualified Immunity Appeal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's denial of qualified immunity to NYPD officers in a false arrest lawsuit. The court found that arguable probable cause existed for the arrest of Guo Hua Jin, overturning the district court's decision and dismissing the false arrest claim against the officers.

Asylum Denial for Sri Lankan National - Material Support Bar

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals granted in part a petition for review concerning the denial of asylum and withholding of removal for a Sri Lankan national. The court remanded the case to the Board of Immigration Appeals to determine eligibility for relief, excluding the material support bar, due to procedural issues.

Suarez v. Sullivan - Eighth Amendment Conditions of Confinement

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the District Court's grant of summary judgment in Suarez v. Sullivan. The court found genuine disputes of material fact regarding the plaintiff's Eighth Amendment claims of deliberate indifference to his conditions of confinement and medical needs, remanding the case for further proceedings.

2nd Circuit Court of Appeals Opinions for Cases 23-258 and 23-354

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has issued opinions related to cases 23-258 and 23-354. The court denied a petition for rehearing en banc in case 23-258, with opinions concurring and dissenting from the denial. The document also indicates opinions were issued for case 23-354.

Russell v. Scott - Constitutional Rights of Pretrial Detainees

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Russell v. Scott that a corrections officer's alleged sexual abuse of a pretrial detainee violates the Fourteenth Amendment. The court clarified the distinct legal standards for pretrial detainees versus convicted prisoners and affirmed the denial of qualified immunity to the officer.

Kellogg v. Nichols - NY Concealed Carry Licenses

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued an amended opinion in Kellogg v. Nichols, reaffirming that state court judges have absolute immunity when ruling on concealed carry license applications. The court also held that claims for injunctive and declaratory relief against such judges in their official capacities are barred by Article III's case-or-controversy requirement.

USPTO Patent Grant for Polypeptide Reagent Kit

The USPTO has granted a patent (US12578329B2) to Shimadzu Corporation for a reagent kit containing polypeptides designed for detecting intermolecular interactions. The patent details specific amino acid sequences and their modifications for use in this kit.

USPTO Patent Grant: Canine TK1 Protein Determination Kit

The USPTO has granted patent US12578340B2 to ALERTIX VETERINARY DIAGNOSTICS AB for a kit to determine canine TK1 protein levels. The kit utilizes specific monoclonal antibodies to detect peptides from canine TK1.

USPTO Patent for Alzheimer's Detection Kits

The USPTO has granted a patent (US12578344B2) to NEUROQUEST LTD. for compositions, kits, and methods for detecting preclinical Alzheimer's Disease. The patent covers binding agents for biomarkers such as CD163 and scavenger receptors, and methods for diagnosing AD and assessing therapeutic efficacy.

USPTO Grants Patent for Single Molecule Peptide Sequencing

The USPTO has granted a patent (US12578345B2) to The University of Texas System for methods of single molecule peptide sequencing. The patent covers techniques for identifying polypeptide sequences within a mixture by immobilizing, labeling, and analyzing the polypeptide.

Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC Awarded Patent for Anti-lock Hinged Device

The USPTO has granted Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC a patent for an anti-lock hinged device. The patent, US12577979B2, describes a mechanism designed to prevent over-extension in hinged devices. The filing date for this patent application was October 23, 2023.