When did the American Inventors Protection Act (AIPA) come into effect and how did it change patent application publication?
The American Inventors Protection Act (AIPA) was enacted on November 29, 1999, and it significantly changed the publication rules for patent applications. According to MPEP 901.03:
“The AIPA amended 35 U.S.C. 122 to provide that, with certain exceptions, applications for patent filed on or after November 29, 2000 shall be published promptly after the expiration of a period of eighteen (18) months from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is sought under title 35, United States Code, and that an application may be published earlier at the request of the applicant.”
This change introduced the concept of automatic publication for most patent applications, with some exceptions, after 18 months from the earliest priority date.
To learn more: