Episode description
PTO 'whistleblower' Julie Burke and patent prosecution guru Clint Mehall join Eli on the season finale of Clause 8 to break down what’s happening at the USPTO—and what’s still left to be done.
On this episode, they discuss:
*Insights from the Reddit r/patentexaminer thread
*Previous and current plans to reduce the record patent application backlog
*Should the USPTO withdraw patent eligibility example 47 for AI?
*Previous administration’s decision to end AFCP program and ideas for variation of AFCP program to help reduce the backlog
*Misguided priorities and personnel decisions during last administration
*Improving morale and performance of examiners
*Adjusting credit system & improving culture to help examiners identify allowable subject matter
*Choice of Valencia Wallace Smith as Acting Commissioner for Patents
*USPTO’s decision to deprioritize examination of continuation patent applications
*USPTO rescinding memorandum for discretionary denials at PTAB and Director taking over handling of the requests for discretionary denials
*Aligning post-grant proceedings at PTAB with mission of USPTO
*Suggestions about switching to a registration system for patents that does not require examination
And, much more!
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