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DOC/PTO RIN: 0651-AD68 Publication ID: Fall 2023 
Title: Rules Governing Pre-Issuance Internal Circulation and Review of Decisions Within the Patent Trial and Appeal Board 
Abstract:

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) would amend 37 CFR to add part 43 to govern decision circulation and review within the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) for all areas of jurisdiction of the PTAB, including America Invents Act (AIA) proceedings, appeals, and interferences. Since May of 2022, the USPTO has been using an interim process for PTAB decision circulation and internal PTAB review. The processes were put in place in recognition that it is important to stakeholders that the USPTO maintain a consistent and clear approach to substantive areas of patent law and PTAB-specific procedures, while maintaining open decision-making processes.  The USPTO issued a Request for Comments in July 2022 to obtain public feedback on the interim processes. This proposal was developed in consideration of the public feedback the USPTO received in response to the Request for Comments.

 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 37 CFR 43   
Legal Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2)    35 U.S.C. 6    35 U.S.C. 21    35 U.S.C. 23    35 U.S.C. 41    35 U.S.C. 135    35 U.S.C. 311 to 316    35 U.S.C. 321 to 326    Pub. L. 112-29    Pub. L. 112-274   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Request for Comments  07/20/2022  87 FR 43249   
Comment Period End  09/19/2022 
NPRM  10/06/2023  88 FR 69578   
NPRM Comment Period End  12/05/2023 
Final Action  01/00/2024 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Melissa Haapala
Vice Chief Administrative Patent Judge
Department of Commerce
Patent and Trademark Office
P.O. Box 1450,
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
Phone:303 297-4301
Fax:571 273-0053
Email: melissa.haapala@uspto.gov