US - USPTO publishes measure to improve patent quality

This week the UPTSO published new rules requiring applicants to use greater precision in describing the scope of their inventions. The new rules that come into place on 1 November 2007 are hoped to improve the quality of patents by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of patent examination.

“Under the new rules, applicants may file two new continuing applications and one request for continued examination as a matter of right. Also, under the new rules, each application may contain up to 25 claims, with no more than five of them independent claims, without any additional effort on the part of the applicant. Beyond these thresholds, however, the new rules require applicants to show why an additional continuation is necessary or to provide supplementary information relevant to the claimed invention to present additional claims.

Placing conditional boundaries on a previously unbounded process provides for more certainty and clarity in the patent process. The result is that application quality will be improved and piecemeal or protracted examination will be avoided, enhancing the quality and timeliness of both the examination process and issued patents.”

The new rules are available in the Federal Register.

Source and further information

USPTO news article - USPTO Publishes Measures to Improve Patent Quality