The United States Patent and Trademark Office has announced a new pilot program to accelerate the examination of certain “green” technology patent applications.  The Patent Office’s release is provided here.

Effective December 8, 2009, the first 3,000 pending patent applications related to specifically identified green technologies for which a petition is filed are eligible to be accorded special status and given expedited examination.  The broad categories of eligible patent applications are: alternative energy production, energy conservation, environmentally friendly farming, environmental purification, protection or remediation.  The accelerated examination of these patent applications is intended to reduce the pendency of eligible patent applications by an average of one year – from 40 to 28 months from date of filing to the final decision.  Additional details regarding the program are provided in the Federal Register.

Richards Patent Law is proud to work with a number of clients who focus on innovative green technologies and other environmentally friendly and sustainable inventions.  If you are interested in learning more about the pilot program or any of the patent services I offer, please contact me for a free consultation.

Tags: patent examination, patent law, uspto