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DOC/PTO

RIN: 0651-AD05

Publication ID: Spring 2016

Title: Changes to Provide for Making the File Contents of Pending Applications Filed Before June 8, 1995 Available to the Public
Abstract: The USPTO is proposing to amend the rules of practice to make the file contents of pending applications that were filed before June 8, 1995 available to the public. Because such applications are not required to be published and access is not generally available under the current access rule, the public likely does not know whether these applications claim established science or technology that has been publicly available for decades and in widespread use. The proposed rule would grant the public access to the file contents of these applications so the public would have notice of the particular science or technology that may be removed from the public domain. In addition, the proposed rule would give the public greater opportunity to submit prior art relevant to the examination of these applications. The USPTO is also proposing to amend the rules of practice to make the file contents of applications that claim the benefit of a filing date before June 8, 1995 available to the public.
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)	Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1.1
Legal Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2)

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	05/00/2016
NPRM Comment Period End	07/00/2016
Final Rule	10/00/2016
Final Rule Effective	11/00/2016

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Raul Tamayo Department of Commerce Patent and Trademark Office 600 Dulany Street, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313 Phone:571 272-7728 Fax:571 273-7728 Email: raul.tamayo@uspto.gov