USPTO to Host PRPS Preview, First-to-File Roundtable Sept. 6

By Robyn Hagan Cain on August 31, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is hosting two events on Thursday, September 6, to discuss the America Invents Act (AIA) changes to the U.S. patent process.

First up is a preview of the Patent Review Processing System (PRPS) — USPTO's new electronic filing system — at 10 a.m. EST, followed by a First-Inventor-to-File Roundtable at 1:30 p.m. EST. Both events will be available via webinar.

At the PRPS preview, representatives from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board will demonstrate the system, including how to:

  • Register to use the system
  • File a petition seeking a trial
  • Pay petition fees
  • Join the proceeding as a patent owner
  • File motions and other documents.

Here is the link to the WebEx event address for the PRPS preview. To log in, you'll need the event number (991 880 392) and the event password (123456).

If you plan on filing documents in the new system, this will probably be helpful. Both in-person and webcast participants will have an opportunity to ask questions during the preview.

The preview will end at 12 p.m. EST, so you can take a break for lunch, and then log back on for the First-Inventor-to-File Roundtable at 1:30 EST.

At the roundtable, the USPTO will discuss its proposed rules and proposed examination guidelines to implement the first-inventor-to-file provision. The feds want your feedback during this event. In addition to the patent community participants who are pre-scheduled to give commentary, there will be a scheduled opportunity for unscheduled commentary.

The complete agenda for the roundtable is available here, along with the WebEx access information. (The event number is 997 151 983 and the event password is 123456.)

Separate from the roundtable, the USPTO is accepting written comments about the proposed rules and proposed examination guidelines until October 5, 2012. You can email comments about the proposed rules to fitf_rules@uspto.gov and comments about the proposed examination guidelines to fitf_guidance@uspto.gov.

If you're in the D.C. area and interested in attending either of the sessions in person, both events will be held at the USPTO's Alexandria, Va. campus.

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