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DOC/PTO RIN: 0651-AC47 Publication ID: Fall 2010 
Title: ●Changes to Information Disclosure Statement Practice Regarding Timeliness Statement and Submission of Copies 
Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is revising information disclosure statement practice to provide applicants an additional opportunity to file an information disclosure statement (IDS) without needing to file a fee before the close of prosecution, or a request for continued examination (RCE) after the close of prosecution. In place of filing the fee or RCE, applicants will be able to submit a statement identifying that the IDS contains only information that was cited in a communication from the Office in another U.S. nonprovisional application. The Office is also revising IDS practice to eliminate the copy requirement for published U.S. nonprovisional applications and Office communications issued in published U.S. nonprovisional applications that are listed in an IDS. The changes in this notice reduce some of the burden related to the citation of Office actions and related information in an application. While this is a first step in improving IDS practice, the Office appreciates that there are further steps that could be taken to reduce the burden of IDS practice for both applicants and the Office. Therefore, the Office is inviting public comment on any aspect of IDS practice that can be improved. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Info./Admin./Other 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1   
Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Interim Final Rule  To Be Determined    
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:
Robert W. Bahr
Acting Associate Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy
Department of Commerce
Patent and Trademark Office
P.O. Box 1450,
Alexandria, VA 22313
Phone:571 272-8800
Fax:571 273-0125
Email: robert.bahr@uspto.gov