business methods customer partnership meeting - uspto.gov · oldest pending case in the art units...
TRANSCRIPT
Business Methods Customer Partnership Meeting
Director’s Update FY2018Tariq Hafiz
Director
Technology Center 3600
Why are we here?
The Partnership Meeting is anopportunity to bring stakeholderstogether to share ideas, experiences,and insights and to provide a forumfor an informal discussion of manytopics specific to the BusinessMethods area.
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Business Methods Art Units and SPEs
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Data Update: Top Assignees for Patent Grants in Class 705 (USPC)
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Data Update: Filing Trends in Business Methods
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0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017
Appl
icat
ions
File
d
RCE Filings Serial Filings
Data Update: Business Methods RCE Inventory Progress FY2017
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0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
Feb March April May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
BM Total RCE Inventory BM RCEs > 4 months RCEs over 5 Years
Data Update: Examiner Growth/Patent Grants
• Data on this chart represents Examiner counts at the end of a fiscal year and does not include Examiners currently in the Patent Training Academy
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Data Update: Business Methods Allowance Rates
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13.2
%
22.7
%
23.2
% 27.9
% 32.5
%
27.6
%
10.4
%
6.1%
14.5
%
22.5
%
36.9
% 39.7
%
48.3
%
56.0
%
49.1
%
18.5
%
11.0
%
23.4
%
F Y 2 0 0 9 F Y 2 0 1 0 F Y 2 0 1 1 F Y 2 0 1 2 F Y 2 0 1 3 F Y 2 0 1 4 F Y 2 0 1 5 F Y 2 0 1 6 F Y 2 0 1 7
PERC
ENT
ALLO
WED
OF
DIS
POSA
LS
FISCAL YEAR
AllowanceRate withRCE Disp
AllowanceRatewithoutRCE Disp
Data Update: Business Methods Pendency in Class 705 (USPC)
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15.9 15.6
20.2
24.127.2
31.429.4 30.3
33.3
36.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Mon
ths
End of Year (FY)
Pendency in Class 705 (USPC)
Pendency to 1st Action Pendency to Issue/Aban
Oldest Pending Case in the Art Units (MPEP §707.02)• Managers are reviewing the prosecution history of
the oldest pending cases in their Workgroups to resolve any outstanding issues and advance prosecution.
• Proactive approach that results in improving pendency and customer satisfaction.
• Examiners can receive the assistance, when necessary, to get the case back on track.
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Business Methods Initiatives
Bank of Hours
• This bank of hours serves as additional training time to allow Examiners to learn and apply methods from various 35 U.S.C. 101 training topics.
• The initiative has been instrumental in increasing the knowledge and experience of Patent Examiners and in effectively addressing case specific 35 USC 101 related arguments.
• We are continuing the bank of training hours for the Business Methods areas on a case by case basis.
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Business Methods Initiatives
Training• Office-wide training is provided to all SPEs and
Examiners
• Topic specific modules are provided to Art Units and Workgroups as needed
• Resources including SPEs, Quality Assurance Specialists, Appeals Specialists, Primary Examiners, and TC Trainers assist with presenting training
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Business Methods Initiatives
Business Methods has hosted various large and small technology leaders across diverse industry sectors. Recently:
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Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP)
Interested participants should contact the USPTO and identify their area of expertise by filling out the online form available at:
• https://www.uspto.gov/PatentExaminerTechTraining, or • By sending an email to
In an effort to allow for more flexibility in delivering training for those who elect not to travel, training can be delivered using webinars (web-based seminars) in this program.
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Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP)
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Business Methods Webpage Updatewww.uspto.gov/businessmethods
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• Consistent, good traffic on the webpage 3,200 total pageviews since launch 650 average pageviews per month 500 unique pageviews per month
• 3 minutes spent on average visiting the web page, which is significant
• 240 visitors accessed the Guidance and training materials section, indicating usefulness
• New content creates continuing interest in the webpage
Business Methods Webpage Updatewww.uspto.gov/businessmethods
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Sep 17 Oct 17 Nov 17 Dec 17 Jan 18
607532 510
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651 646753
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Business Methods Webpage Traffic
Unique Pageviews Pageviews
The Patents Ombudsman Program enhances the USPTO’s ability to assist applicants or their representatives with issues that arise during patent application prosecution.
Contact info:• Email: [email protected]• Website: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/ombudsman/jsp• Phone: 571-272-5555 or 1-855-559-8589 (toll free)
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Resources: Patent Ombudsman Program
Interview Specialists are subject matter experts in each Technology Center (TC) on interview practice and policy. They are available to assist both applicants and examiners in interviews, as needed, including facilitating interviews by assisting with technical issues which may arise (e.g. WebEx problems, public interview room setup) and helping to ensure that the interview goes smoothly.
Contact info:• Email: [email protected]
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Resources: Interview Specialist
The IAC provides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners, experienced primary patent examiners, various intellectual property specialists, and attorneys who can answer general questions concerning patent examining policy and procedure.
Contact info:• Phone: 571-272-1000 or 1-800-786-9199 (toll free)
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Resources: Inventors Assistance Center (IAC)
Call for topics, presenters and panelist
If you are interested in participating ina future Partnership Meeting or haveideas for future topics please email usyour contact information along withpotential discussion topics.
Email: [email protected] or fillout the speaker interest form on theBusiness Methods website
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Questions?
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