Hampshire County Council Contract Award: Independent Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council has awarded a contract for Independent Fostering Agencies to Action for Children. The contract, identified by notice number 2026/S 000-026024, covers standard foster placements and is valued at £0 excluding VAT, with individual placements made as needed. The contract period is from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2030, with an option for an 8-year extension.

Hampshire County Council Awards Fostering Agency Contracts

Hampshire County Council has awarded contracts to independent fostering agencies to support looked-after children. The notice, published on March 22, 2026, details the award for standard foster placements to LOTUS FOSTER CARE LTD, with contracts expected to run from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2030.

Hampshire County Council Contract Award: Independent Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council has awarded a contract for Independent Fostering Agencies to support looked-after children. The notice, published on March 22, 2026, details the call-off procedure and includes a specific award for Sunbeam Fostering Agency Limited. The contract aims to provide fostering arrangements for various needs, including standard placements, parent & child, complex behaviours, disabilities, and separated children.

Hampshire Council Awards Contract for Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council has awarded a contract for independent fostering agencies to support looked-after children. The contract, published on March 22, 2026, is a multi-lot call-off that will remain open for new suppliers throughout its term.

Hampshire County Council Awards Contract for Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council has awarded a contract for independent fostering agencies to ORANGE GROVE FOSTERCARE LTD. This award is part of a multi-lot call-off to support looked-after children within the county, with placements expected to begin on April 1, 2026.

Hampshire County Council Awards Fostering Agency Contract

Hampshire County Council has awarded a contract for independent fostering agencies to support looked-after children. The contract, published on March 22, 2026, is a multi-lot call-off open to new and existing suppliers throughout its life.

Hampshire County Council Independent Fostering Agencies Call Off Notice

Hampshire County Council has published a contract award notice for Independent Fostering Agencies (call off) services. This notice details the award to LIBERTY FOSTER CARE LIMITED for standard foster placements, with an estimated contract value of £0 excluding VAT. The contract is set to run from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2030, with a possible extension.

Hampshire County Council Awards Contract for Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council has awarded a contract for independent fostering agencies to support looked-after children. The contract, published on March 22, 2026, aims to secure local placements and includes provisions for various placement types and ongoing supplier applications.

Hampshire County Council Awards Contract for Independent Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council has awarded a contract for Independent Fostering Agencies to Foster Care Associates Limited. This contract is part of a multi-lot call-off to support looked-after children within the county, with potential extensions up to eight years.

Hampshire County Council Awards Contract for Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council has awarded a contract for independent fostering agencies to support looked-after children. The contract, which includes multiple lots for different placement needs, was published on March 22, 2026, with an award decision date of February 24, 2026.

Jennyfields Sports Area Contract Awarded by North Yorkshire Council

North Yorkshire Council has published a contract award notice for the Jennyfields Sports Area project. The contract, valued at £68,000 excluding VAT, was awarded to AXO LEISURE LTD for improvements including court resurfacing and fencing, with work scheduled from April to May 2026.

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.

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.